The new birth, also known as being born again or spiritual regeneration, refers to the moment when someone puts their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation and eternal life. This spiritual rebirth is a work of God’s grace, through the Holy Spirit, whereby a person’s heart and nature are changed and they pass from death to life (John 3:3-8; Titus 3:5).
The new birth is necessary because all people are born into this world spiritually dead in sin, separated from God (Ephesians 2:1-3). No one can enter God’s kingdom without being born again (John 3:3). Through spiritual rebirth, a person becomes a new creation in Christ, with a renewed mind and spirit (2 Corinthians 5:17). The old sinful nature is replaced with a new nature that desires to love and obey God.
The new birth comes about when a person hears the gospel of Jesus Christ and, by God’s grace, repents of sin and puts faith in Christ for salvation (Romans 10:9-10, 13-15). It is a supernatural work that we cannot accomplish ourselves. Regeneration precedes and enables repentance, faith, and obedience (1 John 5:1; Acts 11:18; Ephesians 2:8-10).
The new birth is necessary to receive eternal life, become a child of God, and enter God’s kingdom (John 1:12-13; John 3:5-8). Through Christ, we are adopted into God’s family and become heirs of the promises of God (Romans 8:15-17; Galatians 4:4-7). The Holy Spirit indwells those who are born again and empowers them to obey God and bear spiritual fruit in their lives (Romans 8:9; Galatians 5:22-23).
There are several key characteristics and evidences of someone who is born again:
- Faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (John 1:12-13)
- Repentance of sin (2 Corinthians 7:10)
- Desire to obey God and live a holy life (1 John 2:3-6)
- Love for God and other believers (1 John 3:14; 4:7-8)
- Proof of the Spirit working in their life (Galatians 5:22-23)
- Participation in the church and its ordinances (Acts 2:38, 41-42)
- Continual growth in understanding of spiritual truths (1 Corinthians 2:12-16)
In contrast to the new birth, religion, rituals, heritage, church membership, and good works do not make someone right with God. We cannot save ourselves. Salvation is by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The new birth transforms a person’s life. Becoming a Christian is not the end goal, but the starting point of a new life in Christ. Although believers will continue to struggle with sin, the Holy Spirit empowers them to grow in Christlikeness as they participate in spiritual disciplines such as Bible study, prayer, fellowship, serving, and sharing their faith. The ultimate goal is being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
In summary, the new birth refers to the spiritual transformation that occurs when someone repents of sin and believes in Jesus Christ as Savior. This regeneration is a work of God, through the Holy Spirit. It enables people to receive eternal life, become children of God, and begin a lifelong journey of faith and obedience for God’s glory.
Why do we need to be born again?
We need to be born again because of the effects of sin on the human race. Ever since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, all people have been born with a sinful nature and are separated from God (Genesis 3; Romans 3:23; 5:12). Being spiritually dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:1), we are incapable of saving ourselves or earning salvation through our own efforts. No amount of good works can bridge the gap between us and God (Isaiah 64:6; Titus 3:5).
Jesus emphasized to Nicodemus that “no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” (John 3:3). Our sin makes us unacceptable to God and unable to dwell with Him. But by God’s grace, He makes our spiritual rebirth possible through the redemptive work of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Through the new birth, we are cleansed of sin, given spiritual life, and united with Christ by faith (2 Corinthians 5:17). We become children of God, whereas before we were enemies of God and slaves to sin (Romans 6:17-18; Romans 8:15-17). Our nature is renewed so that it is inclined toward obedience rather than rebellion against God.
If we remain in our sins, we face eternal separation from God. But if we are born again, we receive eternal life and are secure in our relationship with God (John 3:16). That’s why spiritual rebirth is so vitally important and necessary.
What happens when someone is born again?
Many miraculous spiritual transformations occur at the moment of the new birth, including:
- Regeneration – God imparts new spiritual life to the believer. We are resurrected from spiritual death to spiritual life (John 5:24; Ephesians 2:1, 4-5).
- Conversion – This involves repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ, turning from an old way of life to new life in Christ (Acts 3:19; Acts 26:20).
- Justification – All sins are completely forgiven, and the believer is declared righteous before God (Romans 3:24-26; Romans 5:1).
- Adoption – We become children of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ (John 1:12-13; Romans 8:15-17).
- Sanctification – The ongoing process of being set apart for godly living begins (1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13).
- Union with Christ – We are placed “in Christ” and spiritually united with Him (Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 12:13).
- Indwelling of the Holy Spirit – God Himself takes up residence in the believer’s life (Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 3:16).
This spiritual transformation is wholly a work of God’s grace, not the result of human effort or merit. When we are born again, we become new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Our eternal destiny is changed as we pass from death to life (John 5:24). These changes are not outward only, but inward changes of heart, mind, and spirit.
Why is it called being born again?
Jesus used the phrase “born again” when speaking to Nicodemus in John 3:3. Just as physical birth brings natural life, spiritual birth brings eternal life. This new birth brings us into God’s spiritual family as His children.
Some key reasons this spiritual regeneration is called being born again:
- It is initiated and accomplished by God, not man (John 1:13; 1 Peter 1:3).
- It brings new spiritual life where there was once spiritual death (Colossians 2:13).
- Just as children inherit the nature of their parents, God’s children partake of His divine nature (John 1:12-13; 2 Peter 1:4).
- As a baby cannot birth itself, we are helpless to bring about our own new birth (John 3:4-8).
- It is a radical, complete transformation, not gradual reform (2 Corinthians 5:17).
- It makes us part of God’s family and grants us a new identity in Christ (Galatians 3:26-27).
- It results in a new life and destiny, just as being physically born does naturally (Titus 3:4-7).
Our first, natural birth merely brings us into the world physically alive yet spiritually dead. Through new birth we are made alive spiritually and adopted into God’s family as His children.
How does the new birth happen?
Although spiritual rebirth is ultimately a sovereign work of God through the Holy Spirit, the Bible gives us clear instruction on how we can receive the gift of salvation that brings about the new birth:
- Hear the gospel – Faith comes by hearing the good news about Jesus Christ (Romans 10:14, 17).
- Repent and believe – We must turn from sin and self-rule to follow Jesus as Lord by faith (Acts 20:21).
- Confess Christ – Publicly declare faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-10).
- Be baptized – Be baptized to identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:38).
- Receive the Holy Spirit – God seals all believers in Christ with His Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14).
Although God may work in different ways, the biblical pattern is to hear the gospel, repent of sin, trust in Christ, confess Him as Lord, be baptized, and receive the indwelling Holy Spirit. This brings about new birth.
We cannot work for, earn, or make ourselves worthy of this new birth. It is an unmerited gift of God’s grace, received by faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). When we respond to the gospel in repentant faith, God graciously grants us spiritual rebirth.
What is the evidence of being born again?
While spiritual rebirth itself is an internal, invisible work of the Holy Spirit, becoming a new creation in Christ results in outward evidence as well:
- Faith – Those who are born again place their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (Colossians 2:6-7; 1 John 5:1).
- Repentance – True repentance accompanies saving faith at salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10; 1 John 1:9).
- Obedience – Obedience to God’s commands demonstrates love for Him (John 14:15; 1 John 2:3-6).
- Love – Believers are known for their love for one another in the body of Christ (John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:7-8).
- Victory over sin – Sin’s power is broken so that believers can choose righteousness (1 John 5:4; Romans 6:6-7).
- Nature of God – Partakers of the divine nature produce spiritual fruit (2 Peter 1:4-8; Galatians 5:22-23).
- Holy Spirit – The Spirit indwells believers, producing renewal (Romans 8:9; Titus 3:5-7).
- Service – Those born again joyfully serve God and others (Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 1:10-12).
While these evidences will grow over time, the new birth immediately transforms a believer’s nature and begins a process of becoming more like Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit’s power.
Why should we share the gospel?
Understanding the new birth gives us an urgent motivation to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. Since people cannot be reconciled to God apart from being born again, proclaiming the gospel is vital work with eternal consequences.
The Bible makes clear that evangelism – spreading the good news about Jesus Christ – is the responsibility of every believer (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). Here are some reasons why sharing the gospel is so important:
- People need Christ – Apart from faith in Christ, people remain dead in their sins and separated from God (Ephesians 2:1-3). The gospel is necessary for salvation (Romans 1:16).
- Command to witness – Jesus directly commands us to proclaim the gospel, making disciples across the world (Matthew 28:19-20).
- Christ’s love compels us – Christ’s incredible love displayed in the gospel motivates us to share this good news (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
- Christ’s worth – The surpassing value of knowing Christ motivates us to introduce others to Him (Philippians 3:8-9).
- Gospel is powerful – God’s word shared in the power of the Holy Spirit brings about salvation (Romans 1:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5).
- Glory to God – Conversions bring glory and praise to God for His redeeming grace (2 Corinthians 4:15).
The eternal destiny of people hangs in the balance. By sharing the gospel, which is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16), we can participate in God’s mission to rescue lost souls and see lives transformed by His grace.
How should we then live?
The new birth marks the beginning of a believer’s personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Just as a baby is born into a new life, those who are born again in Christ enter an entirely new way of relating to God and living on mission for Him.
Becoming a new creation in Christ changes everything. Here are some key ways the new birth should impact how we live:
- Live by the Spirit – We have spiritual power to overcome sin and walk in obedience to Christ through the indwelling Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 22-25).
- Love others – Having experienced God’s love in Christ, we sacrificially love others (1 John 4:7-11).
- Be in community – Join with other believers for worship, discipleship, service, and accountability (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:24-25).
- Serve God – Our lives are now dedicated to honoring Christ in all we do, living for Him (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:15).
- Make disciples – We fulfill Christ’s commission to make disciples of all nations, sharing the gospel in word and deed (Matthew 28:19-20).
- Hope in Christ – We live with hope and joy, looking ahead to eternal life with Christ (Titus 2:13; 1 Peter 1:3-5).
Rather than living for self, we now live for the glory of God, loving Him and others, obeying Christ, sharing the gospel, and biblically investing in people’s lives for their spiritual growth.
Conclusion
The new birth is a miraculous work of the Holy Spirit whereby someone dead in sin is granted spiritual life through faith in Jesus Christ. This regeneration is necessary because of humanity’s universal condition of spiritual death and separation from God due to sin.
When someone is born again, they are justified, adopted, sanctified, and made a new creation in Christ. This comes about when a person hears the gospel, repents of sin, and trusts in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.
All true believers evidence this spiritual rebirth through faith, repentance, obedience, love, victorious living, and the nature of God at work in their lives. Understanding the new birth gives us an urgent motivation to proclaim the gospel so others can believe and experience this radical transformation.
The new birth inaugurates a new way of living in relationship with God. Believers are empowered by the Spirit to fulfill their purpose, love others, serve God, make disciples, and live with eternal hope. The new birth initiates us into God’s family and eternal life.