What Does “Born Again” Mean?
What Does “Born Again” Mean
Many speak of having been “born again.” What does this term mean? Millions think they know. Do you? Since Christ taught, “Except a man be born again, he cannot SEE the kingdom of God,” correct understanding is vital. You can know Christ’s meaning. Here it is, made absolutely PLAIN!
Many Protestants and virtually all “evangelical” Christians think that, after becoming “believers,” they have been “born again.”
I have known many who believed this. While having no idea what the term actually meant, they had been told that “professing Jesus” was a kind of “new birth”—that they were in some mysterious way “born again.” It also became their Christian duty to bring others to this belief. I have been approached more than once and asked if I have been “born again.” I always answered no! This booklet explains WHY.
The popular concept of what it means to be “born again” is based largely on ignorance of God’s Word and outright silly reasoning. Yet the deception that this single misunderstanding presents is even more important when considering how many other true doctrines fall like dominoes in its wake. God’s PURPOSE for man—that He is expanding His Family—the true gospel, most aspects of the kingdom of God, the meaning of being sons of God, character development, the pagan trinity doctrine, who is the antichrist, and more, become impossible to properly understand.
Almost none take the time to examine—or PROVE—what God’s Word says about this extremely important subject. If they did, they would be stunned—astonished—at what they found!
Most professing Christians believe that being “born again” occurs in this life upon “receiving Jesus.” But this is not what the Bible teaches. Being “born again” has nothing whatsoever to do with “professing Jesus,” “just believing in your heart,” “giving your heart to the Lord” or any other kind of religious experience. It does not happen at conversion. The Bible teaches that it happens long after this initial step in a new Christian’s life.
So few understand Jesus’ words: “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Reread and consider them carefully. Take note of what Christ says is at stake in just this single scripture. One’s ability to “see the kingdom of God” hinges solely on whether he is “born again.” Obviously, one had better understand the enormous importance of how and when people are born again!
When Christ said “Except a man,” He left no room for misunderstanding. Do not be confused. Remaining deceived about being born again makes salvation impossible. Certainly, when this occurs is inseparable from properly understanding how it happens or what it means. Also, if one believes that conversion allows a person to “see the kingdom,” then he must believe that the kingdom is here now. Yet the Bible plainly teaches otherwise!
While Christ’s words require explanation, you can understand what so many do not. And it will be made most PLAIN!
First Things First—Basic Scriptures!
Of the 12 rules of Bible study, the most basic for proper doctrinal understanding is to start with the clearest scriptures on any subject. This is especially critical in removing misconceptions about how andwhen one is born again.
In fact, there are several plain verses about this subject. They introduce everything else that follows. Understanding them is the only proper way to approach the subject. The entire doctrine becomes quite easy to understand when you keep these few basic verses straight. We shall examine three before examining Christ’s statement in John 3:3.
First, notice a most startling scripture written by the apostle Paul to the Colossians. Remember that the Bible always interprets itself, and to always accept what it says after it does.
Speaking of Christ, Paul wrote, “Who is the image of the invisible God, the FIRSTBORN OF EVERY CREATURE…And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD; that in all things He might have the preeminence” (Col 1:15,18).
Christ is the firstborn “from the dead.” This is a big key to understanding when one is born again. Believe God, and fix this phrase in your mind. This verse states that one’s new birth occurs after death—and involves returning from the dead. Once again, accept what the Bible says, without adding to or subtracting from it. Col 1:15 uses the phrase “firstborn of every creature,” thereby adding double emphasis to Paul’s statement—and meaning.
Despite the plainness of this verse, some try to dismiss it by saying it has nothing to do with being born from the dead. They explain it away as merely a title given to Christ—that He holds the title of “FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD.”
This is silly—even foolish—and easy to disprove.
Notice the phrase “who is the beginning.” This alone proves that Christ’s Resurrection from the dead refers to the order in time sequence that this occurs. He is the “beginning” of all those others who will receive eternal life at His Return—when the resurrection of the dead occurs. “Beginning” has to be a reference to who is first. The next passage builds on and helps explain this one.
Paul wrote to the Romans, “For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Ro 8:29). God intends on having “many” sons—Christ’s “brethren,” born later in His plan. If anyone is designated to be first, others must follow, or first has no meaning. It must be related to something else later. In the case of salvation, many will follow. This is further proof that “firstborn” has nothing to do with any supposed title!
Christ is not the only Son to be part of God’s Plan. There will be more sons who follow Him in the resurrection. He is firstborn of “every creature”—the other sons. The many other brethren are those converted over the last 2,000 years (and a few in the Old Testament). They are called to become younger brothers and sisters with Christ. If Christ is firstborn from the dead, then all other brethren would be “secondborn,” “thirdborn,” “onehundrethborn,” etc.
Let’s note one additional verse confirming when Christ was born again. The apostle John, recording Christ’s Revelation, wrote, “And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth” (Rev 1:5, NKJV).
Though the Authorized Version (KJV) translates this as “first begotten,” virtually every other translation renders this verse as “firstborn from the dead.”
These verses make absolutely plain that one is born from the dead at the resurrection. Only then will—or can—anyone “see the kingdom of God.”
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