To be a “born again” Christian refers to experiencing a spiritual rebirth through faith in Jesus Christ. This concept is rooted in the Bible, emphasizing a transformation in a person’s life, beginning with repentance from sin and culminating in a renewed relationship with God. The term “born again” signifies a fresh start, not physically but spiritually—marking the transition from spiritual death to eternal life, driven by the work of the Holy Spirit.
### Key Biblical References:
1. **John 3:3-7 (Jesus speaks to Nicodemus):**
– Jesus explicitly explains the necessity of being born again:
_”Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”_
This passage underscores the need for spiritual transformation brought about by the Holy Spirit.
2. **2 Corinthians 5:17 (New Creation):**
– The rebirth leads to a transformation of identity:
_”Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”_
Being born again means becoming a “new creation” as the old sinful life is replaced by a life led by the Spirit.
3. **1 Peter 1:3 (Living Hope):**
– Peter ties spiritual rebirth to the resurrection of Christ:
_”Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”_
This emphasizes that being born again is solely by God’s mercy and through faith in Jesus.
4. **Ephesians 2:4-5 (Made Alive in Christ):**
– Spiritual rebirth is an act of grace by God:
_”But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.”_
The act of being born again signifies a move from spiritual death to life through God’s grace.
5. **Titus 3:5 (Regeneration of the Spirit):**
– Salvation is not by works but by the washing and renewal of the Holy Spirit:
_”He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”_
This reinforces the idea that rebirth is divinely initiated, not humanly earned.
6. **Romans 6:4 (Walking in Newness of Life):**
– Being born again translates into a new way of living:
_”We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”_
Spiritual rebirth brings about a life characterized by obedience to God and the reflection of His nature.
In summary, being a born-again Christian is about experiencing a life-changing encounter with God through Jesus Christ, resulting in justification from sin, a new identity in Christ, and a transformed life led by the Spirit. This new birth is a foundational aspect of Christianity, signifying a personal commitment to follow Christ and live according to His teachings.