What does it mean to be a born again Christian?
The classic passage from the Bible that
answers this question is John 3:1-21. The Lord Jesus Christ is talking to
Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin (the ruling body of
the Jews). Nicodemus had come to Jesus at night with some questions.
As Jesus talked with Nicodemus, He said, “‘I
tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’
‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot
enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell
you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water
and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to
spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, “You must be born again”’” (John 3:3-7).
The phrase "born again" literally means "born from above."
Nicodemus had a real need. He needed a change of his heart—a spiritual
transformation. New birth, being born again, is an act of God whereby eternal
life is imparted to the person who believes (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1-4, 18). John 1:12, 13 indicates that being "born
again" also carries the idea of "becoming children of God"
through trust in the name of Jesus Christ.
The question logically comes, "Why does a person need to be born
again?" The apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:1 says, "And you He made
alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins" (NKJV). To the Romans he
wrote, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Sinners are spiritually “dead”;
when they receive spiritual life through faith in Christ, the Bible likens it
to a rebirth. Only those who are born again have their sins forgiven and have a
relationship with God.
How does that come to be? Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by
grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is
the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." When one is
saved, he/she has been born again, spiritually renewed, and is now a child of God
by right of new birth. Trusting in Jesus Christ, the One who paid the penalty
of sin when He died on the cross, is the means to be "born again."
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has
gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
If you have never trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, will you
consider the prompting of the Holy Spirit as He speaks to your heart? You need
to be born again. Will you pray the prayer of repentance and become a new
creation in Christ today? "Yet to all who received him, to those who
believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children
born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but
born of God" (John 1:12-13).
If you want to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and be born again, here is a
sample prayer. Remember, saying this prayer or any other prayer will not save
you. It is only trusting in Christ that can save you from sin. This prayer is
simply a way to express to God your faith in Him and thank Him for providing
for your salvation. "God, I know that I have sinned against you and am
deserving of punishment. But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so
that through faith in Him I could be forgiven. I place my trust in You for
salvation. Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness—the gift of
eternal life! Amen!"
Have you made a decision for Christ because of what you have read here? If so,
please click on the “I have accepted Christ today” button below.
If you have any questions, please use the question form on our Bible Questions Answered page. GotQuestions.org
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