Born Again
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The term "born again" is a proper Bible term that describes what takes place when a person believes in Jesus Christ as personal Saviour. This article is to set forth this writer's viewpoint and prove by the scripture that the age old Baptist position is correct.
The expression dealing with the new birth will be referred to in context and considered in English and Greek. John Chapter three is a primary text tor this writing. Jesus is speaking to a man who did not recognize Him as the Messiah of God. In John 3:3 Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." The expression "born again" is from the Greek ANOTHEN, which means "from above." The following verses and context will prove that this is a spiritual birth from God and is a direct result of repentance and believing.
John 3:7 says. "Marvel not that I said unto you, you must be born again." The expression is the same as found in verse 3, "from above." People can and will argue the meaning of the water is verse 5 until Jesus comes, but what should be clear to all is that there must be not only a physical birth, but also a spiritual birth for one to even see the kingdom.
The last part of verse 8 in the third chapter of John says, "So is every one that is born of the Spirit." The Greek word "born" is a perfect form of GEGENNAMENOS. The ablative case used in "of the Spirit" shows source. This clearly indicates the source of this birth to be the Spirit, removing any possibility of salvation by works of any type, including baptism.
In John chapter one, after stating that His own people as a group rejected Jesus, verses 12 and 13 say, "But as many as received Him, to them give gave He power (or authority) to become the children of God, to the ones believing into His name; which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." This clearly shows that the ones believing are born out of (source) God. Even the word "children", TEKNA, means "born children."
All the verses used have stated that the source of the second birth is the Spirit of God from above, and that it is a result of believing. They have also shown that man cannot commit any act of his own to bring it about.
One other word must be dealt with. This word is translated regeneration, and is found in Titus 3:5 and Matthew 19:28. The Greek word is PALINGENESIA, and means born again. Titus 3:5 says, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit." This verse declares that no works on the part of an individual can do the job. If the new birth came as a result of being a faithful church member, it would be a work of righteousness. The term "washing" might frighten some. It is not the washing of baptism, but the washing of regeneration or of being born again and being made new by the agency of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 19:28 might cause some to raise a question. When the verse is examined, however, it is clear. "And Jesus said unto them, verily I say unto you; that you which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. This verse simply states that the apostles, who had followed Jesus in the regeneration, would sit upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes. It is evident that the regeneration is not something they would receive in the future. They already had the "regeneration," the new birth. These men had, and were following Jesus in the born again relationship. All who are born again should follow Jesus.
The conclusion for this writer is that the term "born again" means exactly that. The new birth is brought about by the Spirit of God at the same time one believes in Jesus. It is a spiritual birth of God in the believer and is an eternal thing, not dependent upon any works or church membership, and that one who is born of God will escape the fires of hell.