Until the mid 1970s the phrase born again was used exclusively by evangelical Christians. Then things begin to change. The then president Jimmy Carter said that he had been born again. Billy Graham wrote a book entitled “How to be Born Again.” The born again phase became popular in the media. I can remember newscasts saying that one group was Baptist, and the other group was Born Again Baptist, which made me roll my eyes. The phrase was misused by so many it’s a wonder that those that knew the true meaning was not confused.
The phrase in the media did start to change in it’s meaning. It kinda became hip to be born again. What I mean is, people found ways to use the phrase. You may have heard of a born again Republican. This phrase had nothing to do with salvation of the soul but rather a person that had newly become a Republican. And then there was a song that talked about being born again, when it came to a new romance in the singer’s life. So there is little wonder why some do not understand the phrase.
One preacher said he was talking to someone and the phrase came up and he shared that Christ Jesus was the first to use the words “born again” and his listener asked…”oh you mean it’s in the Bible”. Yes, this phrase is in the Bible, Jimmy Carter did not make up the phrase, for it is used in the Bible long before Carter said it.
It is a good phrase to use. It gives good understanding of salvation. We see it not only used by Jesus, but also the same idea is used by other writers in the Bible speaking of the new birth.
The new birth has a few words we can pull together, as we study this subject that has the same idea and meaning. Born again, regeneration, the new birth, spiritual rebirth, all mean the same thing.
Before we look at the meaning in detail, we should look at what it does not mean.
To be born again does not mean reincarnation. Maybe you have never thought of this before, but when some say they have been born again, reincarnation is what they mean. Shirley MacLaine is one that proclaims this idea. She was once Chinese in a old life, and has been born again to what she is today. This is Hindu teaching and has nothing to do with the Bible meaning. Hebrews tells us that it is appointed unto man once to die and after that is judgement. Reincarnation has no place in the Christian faith, for man dies only once.
Some may have the idea that the new birth is a dedication to do better. In other words, it is the same idea as turning over a new leaf, becoming a better person, having a fresh start. There was a now-failed movement that went around a few years ago called moral rearmament. This is the same new leaf idea, and this also is not being born again.
Some people think that a person can be born again by keeping the Ten Commandments and/or the Golden Rule. Or at least keeping most of the commandments. If this can be done, you will have a new life with God. The Bible does not allow this idea.
Galatians 3:21
…for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
The point Paul is making in this chapter is that righteousness does not come by the law be it one or many, but comes only by the grace of God. There is no law or rule or good deed to keep that will make a person born again.
Born again does not mean we will become little gods. This is a popular teaching in what I call the health and wealth gospel, which is also a heresy. You have seen the preachers mainly on TV that teach if you give money to their ministry you will have great health and great wealth. The more money you give the more wealth you will get. This doctrine only makes the false preachers rich. I said little gods, because it is the giver that demands repayment four fold, ten fold or more from God. Who is in control anyway? Rebirth does not make us little gods. This was a lie that started in the garden and some still fall for it.
Born again does not mean the after life. Some teach that the new birth is that after we die we are born again into Heaven. Groups such as the World Wide Church of God held to this idea. This has no biblical support. All passages that deal with the new birth use past tense or present tense. The passage always points to something that has already happened in the lives of the writer of the passage, or to those the writer is addressing. The new birth happens in this life and we need not wait until we die.
Another idea of the new birth that is wrong is that we are born again just like Christ is born again. Those that teach Christ was born again, will find no Biblical support. This is like saying Christ was a Christian. Christ was not a Christian. A Christian is a follower of Christ and Christ had no need to do this. Christ had no need to be born again, because He did not have the sin nature as all other men have. This is why the virgin birth is so important in our faith. The new birth is needed because of this sin nature in man, and if Christ had no sin nature the new birth is not needed. Christ was born from above from the beginning, and new birth was not needed.
There is a well-known Christmas song I want you to consider. “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem” is the song and in it you will find these words “Be born in us today.” I like the song, but this phrase is not Biblical. Christ needs not be born in us, but rather our need is to be born into His family.
So what does it mean to be born again? Let’s start by just looking at the best known passage on this subject found in the Bible. We all know it very well.
John 3
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
Next week we will break down this passage in detail.