Being Born Again - Repentance & Salvation
What Does It Mean To Be Born Again?
To understand what it means to be born-again, it is necessary to understand that there are TWO BIRTHS. The “first” birth is the PHYSICAL BIRTH when you were born into this world from your mother and father. When the Bible speaks of being “born of water,” it is speaking about the physical birth (NOT baptism). The “second” birth is a SPIRITUAL BIRTH, which means to be born of the “Spirit” (that is, God's Holy Spirit). Why does a person need to be born spiritually? What is a “spiritual” birth?
The Bible teaches us that man is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). There is one God according to Deuteronomy 6:4; but He exists in the three Persons of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Bible refers to this triune nature of God as the Godhead (Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20, Colossians 2:9 - King James Bible only). Colossians 2:2 refers to the Godhead as “the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.” The Godhead wasn't meant to be understood; but rather, believed by faith, as sound Biblical doctrine by God's children. Likewise, mankind is created in God's image in the form of a body, soul and spirit. Our earthly body is the tabernacle (2nd Corinthians 5:1-4) of the soul and spirit. The body is a temporary dwelling place of man's soul and spirit. Our soul is composed of the heart (to feel), the mind (to think), and the will (to decide). Hebrews 4:12 makes a distinction between man's soul and spirit, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Man's spirit is dead in sin when we are born; that is, we are born void of God with an inherited sin nature from Adam. The only exception is the Lord Jesus Christ Who came as God in the flesh (1st Timothy 3:16).
The reason why we need to be “spiritually” born is because we have never been spiritually born to begin with. So when the Bible speaks of being “born again,” it actually means “born for the second time.” We all were born physically into this world, but we were born without the Spirit of God in our soul (spiritually dead). Yes, God created us all, but He gave us all a freewill to decide for ourselves where we will spend eternity. God never forces anyone to accept Jesus as their Savior. He simply offers a warm invitation to anyone who wants to have their sins forgiven and go to Heaven. Salvation is a free gift (Romans 5:15; 6:23), paid for by the precious blood of Jesus Christ (1st Peter 1:18,19; Revelation 1:5). We must accept God's gift of eternal life or it WILL be forever forfeited when we leave this world (die).
Acts 3:19
King James Version
19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
Repent:
to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life
to feel regret or contrition
to change one's mind
to cause to feel regret or contrition
to feel sorrow
Repentance is the activity of reviewing one's actions and feeling contrition or regret for past wrongs. It generally[citation needed] involves a commitment to personal change and resolving to live a more responsible and humane life.
Salvation is the act of God's grace in delivering His people from bondage to sin and condemnation, transferring them to the kingdom of his beloved Son and giving them eternal life (Romans 6:23)—all on the basis of what Christ accomplished in his atoning sacrifice.
The Bible says we are saved by grace through faith; and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8).
Mark 1:14-15
King James Version
14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
John 3:3
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.
Romans 6:23
King James Version
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness
