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Q. What do you believe that being born again (John 3:3) means?
(Submitted by: M. S.)
A. Your question is a very important one. The context of your question comes from the following verses in the gospel of John (the scripture you have a question on is in italics):
" There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 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."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. 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? 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. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 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. " (John 3:1-8)
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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:
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 |
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