There are some precious Bible words we almost hesitate to use these days
because they have been abused and misused throughout Christendom. Words
like "Christian" and "bishop" mean different things to different people, even
though their Bible meaning has never changed.

Another term subjected to such abuse is "born again." It has been so
cheapened and downgraded by the world that now we must define terms. "What
do you mean that you are born again?" Today; you are supposed to be "born
again" if you have had some life-changing experience. It is used in popular songs
to mean "falling in love." Hollywood superstars by the dozen profess to be "born
again" - and yet continue producing their wicked wares. Roman Catholics and
other cults are now using the term, "born again."

Because the Lord Jesus Christ said we could not get to Heaven without being
"born again," it becomes vitally important that we understand the Bible
meaning of the term.        

WHAT BEING "BORN AGAIN" IS NOT

A.      The New Birth Is NOT Baptism:

Those who teach the doctrine of "Baptismal Regeneration/Remission" (which all
infant-sprinkling 'churches' and some immersing 'churches' like the Church of
Christ denomination do!) use the following scriptures as proof texts:

1.       John 3:5 .:» ... born of water. .. "

The context of this verse, especially John 3:6, shows that being "born of
water" refers to the physical birth.

a.        Born of water - "that which is born of flesh is flesh. "

b.         Born of the Spirit - "that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. "

2.        Titus 3:5 - " ... washing of regeneration ... "

However, Revelation 1:5 defines what this washing is - it is being washed
and cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. See also: Psalm 51:2,7; Isaiah
1:18; I John 1:7b.

3.        I Peter 3:21 - " ... baptism doth also now save us ... "
A careful reading of this verse shows:

a.         Baptism is a ''figure'' (a symbol).

b.        The literal washing of the body does nothing for us spiritually.

c.         Baptism is the answer (response) of a good conscience toward
God. How do we get a good conscience in the first place?? See:I
Peter 3:14-16.

It is not the act of baptism which saves us; it is what baptism pictures that saves
- i.e., the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

B.       The New Birth Is NOT Reformation:

How often do people "turn over a new leaf?" Getting rid of a bad habit is always a
good thing - but it is NOT the new birth.

1.        Nicodemus had religion and a position of authority - but that wasn't
enough. See: John 3:1,7.

2.        The rich young ruler kept the commandments (or so he thought) - but
that wasn't enough. See: Mark 10:17-22.

3.        Saul (later, Paul) had every outward reason to be accepted by God - but
that wasn't enough. See:Philippians 3:4-8.

C.      The New Birth Is NOT Some Religious Experience:

Many people equate their experience to real salvation.

1.       Simon Magnus had an experience - but that wasn't enough. See: Acts
8:9,13,18-22.

2.        Jesus warned about shallow, experience-oriented emotionalism in
Matthew 13:3,5,18,20,21.

Note: Emotions are evoked when we are born again, and many people
count their salvation as an experience. The important thing to
remember is that the experience is not what saves - it is
something which follows!

WHAT BEING "BORN AGAIN" REALLY IS

A. The New Birth Is The Work Of God:

1.John 6:63 - "The flesh (ourselves) profiteth _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ."

                     The Holy Spirit _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ E T H (makes alive).

2.Ephesians 2:1 - "You hath  _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  quickened."

3.Ephesians 2:10 - "We are _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ workmanship."

4.John 3:5 - "Except a man be born of water [natural birth] _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ of the

                     _ _ _ _ _ _ ,he _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ enter into the kingdom of God."

B. The New Birth Is Accomplished Through The Word Of God:

1.John 15:3-"Nowyeare _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ through the _' _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ."

                     you through the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ " - I Corinthians 4:15.

3.I Peter 1 :23 - "Born again by the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ."

C. The New Birth Is The Imparting Of A New Nature:
1. II Peter 1:4 - We are made partakers of the

             2. II Corinthians5:17-We are made a                                                                       in

Christ.

D.      The New Birth Is The ONLY Means Of Entering God's Family:

See:John 1:12,13.

"Born ... not of blood - i.e. of human lineage (God has no grandchildren!)
nor of the will of the flesh -i.e. through works, reformation, etc.
nor of the will of man - i.e. through priest, pope, or pastor!
... but of God!!"

THE ABSOLUTE NECESSIlY OF A NEW BIRTH

             Write out: John 3;3,7.