Mini Studies
Born Again
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God
John 3:3
The Bible reveals an extraordinary Destiny for man, and that Destiny is woven throughout the scriptures. Jesus spoke of it at the beginning of His public ministry. It was during the days of the Passover. At that time, He was in Jerusalem and was approached by a leader of the Jews named Nicodemus. This meeting is recorded in the third chapter of John’s gospel. Notice what takes place.
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 do, except God be with Him. (Jn. 3:1-2)
No sooner had Nicodemus finished his greeting than Jesus began to introduce one of the most radical ideas ever uttered by the Messiah. Notice what He said.
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. (Jn. 3:3)
Here Jesus was explaining to this prominent religious leader that entrance into God’s Kingdom was predicated on man going through a dramatic change. He would have to be born into it. Furthermore, absent this birth, one could never even obtain a glimpse of that Kingdom.
When Nicodemus heard Jesus’ words he must have been mystified. How could such a birth be possible? And why would Jesus make what appeared to be such an outrageous pronouncement, “except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God”? What could Jesus’ have possibly meant in uttering these words?
At this point it is important to understand that Nicodemus clearly understood the terminology the Messiah was employing. He was not confused about grammar or syntax. After all, he (Nicodemus) was a highly educated man. Not only was he a prominent rabbi, but in all likelihood he was also a member of the Sanhedrin, the high court of the Jews at that time. Despite these credentials, Nicodemus simply couldn’t comprehend how such a birth could take place. As a result, he sought clarification from a man he called “a teacher from 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?” (Jn. 3:4)
When Nicodemus advanced this query he was not trying to be clever. He was not mocking Jesus or His words. On the contrary, Nicodemus was very serious. However, he also was struggling with what Jesus could possibly mean by insisting that man be “born again” in order to enter into the Kingdom of God. Therefore, he pressed this man he had sought out to expand on this statement regarding a second birth.
The meeting between Nicodemus and Jesus as recorded by the apostle John, has been analyzed by some of the premier religious minds of our day. These great thinkers have attempted to gain insight into this “rebirth” by copiously scrutinizing Jesus’ words. They have vigorously dissected the term “born again” and crafted a meaning that is used today to describe millions of professing Christians. In the Protestant world, a person is “born again” when he or she accepts Jesus Christ as his or her personal Lord and Savior.
However, as important as accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is: will such an act make you “born again?” Just what did Jesus mean when He presented this profound truth about entrance into God’s Kingdom?
Eye Witness Testimony
It is important to understand that there was an eye witness to this meeting. This eye witness was Nicodemus himself. He heard firsthand what Jesus was saying. And contrary to popular belief, when doing so, he never once asked what “born again” meant. Notice Nicodemus did not ask “what?” but rather “how?” when questioning Jesus about this lesson. His precise words were “How can a man be born when he is old?”not “what do the words ‘born again’ mean?” Furthermore, at no time did Nicodemus question Jesus about the meaning of Greek verbs or Aramaic terms (the language He was probably speaking at the time).
The point here is that Nicodemus understood Jesus’ teaching regarding being “born again” as referring to a literal birth, as opposed to some “religious experience” or abstract spiritual concept. To Nicodemus, Jesus was describing something that was very real, not figurative or symbolic – and the truth be known, Nicodemus was correct in his understanding. Where Nicodemus was wrong was that he thought this literal birth was physical. Ironically, this is the same mistake made by the vast majority of professing Christians today. If you were to ask them about what happens to those who are resurrected form the dead at the last trump, they will tell you that at that time, God’s people will be given a glorified physical body comprised of flesh and bone. However, Jesus said something quite different. Notice His response to Nicodemus’ query.
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.” (Jn. 3:5)
Jesus then contrasts a fleshly existence with a spiritual existence. Notice His words.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (Jn. 3:6)
Here Jesus is being very direct. Flesh comes from flesh and spirit comes from spirit. Therefore, because mankind is currently in a fleshly state by virtue of his physical birth, he cannot be at this time “born again.” However, Jesus also indicated that there is a spiritual state that is entered into as a direct result of a spiritual birth. A birth that is very real.
There are many who believe they are “born again” as a result of their conversion. But such an understanding contradicts Jesus’ words. Remember, Jesus not only contrasted a physical birth to a spiritual birth; He also explained what it would be like to be born of the Spirit. Notice what He said to Nicodemus.
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind blows where it listeth, and you hear the sound thereof, but can not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. (Jn. 3:7-8)
Here, Jesus was explaining that when one is literally “born again,” they are no longer composed of corruptible matter, but rather of incorruptible spirit. They are like the wind. Their presence can be felt, but not contained in the way that physical matter can.
The point Jesus was conveying to Nicodemus, and to all of mankind for that matter, is that God has planned a Kingdom that was never designed to be inhabited by the physical realm. God’s Kingdom is a spiritual Kingdom and its citizens will literally be made of spirit.
The Following is a brief Mini Study addressing this extraordinary subject.
1. We need to be born again to enter the kingdom of God.
Jn 3:3 - "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
2. How are we born again?
By a resurrection when we are changed from mortal flesh to immortal spirit.
1Cor. 15:52 - "We shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed."
3. What will it be like to be born again?
1Jn. 3:1-2 - "We shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is." (Also: Mt. 17:2; 13:43; Rev. 1:14)
Phil. 3:21 - "who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body"
1Cor. 13:12 - "We shall see God face to face" (Also: Psa. 17:15; Rev. 22:3-4)
Rom. 8:13-19 - "We shall be joint heirs with Christ"
2Pet. 1:3-4 - "Partakers of the divine nature"
4. When will be born again?
1Cor. 15:52 - "at the last trump" (Also: 1thes. 4:16; Col. 3:4)
5. Christ was the first to be changed.
Rom. 8:29 - "Firstborn among many brethren"
Co. 1:15-18 - "the firstborn from the dead"
6. We are not now born again.
Rom. 7:14-25 - "We are still carnal"
Rom. 8:18 - "not yet changed"
1Jn. 1:8-10 "still sinful"
Jn. 3:6 - "that which is born of flesh is flesh, and that which is born of spirit is spirit." We are still flesh.
6. We are begotten if baptized.
Acts 2:38 - "Repent and be baptized... and you shall receive the gift of the holy spirit"
1Cor. 4:15 - "In Christ Jesus, I have begotten you"
1Jn. 2:29 - "Begotten of Him"
1Jn. 3:9 - "begotten of God" (Also: 1Jn 4:7; 5:1-4, 18)
