To be born again or not to be born again, that is the question! To determine its answer, let us take a few moments to study the meaning of the term “born again.” The best starting place for our study is found in John 3 where the inspired writer records the event of Nicodemus coming to Jesus by night. Let’s examine the text:
“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).
In speaking with Nicodemus, Jesus tells him that the only way for a man to see the kingdom of God is to be born again. This clearly confuses Nicodemus as he is thinking physically rather than spiritually. Nicodemus asks how a man can be born again when he is old. Notice the answer of Jesus: “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.” Jesus takes the focus from the physical and places it upon the spiritual. Notice that in order to be born again, water is involved. Christ here refers to the baptism/immersion of a person in order to be born again.
For a little more clarity, let’s look at what Paul says on the matter. Paul refers to being born again as “newness of life” (Romans 6:3-11). Paul there writes,
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Emphasis, JR)
Paul paints for us here a very clear picture of baptism and what it means to be born again. One who is baptized is baptized into the death of Christ. That is, in baptism one comes into contact with the blood of Christ which washes him from his sins. Without coming into contact with that blood, one’s sins cannot be washed away and if the sins are not washed away, one cannot be born again. As the old man of sin is buried, something has to arise from the watery grave of baptism; a new creature. This man is a new man; he has been born again. He has been washed of his sins and just as Jesus rose again the third day, we rise from the “grave” of baptism to “walk in newness of life.” Simply put, as a new creature, we are called upon to live a new life. That new life that we are given is to be used in service to Jesus, not in service to sin as the rest of passage emphasizes.
So, TO BE or NOT TO BE (Born Again): that is the question. If you wish to live a new life in Jesus Christ, a life in which all spiritual blessings are found (Ephesians 1:3), a life that is the best life, and a life that God promises to reward with eternal life, then, dear reader, the answer is to be born again. What will your answer be?
-Josh Romo