We often hear the term "born again Christian" but what does it mean? With all the flavors of Christianity out there these days, it’s hard to know for sure. Then someone might ask and rightly so, if there are born again Christians then does that mean that some Christians are not "born again"? If you are confused on this subject then you are not alone. How can a person come to a proper understanding of all this? As with all other questions about truth in religion, we must turn to the truth itself, the Bible John 17:17.

There is much we can know about "born again" even though it is mentioned only 3 times in the KJV of the Bible. The American Standard Version uses the terms "born anew" and "begotten again". The reason we can be so certain of it’s meaning is because Jesus Himself spells it out for us in His conversation with Nicodemus in John chapter 3. Jesus says to Nicodemus, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God". Nicodemus not understanding this statement responds by saying "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 answers "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.

Right away, like Nicodemus, we realize that Jesus is not speaking of natural birth. Nicodemus was right, a man cannot enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born. This we understand.

Jesus, however, points out that this new birth is not like natural birth but has two new components, yet at the same time is similar or comparable to natural birth. Jesus uses this type of teaching often in His ministry. It is His way of teaching a spiritual principle by comparing it to something earthly which we should fully understand. The new birth includes a birth of or from water and it also includes a birth of or from the spirit. It is vital that we realize that these two spiritual forms of rebirth are essential if we are to see the kingdom of God. Therefore, they are necessary to be saved or to become a Christian.

Being born again of water can only mean baptism. Baptism does indeed save us 1 Pet 3:21. An understanding of, being born again of the spirit, for most people would require a fairly lengthy study. That study would show that "the spirit" is the word of God Eph 6:17. The final rebirth, being born again of "the spirit", is hearing and believing the gospel. This also is essential to salvation Heb 11:6; Rom 10:17.

We can be born again of the water and of the spirit when we hear and believe the Gospel and are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins. When we have done this we are "born again Christians" and there is no other kind of Christian.

Send comments or questions to the Clintwood Church of Christ, POB 746, Clintwood, Va. 24228 or email me at bryan.renita@gmail.com

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