Born Again
Have you wondered about the phrase which describes certain individuals as “born again Christians”? What does that mean any way? Is a “born again Christian” in some way different than other Christians? And how exactly does a person get that way?
While the words “born again” and “Christian” are certainly found in the Bible, it is of note that they are never found together as the popular usage has it today. In fact, the phrase “born again Christian” is obviously redundant. Every person who is a Christian has, of necessity, been born again. This becomes apparent as we examine the rebirth that is described in the Scriptures.
Jesus first introduced the idea of being born again in John 3:3-5. He said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”. When asked for an explanation, He added, “except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God”. Many have wondered as to what exactly Jesus meant when He spoke of the role of water and the Spirit in the new birth. Other passages shed valuable light on this matter.
In I Peter 1:23, we read once more of being “born again”. Here Peter says we are, “born again . . . by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever”. Knowing that the Holy Spirit caused the inspired word to be written, we have thus discovered the work of the Spirit in this rebirth. His work is found in the instructions of the Scriptures which lead us to obey the Lord.
But what about the water? Look to Romans 6:4 … “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” There is the water; it is the water of baptism, from which we rise to “walk in newness of life”. Now, think for a moment: “newness of life”, that phrase speaks to us of a new birth, of being “born again”.
And so we have it, what it takes to be “born again”, “born of water and the Spirit”. It is to be instructed by God’s holy word, and to be obedient to its commands, including baptism in water.
Have you been “born again”? Or, perhaps even more simply, are you really a Christian? There is nothing mysterious about the process, as some would have you to believe. Instead, you can be born again just as every other true Christian has ever been, by learning God’s law, and obeying His commands.
– by Greg Gwin
