What Does It Mean to Be Born Again?: Born Again with R.C. Sproul

Though many Christians talk about being “born again,” few actually understand what this phrase means. What is this mysterious work of the Holy Spirit that changes our hearts and causes us to place our faith in Jesus Christ for salvation? In this message, R.C. Sproul addresses the mysterious nature of regeneration and the effects that the new birth produces in our lives.
This message is from Dr. Sproul’s 6-part teaching series Born Again. Learn more: www.ligonier.org/learn/series...

[@ligonier]

This message is from Dr. Sproul’s 6-part teaching series Born Again. Watch the entire series: www.ligonier.org/learn/series/born-again

[@suaptoest]

I "came to faith" when I was 13 years old. The gospel had been preached to me. What I believed at the time was completely wrong in many ways. Over the years, the content of my faith changed through learning. Many previous notions have been refuted over time as a new understanding has been replaced. It would scare me if that original had remained permanent. I am now 74yrs.

[@erniesimmons7594]

Amen and amen ! I agree with this message 1000,000,000 % true KJV bible Truth ! EZS

[@dvowen1]

T@@suaptoest u

[@suaptoest]

@@dvowen1 We must leave this earth as "pure" of doctrines as when we come here. That's the big secret. But it took me a long lap to find out. Matt. 11:6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

[@TruthSetFree-zm1ep]

Ezekiel 36:24-27 Acts 26:16-18 Dark to Light Ephesians 4:17-24 Ephesians 5:8-14

[@FallouFitness_NattyEdition]

R.C. Sproul and John Macarthur have been my mentors in regards to learning about scripture. Although I've never met them, I thank God that I have the opportunity to listen to RC's teachings and John's sermons everyday on KZbin.

[@FallouFitness_NattyEdition]

@@SolaScriptura94 I admire Voddie a lot for his boldness, especially against the extreme social justice agenda. Thank you for the recommendation 😊😊

[@southpolesurfer6936]

Also try reach for. Charles Spurgeon & Richard Baxter, Derek Prince, Charles Capps, Chuck missler (ESSENTIAL LEARNING) Also John Barnett KZbin (DTBM). also there are amazing online resources. THE BLUE LETTER BIBLE - tools (commentary you will find sermons on almost most of the verses in the Bible to give clarification and learning and teaching the blue left Bible is probably one of the best online resources for biblical scholar and in sight it has hundreds of sermons by different preachers on almost every chapter and verse).

[@robberger5323]

R.C and John have helped me tremendously… as the gentlemen also mentioned below, Voddie is great. I recommend you also check out Paul Washer and Steve Lawson…. All men of God. God bless you!

[@tongakhan230]

Careful! This prophecy may come to mind. 2 Timothy 4:3 For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the wholesome teaching, but according to their own desires, they will SUROUND THEMSELVES WITH TEACHERS TO HAVE THEIR EARS TICKLED. 4 They will turn away from listening to the truth and give attention to false stories. In essence it says that people will hang onto false teachers who tell them what they WANT TO HEAR.

[@robmarshall956]

Alistair Begg is another teacher of Gods word 🙏✝️

[@savedbymylovegodthelordjes8394]

ربي يسوع المسيح انت نور حياتي وفرحي ليس لي سواك كل المجد للثالوث الأقدس ألهنا الصالح الى ابد الابدين...آمين 💖✝️✝️✝️

[@johnhenrick2298]

I've heard many preachers in my forty years as a Christian, but none can compare with Mr. Sproul. I knew of him many years ago but never heard him speak until a few weeks ago. His enthusiasm for the things of God as he explains, is a marvel in itself. I praise God for such men of faith!

[@jinduogbugh2887]

He was a gift to mankind. His teachings are ever green. Another preacher I love so much is John MacArthur

[@SolaScriptura94]

I'm so blessed I live in an age where I can sit and listen to as much R.C. Sproul as I desire. Even those sitting in his class could not press rewind and listen twice. But I can listen to him over and over, everyday, wherever I am.

[@samanthamccarthy325]

Likewise with Derek Prince. God has made awesome provision for us :)

[@toughbiblepassages9082]

I love RC Sproul and miss him dearly. Thank you Holy Spirit for working through him and letting us see You in his life.

[@jedimasterham2]

With respect, Sproul preached a false gospel to many. He taught that God elects people to salvation, and that people cannot trust in Jesus on their own. People don't realize how antichristian this is. It's a completely foreign and unbiblical doctrine that directly opposes God, Jesus, and the bible.

[@pilgrimsluggage9878]

What I like about Jesus Christ in RC Sproul, is that he does not complicate faith as a teacher.

[@dukediesel]

Please let my heart beat for you God! Amen

[@JasonSchmidt-1979]

Amen!

[@knatsomitab7376]

I love you all so very much. Nothing clever nothing proud, just a want for every one of you too know His love through what His Grace has done with me.

[@judyl.761]

Oh this is so good. I was born again in August 2001. Long story short, I was in so much pain and I asked God truly FROM MY HEART, to show me if he is real. That was the beginning of a bunch of things that happened that eventually led to my being born again. It doesn’t matter what the specifics were because they will be different for each person. The point I am trying to make is that I came to him from my heart, not my head. He listens to us when we come to him from our hearts.

[@marklundy6879]

I remember when I was saved, I was on fire for Christ. I was so hungry for scripture, reading Gods word day and night, constantly in prayer, I hated my sin. I started understanding scripture and applying it to my life.

[@felipekennedy3135]

That's us friend.

[@lewisedna2957]

What a word, I was so blessed when I received the Holy Spirit It was exactly like the day of Pentecost so powerful , I remember when it lifted I pinched I my cheek and said oh my.never was the same.

[@weewee1518]

Still miss Dr RC Sproul very much. From Singapore.

[@bernie4268]

I can totally relate to staying up into the night with such happiness and deep joy brimming over in my soul and waking up the next morning and the joy of the Holy Spirit was still burning warm in my heart. What peace that was. September 19, 1980.

[@gogos869]

Brilliant as usual! I’m one of those who didn’t know I was born again until later! There were no Christians around me, so I didn’t understand what was happening to me. Dr Sproul reminded me of an incident at my workplace. I noticed that everyone was cursing God! All day long I heard it and it was like being punched every time! I must have been saved the night before! Otherwise I would not have noticed because they were always cursing his name! Talk about freaky!

[@johnradice4235]

I’m positive that when R C was in the presence of the Lord HE said well done good and faithful servant

[@robertg5515]

@John Radice You MUST be greater than our heavenly Father since you positively presume to know HIs mind.

[@johnradice4235]

@@robertg5515 point well taken thanks for your reply I recant my statement ✝️

[@huntsman528]

Also God: *cough cough * and sorry Sproul, Calvin was completely wrong.

[@sandman9390]

@@huntsman528 have you ever studied Calvin's Institutes? Probably not. You would be surprised with how much you might agree with him....but most people you snarl the Word "Calvinist" towards, have not studied Calvin either 🤣

[@brendahankins7871]

Fantastic explanation by a man who was truly born again!

[@FirstLast-tb7qn]

I respect this man alot..may his soul rest in peace.

[@twpbr549]

Amen!

[@tlgeorge59]

The finest explanation of this topic I have ever heard. Thank you, brother Sproul. Once again God has used you to reveal his Word in beautiful detail to an underserving wretch.

[@randycraig]

I really love this man. I'm so grateful for his teaching.

[@doctrinalwatchdog6268]

God gives you a new heart.

[@stevencolwell1092]

Timeless teaching. We need more of this from every pulpit in America

[@saulmist9593]

This is my first exposure to old-Sproul. When I heard the "clacking" of the chalk on the board, I was transported back in time to my primary school days, haha.

[@georgevijay3327]

There is no man I have seen that can explain Scriptures like Him. I know there are many who are good but personally for me, I see this man was gifted truly to teach everyone about God for His glory. Truly indeed, Glory be to God alone for such teachers amidst so many false teachers.

[@Zystha]

Praise God for people like RC Sproul! He brings the truth with so much passion and life❤️❤️.

[@motorTranz]

Fantastic lecture! Thank you Ligonier Ministries!

[@christservant7051]

Incredible. Its just so hard to explain to someone who has never been born again, with words that have not yet been created of the gratitude and love for Christ you suddenly have. 3 years ago this month and on fire for the Lord more then the day I was born twice. Glory to God

[@guyg6728]

I identify heavily with your statement but honestly... not as on fire for God as I was those first three to four months. Scripture isn't as bright to me, I can't understand it as much, my heart feels a bit hardened. I just want to be closer to Christ. I feel so far from Him. I'm also struggling against sin but sin seems to be winning a lot. I'm just trying to be in light. Is there anything you can do to help me? How do I get back on fire for God. Honestly I thi k I've just become complacent and have stopped searching.

[@speedchaser4991]

The born again Jesus was speaking of is flesh to spirit John 3:6-8 Flesh to spirit happen at the first resurrection. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17

[@speedchaser4991]

@@guyg6728 You have too grow your faith and believe what Jesus teaches: "If I have told you earthly things, and you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven." John 3: 12-13 This is parable from Jesus; No one is in heaven.

[@Chryslerdealership]

Who else rejoices that they’ve been born again?! HALLELUJAH ❤️ my heart is changed from dead to alive, my mind is hungry for the wisdom of God, and He is now my Father and friend. I love you Jesus. You are so beautiful to me 🥹

[@PaulaGrace123]

I rejoice daily ❤ thank you Jesus. God bless you sister

[@FirstLast-tb7qn]

Dear lord Jesus..you live in my heart.

[@terrygibbs8163]

Thank God for the word and His servants that preach the whole council of God.

[@drivebyquipper]

RC does a great job of preaching most of the counsel of God, but there are a few holes in his game (like most of us).

[@terrygibbs8163]

@@drivebyquipper that goes with out saying.

[@drivebyquipper]

@@terrygibbs8163 I was thinking about the time that he took exception to the lyrics of Wesley's hymn that was sung at a service where he was invited to speak, "Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?" RC shared that is mentor interrupted a church service to declare that God can't die or the universe would unravel. To avoid heresey and be theologically accurate, the song should be changed to Lord instead of God. Sorry, but that shows a profound lack of understanding of the Trinity. Jesus is God, is immortal, but yet he died. Meanwhile, God the Father, and God the Holy Spirit lived. So ... yes, my God died for me. I don't know what God didn't die in RC's mind. We should embrace the mystery, not whittle it down to fit in our pocket. That's a pretty serious blunder.

[@robmarshall956]

@@drivebyquipper well no, for God to “die” in that sense would mean that He ceased to exist, and neither the Father nor the Son nor the Holy Spirit will ever cease to exist. The Son, the second Person of the Trinity, left the body He temporarily inhabited on Earth, but His divine nature did not die, nor could it.

[@drivebyquipper]

@@robmarshall956 no, you are just playing head games with semantics. Jesus died on the cross, I mean he died! Jesus is God, Jesus died on the cross. God died on the cross. You can't get your mind around it, but if you think you must, I guess you'll have to settle for being a calvinist. Lol!

[@JohnSmith-cf4gn]

Jesus saved me in 1961 and I was born again. It's a supernatural spiritual experience with God through Jesus ONLY. It was the greatest day of my life. It will change your world. Literally. Few there be that find it.

[@kevinclint7588]

I WILL NEVER EVER LEAVE MY LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST AGAIN,…………..WHY?,…………BECAUSE HE NEVER EVER LEFT ME IN THE FIRST PLACE,…………….PRAISE HIS PERFECT PRECIOUS HOLY AND WONDERFULL NAME,…………. AMEN

[@landrybruder]

Facts my brother

[@kevinclint7588]

@@landrybruder AMEN ,……….LET WE BOW OUR KNEE FOR THE KING OF KINGS AND THE LORD OF LORDS,………..THE MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE WHO KNOWS EVERY STAR BY NAME,…………. AMEN

[@gigiis526]

When God makes a person born again, it is impossible to turn away. John 6:44, 1John 1:19

[@kurtn652]

You may deny Him as Peter did. If you or we could lose our salvation we would. Thank God for Christ holding on to us.

[@himynameisjohnwumsh7631]

@@gigiis526there is no 1John 1:19.

[@mrgransport]

The book “ The Holiness of God” change my life. It opened my eyes as a believer to who God is.

[@allengill8473]

Yes, I love his teaching style because he starts very generally and gives an overview...then he continues a process of narrowing the lesson topic down to one or two precise theological explanations or answers - SO RICH !!!!

[@arlynsmith9196]

Thank you Lord for this man. I know he is with you now, but I give thanks for his life and the wisdom and goodness that he left with us so that I could even today benefit from him.

[@annmcrath536]

Wow. Thank You Lord for connecting the dots for me. Breathe Spirit Wind. Wow

[@mariomoreno9103]

Thank you so much for these amazing teachings!!! It means a lot to me!! 🥰💥💥💥💥👊👊👊👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@allengill8473]

I know, right...I always like his approach of taking time with unpacking the theological aspects in the lessons in a way the lay Christian can understand..so rich !!!...praise God !!!

[@JRPLawyeress1]

I miss this dear man.

[@JohnDoe-dr7ef]

Your heart is beating for God . Where it never did before. Love this truth.

[@timothyflynn1927]

Oh how i miss brother RC...one of my favorite bible expositers.

[@raulquintanilla8718]

AMEN! We miss you R.C

[@yyramos12270224]

I been waiting for this 🙌🏻

[@YellowCab76]

This is a great sermon. I didn’t know Columbo was a pastor 😂

[@sylviaaddo1300]

Thank you to our God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

[@savedbymylovegodthelordjes8394]

praise the only true living LORD and GOD bless you all glory be to the HOLY TRINITY forever and ever amen 💖✝️✝️✝️

[@coffeeNcream44]

"Your heart is beating for God!" Amen!

[@travisgrayson3736]

I can’t say enough about how much God has used R.C. Sproul to help me understand the truth of scripture. I’m so grateful for the obedience of this humble servant.

[@hyeminkwun9523]

"For there shall be a time, when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And will indeed turn away their hearing from the Truth, but will be turned unto fables (2 Tim 4:3-4). Do not be deceived, for many will come in My Name saying, 'the time has come.' Do not follow them (Luke 21:8)." Wolves in sheep's clothing (Matt 7:15) abound now! Too many follow them, without knowing the True Faith, and that's why Our Lord said, "When the Son of Man returns, will He find Faith on earth? (Luke 18:8)." Let no one deceive you in vain words (Eph 5:6). "Ever learning and never attaining to the knowledge of Truth. Men corrupted in mind, reprobate, these resist the Truth, concerning the Faith (2 Tim 3:7-8)." "My people perish for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6)." Born again with water and Spirit (John 3:5) is the Baptism administered by the Catholic Church Our Lord founded and sent for redemption of souls until the end of the world (Matt 28:20, Mark 16:16), which makes the baptized a child of God (John 1:12) and a member of His Church, which is His Body and Bride whom He saves (Eph 5:23). Roman 6:16-17 states. "You are slaves of the one you obey, either of sin, which leads you to death, or of obedience to teaching, which leads you to righteousness." And 1 John 3:8-9 states, "Whoever sins belongs to the Devil. No one, who is begotten by God, commits sin." Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, please examine yourselves sincerely and determine which category you belong to. Many of you believe some verses in the Bible, think they know and follow Christ, and are saved; and find themselves to be in the first one. Why? Because they do not truly know Christ, nor the True Faith, and are separated from the Source of Grace like branches separated from the Vine (John 15:6). St. Paul said in 1 Cor 9:27, "I chastise my body and bring it into subjection, lest perhaps, after I have preached to others, I myself should become a reprobate." St. Paul, an Apostle, was concerned about the possibility of losing his salvation, thus proving that 'Once Saved, Always Saved' or 'Faith alone" is a complete lie, and that the salvation requires a great efforts on our part to truly live according to Our Lord's Commandments of Love and observing All He commanded as taught by His One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church (Matt 28:20), so that we may be transformed into the True Image and Likeness of Christ (Rom 8:29, 2 Cor 3:18); because, we are judged, not by Faith, but according to our deeds and works (Rev 20:13, 22:12. Matt 25:31-46). Our Lord said, "Sins against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven (Matt 12:31-32, Mark 3:29, Luke 12:10)." Do not be shocked, brothers and sisters, who follow false teachings of protestant churches, but you all have sins against the Holy Spirit, who remains with and guide the Catholic Church always (John 14:16-17, 16:13). Why remain outside the Catholic Church, Our Lord's Only Fold (John 10:16), and risk your eternal salvation? Come to His Sheepfold quickly, like the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), before it is too late. Amen!

[@sulongenjop7436]

One is born again when one can love thy neighbours wholehearted in Jesus's name!❤

[@AngiedehDeharo]

Love listening to Dr. RC Sproul! Praying for his beautiful family.🙏✝️💜

[@santosj2274]

Praise & thank God for this man..

[@dpaul8615]

Thank you, I am do thrilled and fired up to hear this message of being ,'Born Again', that which transforms and regenerates my soul.Amen.The fruits of the spirit become so obvious in my behaviour.

[@mukeshscott3538]

Excellent preaching. Praise the Lord.

[@willardswelding7243]

Hearing someone joyfully share their saving encounter with the living God never gets old. Brother Sproul talks about Billy Graham joyfulling sharing his story. I get a kick out of watching this giant of academia get like a child before Christmas when he discusses not only his saving encounter with Christ, but also anyone else’s. The mark of the Joy of the Lord.

[@JasonSchmidt-1979]

Jesus is the Way and the Truth and the Life!

[@jdaze1]

The words of Yhwh are the way truth and life. Not the person speaking the living intangible anointed words of God. Thats idolatry. Jesus clearly stated he was speaking the living words of the Father. THEY are spirit and THEY are the life. Not of himself. Christians have TOTALLY missed the truth of the NT.

[@mariewilliams8697]

Thank you Pastor Sproul.

[@andrewbrowne5557]

I am a begrudging user of technology, but having access to R C is truly a blessing…

[@Gww376]

Teacher+prophet×U+...the wind the pages,I circled the property 1 acre...3 times...broke down overwhelmed with tears of joy and uplifting, amazing grace...under a clear nite of heavenly body's above.

[@2TSB222]

Thank you, Lord...My heart beats for YOU ❤

[@sanettekruger9585]

Amazing preaching, truely inspired by the Holy Spirit. He explains so intense that anyone can understand

[@zachuram]

AMEN! Miss R.C.!

[@JohnDoe-dr7ef]

"Your heart is beating for God,where it never did before" . That last statement is powerful. What an awesome man of God.

[@mordecaialivanallenoshea7532]

This was powerful!

[@rhondae8222]

Dr R.C. Sproul was an excellent Theologian. Praise God (Christ).

[@mcdouki1520]

Wow! God is truth!! That's was beautifully explained. Amen!

[@segtha7389]

In this it was like you explaining my experience of new birth . Wonderful brother.. heard of you before but enjoyed listening to you today..Its joy to go back to think of how Christ touched and changed me and to marvel to think of how it would it be the experience with all the born again believers in Christ . Hallelujah to our King..

[@OlgaSmirnova1]

How handsome! 🥰 such a blessed man,may he be in Glory wiry the father!

[@m2mike38]

Oh, how I wish there was, this kind of preacher in my country, Namibia. He teaches as I expected many other preachers to teach.

[@dunlapmichaell]

Great message and helpful to my soul.

[@mariomoreno9103]

I miss RC 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@Themagnetic1]

So good and grounding

[@newyorknight]

Amen Dr Sproul

[@davidlourensz4822]

I never really understood this phrase "to be born again" that so many Pentecostals were using, like they went to the church canteen and bought a born again tablet. What you have described is what has happened in my life (not trying to let it be known that this has happened but I do recognize in recent years the respect I have for God and seek his Word intensely). His Word has become food for me and I seek it like I seek physical food and cannot go for long without a top up.

[@budperez2921]

Praise God

[@NovaChristiePierRanuJoeDavidDb]

Amazing stuff.

[@makeitcount179]

" the Holy Spirit never leaves footprints in the sand" Abraham Kuyper

[@negf22]

i miss RC!

[@isblessed5785]

RC was a modern day Theologian Columbo ✝️💟✝️

[@jdaze1]

The old Adam vs the New Adam. This is the resurrection. Regeneration doesnt happen overnight. It takes a long journey to perfection. Spotless and without blemish. The holy spirit (incorruptible seed) is planted into our heart and it grows and grows until we have cruucified our old man. Being born again into new resurrection life. We just get a small drop at first but because its so amazing we think we have been fully regenerated. We will endure many ups and down on this road to being born again fully.

[@JesusAlleineRettet]

RC must have watched Robert Norman „Bob“ Ross the famous TV Painter. He’s actually buried not far from Orlando on a cemetery called Gotha. RC explained the process of being Born Again so well, I was thinking about my time back again when I was converted to Christ and the way I was converted was an absolutely spirit leadership and I didn’t even had a clue. A day before I called on God asking for help and right the same day he answered my call when I was saying only God can help us (me and my brother) now… …and he did. He just guided my feet where to walk and my mind to change the street right into an evangelical event. If I look back on my life God and the Spirit have guided and protected me from day one just to meet Christ one day in the future. I grew up in a Catholic Nun Child Host never heard anything about that you must be born again no one even told me something about that necessarily event, but I remember the one very kindly Nun took care of me when I was born from day one she was so kind to me and my brother and I will never forget her and what she did for me. God took care of me and he always will even in my times when I am down.

[@randycraig]

I thought the same thing, Bob Ross! ha ha

[@rubylove9475]

That was my first thought 😂

[@cmdesign01]

Look at how young he looks

[@Psalm119-50]

Beautiful! Coram Deo!

[@jasonmoncusgundinamo1811]

That’s awesome I have an experience like that with my gal

[@AndieZ4U2]

The eloquent, mysterious nature of the Holy Spirit can best be mentally and physically vocalized through the visual color palette of Elements of Art and Principles of Design.

[@carmenforsyth1313]

Amen!.👼

[@josephsummers1148]

Amen!

[@martiangaming329]

Would like to know the dates of these teachings from R C

[@wesleyn4545]

How do I gain an assurance of faith? I'm so depressed and I keep praying and reading the Bible. I keep asking Christ to show me mercy, every day. I only put my hope in Christ alone to save me, but how can I be assured that He has chosen me in particular?

[@Psalm146-2]

I will tell you how you can be sure… God tell us in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” There is a profoundly simple truth in that verse. Ask yourself “Do I believe that God came to the earth in human form (Immanuel), *took my sins with Him to the cross, died, and was resurrected?” If you answer that question YES then you are saved. There’s no need to second guess yourself - if you didn’t believe you wouldn’t even be asking the question to begin with because you wouldn’t care. Assurance of your salvation will come to you in time. I am an old man - I have seen how this works first hand. God is merciful, kind, patient, generous, and loving beyond our ability to even comprehend. When you start to question your salvation always go back to John 3:16 and ask yourself “Do I believe?” *Colossians 2:13-14 “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.”

[@gordoncrawley5826]

If you have put your faith in Christ alone for your salvation and have been baptized and are a part of a true biblical church, then consider yourself to be a born again Christian. (do not get me wrong here, salvation is a work of God and happens before baptism or church membership) The point is not only to be born again, but to grow up in your faith and being baptized and in a solid church, is part of how you grow in Christ. Be believing and accepting what God is doing in your life right now, for He is setting the stage for your future Christian life and service. Your pain today, could well be used in the future to help others, your having gone through it. Also, let your pain draw you closer to God, because sometimes those who have no problems drift away from God, thinking they can stand on their own. Your post shows me that God is working in your life, so be encouraged. I would suggest that you find a good Reformed Baptist Church, they helped me a lot. (If they have a rock band, find another, because they already have a foot in the world)

[@catholicintoeternity5679]

Catholics and Protestants agree that to be saved, you have to be born again. Jesus said so: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). When a Catholic says that he has been “born again,” he refers to the transformation that God’s grace accomplished in him during baptism. Evangelical Protestants typically mean something quite different when they talk about being “born again.” For an Evangelical, becoming “born again” often happens like this: He goes to a crusade or a revival where a minister delivers a sermon telling him of his need to be “born again.” “If you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and believe he died for your sins, you’ll be born again!” says the preacher. So the gentleman makes “a decision for Christ” and at the altar call goes forward to be led in “the sinner’s prayer” by the minister. Then the minister tells all who prayed the sinner’s prayer that they have been saved-”born again.” But is the minister right? Not according to the Bible. The Names of the New Birth Regeneration (being “born again”) is the transformation from death to life that occurs in our souls when we first come to God and are justified. He washes us clean of our sins and gives us a new nature, breaking the power of sin over us so that we will no longer be its slaves, but its enemies, who must fight it as part of the Christian life (cf. Rom. 6:1-22; Eph. 6:11-17). To understand the biblical teaching of being born again, we must understand the terms it uses to refer to this event. The term “born again” may not appear in the Bible. The Greek phrase often translated “born again” (gennatha anothen) occurs twice in the Bible-John 3:3 and 3:7-and there is a question of how it should be translated. The Greek word anothen sometimes can be translated “again,” but in the New Testament, it most often means “from above.” In the King James Version, the only two times it is translated “again” are in John 3:3 and 3:7; every other time it is given a different rendering. Another term is “regeneration.” When referring to something that occurs in the life of an individual believer, it only appears in Titus 3:5. In other passages, the new birth phenomenon is also described as receiving new life (Rom. 6:4), receiving the circumcision of the heart (Rom. 2:29; Col. 2:11-12), and becoming a “new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15). Regeneration in John 3 These different ways of talking about being “born again” describe effects of baptism, which Christ speaks of in John 3:5 as being “born of water and the Spirit.” In Greek, this phrase is, literally, “born of water and Spirit,” indicating one birth of water-and-Spirit, rather than “born of water and of the Spirit,” as though it meant two different births-one birth of water and one birth of the Spirit. In the water-and-Spirit rebirth that takes place at baptism, the repentant sinner is transformed from a state of sin to the state of grace. Peter mentioned this transformation from sin to grace when he exhorted people to “be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). The context of Jesus’ statements in John 3 makes it clear that he was referring to water baptism. Shortly before Jesus teaches Nicodemus about the necessity and regenerating effect of baptism, he himself was baptized by John the Baptist, and the circumstances are striking: Jesus goes down into the water, and as he is baptized, the heavens open, the Holy Spirit descends upon him in the form of a dove, and the voice of God the Father speaks from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son” (cf. Matt. 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:30-34). This scene gives us a graphic depiction of what happens at baptism: We are baptized with water, symbolizing our dying with Christ (Rom. 6:3) and our rising with Christ to the newness of life (Rom. 6:4-5); we receive the gift of sanctifying grace and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27); and we are adopted as God’s sons (Rom. 8:15-17). After our Lord’s teaching that it is necessary for salvation to be born from above by water and the Spirit (John 3:1-21), “Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea; there he remained with them and baptized” (John 3:22). Then we have the witness of the early Church that John 3:5 refers to baptismal regeneration. This was universally recognized by the early Christians. The Church Fathers were unanimous in teaching this: In A.D. 151, Justin Martyr wrote, “As many as are persuaded and believe that what we [Christians] teach and say is true . . . are brought by us where there is water and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated.” (First Apology 61). Around 190, Irenaeus, the bishop of Lyons, wrote, “And [Naaman] dipped himself . . . seven times in the Jordan’ [2 Kgs. 5:14]. It was not for nothing that Naaman of old, when suffering from leprosy, was purified upon his being baptized, but [this served] as an indication to us. For as we are lepers in sin, we are made clean, by means of the sacred water and the invocation of the Lord, from our old transgressions, being spiritually regenerated as newborn babes” (Fragment 34). In the year 252, Cyprian, the bishop of Carthage, said that when those becoming Christians “receive also the baptism of the Church . . . then finally can they be fully sanctified and be the sons of God . . . since it is written, ‘Except a man be born again of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God’ [John 3:5]” (Letters 71[72]:1). Augustine wrote, “no one becomes a member of Christ except it be either by baptism in Christ or death for Christ” (On the Soul and Its Origin 1:10 [A.D. 419]). Augustine also taught, “The water, therefore, manifesting exteriorly the sacrament of grace, and the Spirit effecting interiorly the benefit of grace, both regenerate in one Christ that man who was generated in Adam” (Letters 98:2 [A.D. 408]). Regeneration in the New Testament The truth that regeneration comes through baptism is confirmed elsewhere in the Bible. Paul reminds us in Titus 3:5 that God “saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit.” Paul also said, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4). This teaching-that baptism unites us with Christ’s death and resurrection so that we might die to sin and receive new life-is a key part of Paul’s theology. In Colossians 2:11-13, he tells us, “In [Christ] you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision [of] Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God” (NIV). May God bless you; and yours...

[@joykobayashi2533]

Amen

[@damnw1234]

Pray for me though i experienced rebirth but satan accuses me that I am not. This makes me feel doubtfully. I need prayer support.

[@josephtubergen9724]

Do you have ANY drop of love for Jesus Christ as he has revealed himself in scriptures? Do you cling to him alone for salvation? Have you sincerely turned away from your sinful lifestyle? I'm not speaking about perfection here, but sincerity. Final question to ask yourself. Do you find yourself continuing to go back to Jesus time and time again? If you have truly repented and believed, you will see within your life a continuation of repentance and believing. It is ongoing in the Christian life. May the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort bless you in these things

[@Lia_872]

@@josephtubergen9724 that's really nice of you to take the time to reply .. Grace and peace be with you

[@judyl.761]

Dann, I prayed for you. I am in your same situation. I am born again yet demons remain oppressing me. Please pray for me as well brother.

[@SolaScriptura94]

Dann, who is more powerful; the Creator, or the accuser? Who's will & authority will rule? “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1John 4: 4 Lean on God for peace and assurance, not your own strength or understanding.

[@gordoncrawley5826]

We will all struggle in the faith, because the flesh and the spirit struggle against one another. Ironically, this struggle shows that the Spirit is working in you, because if it were not, you would not care. Find a solid bible teaching church, read your bible, take your cares before the Lord, and you will grow away from your doubts as you mature in the faith. Don't follow your feelings, but remember what the Word of God says, and follow that. You are just in a season of your life, you will grow out of it, with God's help.

[@godwinfofung8109]

I know alot of people who do good and have good behave but they have rejected the Gospel.

[@jd-gw4gr]

dr sproul give a great definition of the unregenerate person: at best indifferent or at worst hostile towards God: my problem is at times i'm still indifference toward the Holy Spirit; wrenched mam that i'm, who can save me from this body of death?Amen

[@Matrixqc777]

*“The new birth of which our Lord spoke is that mighty change wrought of God in the SOUL of man when He imparts to him eternal life and renews him in the image of God. This CHANGE (process) is the work of the Holy Spirit wrought in man, convincing him of sin, and leading him to repentance and faith whereby he is BORN FROM ABOVE with eternal life as a gift from God.”*

[@jonelle2911]

I still cannot explain it 😭 and I feel a bit guilty because I must be able to answer when someone asks me

[@JasonSchmidt-1979]

Practice sharing your faith. Gospel tracts are a good place to start:)

[@tongakhan230]

Those who are born again will not go around flouting it. These are the FEW who are chosen to rule with Jesus in his heavenly Government (Revelation 20:6). Luke 12:32 “Have no fear, LITTLE FLOCK, for your Father has approved of giving you the Kingdom. Hope this is helpful.

[@jonelle2911]

@@tongakhan230 thank you. I will meditate on these❤️

[@malcolmscrivener8750]

@@tongakhan230 Not really . That’s the opposite of the great commission .We ARE to flout it and preach the gospel to all nations . You know . Don’t hide your light under a bushel but set it on a lamp stand for all to see .

[@malcolmscrivener8750]

@@jonelle2911 False teaching here .

[@barbaratiekenheinrich7200]

Wow 🇨🇦

[@brucedavenport7016]

This guy preaches/preached the concision!! Repent, be baptised, get filled with the Holy Spirit, walk in Christ. That is how to get saved and how to stay saved!

[@johnamorim5247]

"The unregenerate person is at best indifferent about the things of God". I found peace on it.

[@samniumspyder]

No one cares about you narcissist. Except the one you hate😢

[@shellybendijo4747]

Missing Dr Sproul

[@mikedowns6150]

True, too few understand what "born again" means. Today's Christians are too comfortable practicing Churchianity, listening to ministers preach the milk of the word (or pounding their Bibles as they complain about what is going on in the world). Churches are complacent, waiting for sinners to come to them for salvation, rather than doing as Christ and his apostles did, following the leading of the Spirit to get out in their communities (and beyond) to share the word of God and the road to salvation. Christians who just sit and listen to sermons are quenching the Spirit. Why bother to gain knowledge of what the Bible teaches if one isn't going to put it into practice or allow the Spirit to lead them in sharing that knowledge?

[@deepakhansda3401]

❤️

[@elainemeyer-hp6ye]

Vermeer,Rembrandt and Michelangelo.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻