|
I suppose that you are aware of the expression of "born again" in the
body of Christendom. This term is generally used to refer to someone who has "accepted Jesus" and been baptized. Some
say they believe in the doctrine of 'once saved always saved' by this. It should be abundantly clear from Nicodemus'
and Jesus' discussion that there is a second birth. Note Nicodemus asks if one can enter a second time into his
mother's womb. Jesus, however, is talking about a different womb. That womb is the earth. Jesus said
"all that are in there graves shall come forward...". In
John 3 there are three births discussed:
- Born of the flesh
- Born of water
- Born of the spirit.
One could say that a baptized Christian who was symbolically laid to death and
resurrected from a watery grave has been born or begotten (started-- the Greek has only one word, best
translated begun, as far as I am concerned) again of water, receiving the earnest of God's spirit for his mind,
giving him the mind of Christ. However, we are most interested in the new start which will bring immortality to us.
Jesus was born of the flesh as the seed of David. However, you will notice that he was the Son of God with POWER when
he was resurrected from the dead. See
Romans 1:3-4.
We will not have been "saved" from death until we are born again with
spirit bodies by a resurrection out of the womb of the earth. That which is born of the spirit is spirit -
John 3:6. Those born of the spirit can be invisible
or visible (at will) -
John 3:8. The power to make us spirit beings comes
from above, from God, of course. While there are many other scriptures showing the resurrection as a new body birth, I
hope this brief answer aids your studies.
Other Recommended Bible Study Materials:
Answer Given By: Bill Hillebrenner |