Introduction
Many people believe that becoming a Christian simply means becoming religious, attending church, or trying to be a better person.
Jesus taught something far more profound.
He declared that a person must be born again.
Being born again is not self-improvement. It is not turning over a new leaf. It is not merely changing behavior.
Being born again is receiving new spiritual life from God.
Salvation is not simply making bad people good; it is making spiritually dead people alive.
What Does It Mean to Be Born Again?
Jesus told Nicodemus:
John 3:3
“Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
The phrase born again means:
- Born from above
- Given new spiritual life
- Made alive by God
- Receiving a new nature through Christ
Every person experiences physical birth.
But Jesus teaches that every person also needs a spiritual birth.
Without this spiritual birth, no one can enter God’s kingdom.
Word Study
Born Again
The Greek phrase is gennēthē anōthen (γεννηθῇ ἄνωθεν).
Meaning:
- Born again
- Born from above
- Born by God’s work
Jesus was speaking about a supernatural work of God, not a second physical birth.