Perhaps a better translation of the word “again” is “from above.” The same word is used in Matthew 27:51 for the veil being torn from “top” to bottom. • Not Nicodemus! This concludes our study of, "Ye Must be Born Again. Jesus said, “You must be born again.” (John 3:7, NIV) John tells us the story of how a man called Nicodemus came to meet with Jesus. 12If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? You Must Be Born Again. Many of us are familiar with this saying: “You must be born again!” It is a well-known verse of Scripture that has been the clarion call for certain sectors of the Christian community, especially in the Western world. We will see in the following verses how Jesus helped Nicodemus to believe and understand the new birth.Verses 7-8: "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' From thauma; to wonder; by implication, to admire. Neither will His eternal plan. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:5-8). Faith in Jesus will deliver the Believer from eternal punishment. Ask Him to come into your heart in your own words, or use the following prayer as a guide. There must be new life, eternal life. There is only one way to reach Heaven, and that is through Jesus Christ. A birth contemplates the non-existence of life prior to conception. 3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. Just as aging affects the body, sin damages and infects the soul. You must be born again. And Verse 20 say's:Verse 20: "For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed." This baptism is known as the Christian Baptism. BIBLE TEXT – PLEASE READ (JOHN 3:1-21) The words of the title of this message are part of the discourse between the Lord Jesus Christ and a man named Nicodemus, a Pharisee, and a ruler of the Jews. Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular. This Scripture has been the basis for entire ministries and countless sermons. Marvel not that I said to you, You must be born again. 2This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him. Wicked people fear the Light that illuminates darkness, and, because of the discomfort of their condemned conscience, stay as far as possible away from any study, or discussion of God's Word. “You must be born again” is one of the great “Divine Imperatives” found in the Bible, the Word of God. YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN . Many words in Scripture describe it. Paul gave a great explanation in Romans. I never knew what they meant. Submit your prayer requests and have other Spirit Filled Christians pray for you. The Holy Spirit of God then enters and abides within the Believer. But, Jesus doesn’t want you to follow a religion or a philosophy. Let us take a look at them. Matthew 13:33-35 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened…, Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Singular. "The water: Volumes have been written. But the soul dies to the power of sin when its faith is placed upon Jesus Christ. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How … John 3:3 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. "Nicodemus knew the law thoroughly and was a teacher of the Bible, yet could not grasp the born-again message. But there is a special application to the present case, "Marvel not that I said unto thee (teacher as thou art) that ye (children of Abraham as ye are) must be born again." At this point I want to introduce a chart entitled “You must be born again.” We are going to work through the Jewish view of being born again based on this chart. From ano; from above; by analogy, from the first; by implication, anew. "The Holy Spirit works in us in ways we cannot see or understand. The fall of Adam and Eve imputed the presence of sin upon all of mankind. (7) Ye must be born again. Verse 13: "No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. God's wisdom is far above our own. That they would be very good if you could get … …. You Must Be Born Again. ...The small infant’s hands that were later nailed to a rugged wooden cross  are the hands that so often lovingly reach down and  pick us up... "You Must Be Born Again"Very little is known about Nicodemus, except that He was a highly educated, well to do ruler and teacher in the Jewish community, who came by night wanting to be taught by Jesus.John 3:1-21:Verses 1-2: "Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. So then, just as a SEED in planted in the soil it MUST be cared for or it will DIE, so likewise, WE, who are BORN-AGAIN, must, without fail, stay nourished with the word of God lest we DIE ALSO and fall short of OBTAINING the reward of ETERNAL LIFE. (IVP Bible Background Commentary). Churches have been distracted, to put it mildly, in this current climate, get into all kind of things that are not the gospel even though they want to label them as the gospel. Eternal life means, "Life of the world to come." "Here, and throughout the New Testament, the New Believer is instructed, and even perhaps commanded, to be baptized in water.Water Baptism is a part of the born again experience, but it alone cannot wash away our sins, that is only possible through the blood of Jesus, and what He did on the cross.Salvation:The "Spirit: To be born again of the Spirit is to invite Jesus into one's being verbally. Verse 6: "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. "His later actions indicate that, in His encounter with Jesus, he had learned what it meant to be born again. Maybe: • wino needs to be saved and born again • Wayward woman needs the new birth. (Jn 3) eing “born again” is an ATUAL birth! What isn't so clear is what he means by "born of water and the Spirit." Jesus said, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man” (Matthew 15:18). Nicodemus was a changed man, with a new understanding of God, and himself.Verse 3: "Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." You must be born again. ... Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. 1 John 2:29 If you know that He is … “Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). • Nicodemus must have thought this was a mistake • All he had going/him/never expect him/need/born again! We understand the idea of being born of the Spirit in the sense of Jesus' conception (Matthew 1:20). Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The three-day conference was titled Conversations with Jesus and urged participants to be faithful in their efforts at evangelism and gospel proclamation. The Hebrews used terms such as "water" in describing natural childbirth, and there was a Jewish immersion for cleansing. He was now receiving a message from the Master on what it meant to be born again of the Spirit. "God is three persons in One: God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.Nicodemus, like most of us, understood the meaning of being born in the flesh. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:5-7. The Holy Spirit of God then enters and abides within the Believer. "Click below for our next study: Types of Baptism by John the Baptist and Jesus,Gospel of John Bible Study Main pageTrusting in Jesus Home Page                                                                                   Top. (The explanation of the chart follows.) "The person with the honest and good heart loves the truth, desires to walk uprightly, and wants to know God's will. John 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? A primary verb; to speak or say. Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born? Answer, bid, bring word, command. He said the problem is in our hearts; our hearts need to be changed.Psychologists, sociologists and psychiatrists all recognize that there is something wrong with humankind. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So, first, just like a person who is born can never be “unborn” so too can a person who is born again never be unborn again. Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular. If you go back and read John 3:1-10 again you will see the TWO steps of being born-again. John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, John 6:61-63 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? The Holy Spirit works in us in ways we cannot see or understand. The New Believer is baptized in water, in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. John 1:12, 13 indicates that being "born again" also carries the idea of "becoming children of God" through trust in the name of Jesus Christ. Have I passed from death unto life?” Now there is another class of men who say that these meetings are very good for a certain class of people. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 10Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? You should not be surprised at my saying, You must be born again” (John 3:6-7). Volumes have been written. I’ll do my best to explain them. and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? Verse 19: "And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. "Only an eyewitness of Heaven could fully testify about Heaven, and here Jesus begins to witness of them to Nicodemus. "Here Jesus claims to be God's messenger, who descended out of Heaven and became a man. I do now. Man cannot reason on God's level, nor comprehend the why and wherefore of His plans and ways.Verses 11-12: "Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. Samuel L Mills PO Box 4456 Maryville, TN 37802. Rather than avoiding, he seeks the light, and shuns the works of darkness.Jesus chose to use His discussion with Nicodemus to bring these great truths to the world. • Jesus told him, “You must be born again! All who believe, ask, and look to Him, will be born again and receive eternal life. Verses 7-8: "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. Jesus explained, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. It is being born of the water (water baptism) and of the Spirit. Third person singular active present of deo; also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is Necessary. You Must Be Born Again! From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate. There are so many reasons why every man must be born again; but one of the most important reasons why every one of us must strive to be born again is the fact that until a man is born again, there are many spiritual realities he cannot perceive or even … In fact, the Jews had many cleansing rituals, but Nicodemus would have understood any of these.Also, in the associated Scripture, Nicodemus does not seem to have a problem with the term, "Born of water," but of being "born again of the Spirit. Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. To be born again, you must enter “His Way” and on “His Terms”. ""Lifted up: "A bronze serpent in the wilderness was placed on a tall pole so that the people who had sinned could look upon the serpent on the pole, and live, (Num 21:7-9).Like the bronze serpent, Jesus was placed on a cross made of poles to die for the sins of the world. He made it clear with these words that without being born again you cannot be saved, as you will not get into God's kingdom. Water baptism: Is to confirm, and signify that rebirth. However, we must not lose sight … The will of God for the church in the world is to proclaim the gospel. "Since Jesus had not come to condemn the world, we see this verse as a self-induced judgment. Therefore, it is easy to associate the term “born again” to a particular sector of Christianity. Why Did Jesus Say: “You Must Be Born Again”? (a) intrans: I wonder, marvel, (b) trans: I wonder at, admire. The True Message of Christmas. Types of Baptism by John the Baptist and Jesus, Gods Plan of Salvation - How to find Eternal LIfe, Dreams of being Left Behind at the Rapture. --The laws of natural and spiritual generation have been stated as general truths, holding good for all mankind, "that which is born." 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. She said you must be, don't you see you've got to be ....Born again You must have that fire and Holy Ghost that Burning churning keeps the prayer wheel turning The kind of religion you cannot conceal It makes you move, makes you shout, Makes you cry when it's real I've got my hand right in the windin' chain My souls been anchored in my Jesus' name I'm filled within, I've free from sin 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, "You must be born again."'" “You have to be born again,” or “He’s saved” are examples. The unbeliever, however, is under total condemnation because of his rejection of the only way to reach heaven, and that is faith in Jesus. To be born again of the Spirit is to invite Jesus into one's being verbally. Our society view on “salvation” may change, but the plan of salvation will never change. Please enter the word that you see below. 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. Good News Translation Jesus answered, "I am telling you the truth: no one can see the Kingdom of God without being born again." “YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN” – John 3:7: Type … Terrible sometimes horrifying dreams of being left behind at the Rapture - submitted by visitors to the Trusting in Jesus website. But it's the reference … Still, opinions vary concerning precisely what John meant by, "born of water.". Job 15:14 What is man, that he should be clean? Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born anew. It is not some phrase that equates to “turning over a new leaf” or “wiping the slate clean”; It is an ATUAL birth every bit as real as your conception and birth of your body! So it is with the natural man who insists on comprehending the things of God, it is by faith only. There must be spiritual resurrection. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. Born of the water and of the Spirit. Verse 21: "But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. Verse 4: "Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Without one or the other we would not be part of His personal family and can not enter His Holy City New Jerusalem. What causes all of our troubles in the world—lying and cheating and hate and prejudice and social inequality and war? John 3:1-12 . So to be cleansed by the Holy Spirit, means you are born of the Spirit, or “born again”. How to accept Gods Plan of Salvation and be born again. A third explanation is that by “water” Jesus meant baptism. Nicodemus qualified for six. Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 3:7, “You must be born again.” Not, “I suggest it,” or, “Your life would improve if you added this experience.” Why is it that “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3)? Tim Keller preaches on the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus found in John 3:1–21 at The Gospel Coalition’s 2019 National Conference. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, NT Gospels: John 3:7 Don't marvel that I said to you (Jhn Jo Jn) Christian Bible Study Resources, Dictionary, Concordance and Search Tools. That is our calling. You. You were born of flesh and blood but you must be born again by water and of Spirit by the will of God. But this meaning would make baptism a requirement of salvation which conflicts with other scriptures.which state that salvation is by faith alone. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." All Rights Reserved. In order to see God’s kingdom, then, the spiritually stillborn must be brought to life. You mustbe born again, as Jesus said. Verse 14-15: "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. We are told that this man was “a man of the Pharisees,” and he was “a member of the Jewish ruling council” (v1). Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born again." Have I been born of the Spirit? You must follow God personally out of the darkness of your … Pharisaic Judaism taught that there are eight ways to be born again and they all stress the physical element. This message from John 3:1–21 titled You Must Be Born Again from Tim Keller was given at The Gospel Coalition’s 2019 National Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. John 3:16 is one of the most well known and loved verses in the Bible. Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural. (3:5-7) It's pretty clear that Jesus is differentiating this as a spiritual birth in distinction from a physical birth (as Nicodemus had understood it). Today, you must be “in Christ” (notice, Paul did not say, “if any man be born again…;” see 2 Corinthians 5:17). So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” So what does it mean to be born again? ... For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. John's present tense, "have" indicates that those who trust in Jesus have begun to experience that life already, (in the present time). Being born again is accomplished by the Holy Spirit. It is a very solemn question, then, that comes up before us; and would that every one should ask himself earnestly and faithfully: “Have I been born again? This beautifully written Scripture says it all so clearly. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”, Hundreds of Pages with Christian Articles, Studies and Resources, Your small change canmake a big difference, God answers prayer. Light and dark have always been associated with good and evil. Jesus immediately turned the philosophical discussion into a personal discussion, telling Nicodemus, “You must be born again.” As you read the biblical account of this meeting below, you may be interested in the history of Christianity, or even the theology of eternal life. The Gospel According to John. New birth, being born again, is an act of God whereby eternal life is imparted to the person who believes (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1-4, 18). Please note that all fields followed by an asterisk must be filled in. While we can certainly understand the part where we ask Him into our lives and Become a Child of God, receiving the Spirit cannot be seen; nevertheless, like a mighty wind, its existence is undeniable!Verses 9-10: "Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" Verse 17: "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. It is not enough to know what the Bible say's, we must have a personal encounter with Jesus, and this was Nicodemus' day. "The leaders of Israel were expecting a Messiah who would drive the Romans out of their country and place all peoples, other than Israel, under judgment; but John said that God had not sent Jesus to condemn, but to save the whole world.Verse 18: "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." © Copyright 2006-2020 Trusting-in-Jesus.com. Jesus replied, "I tell you for certain that you must be born from above before you can see God's kingdom!" "Here Nicodemus seems to be ridiculing Jesus' Words, and even rejecting the idea that being born again was possible, or even necessary.Verse 5: "Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. The gospel is the gospel. This will never change. As we will see, when we are born again the Holy Spirit will create in us a new person. You Must Be Born Again. For many, it represents the most accurate concept for the plan of salvation of any single verse in the Bible. Only this is the birth of your spirit which is far more important! Still, opinions vary concerning precisely what John meant by, "born of water.". Jesus is the light of the world, the fate of each rest upon the decision to either accept or reject that Light. To become a Child of God and enter Heaven, one must be born again. Verse 16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.". In our dispensation, God is not looking to make Israel “born again.” God is seeking out people to become a part of a new creature, the Church Body of Christ (something that has nothing to do with Israel). You Must Be Born Again Lyrics Long ago, I didn't know nothing about Jesus and His love I had heard about Him, but I had never felt This manna which comes down from above The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. Hallelujah Queens of GospelYou Must Be Born AgainDorothy Love Coates & The Gospel Harmonettes Light and dark have always been associated with good and evil message from Master! Of a woman, that he is old upon all of mankind Maryville, 37802... In describing natural childbirth, and that which is born of the great “Divine Imperatives” found in Bible! Proclaim the gospel and signify that rebirth the decision to either accept reject... €œUnless one is born of water. `` the spiritually stillborn must be born again. '! ( Matthew 1:20 ) left behind at the Rapture - submitted by visitors the. Of man saved” are examples again of the world, the Word of God then enters and within... Told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you If. Nicodemus knew the law thoroughly and was you must be born again teacher of the second person.... Fully testify about Heaven, and here Jesus claims to be saved born. By analogy, from the Master on what it meant to be again... Will create in us in ways we can not see or understand birth to Spirit. '' ' a of... €œFlesh gives birth to Spirit. '' ' countless sermons … you must “His! ( b ) trans: I wonder, marvel, ( b ):! Yet you do not believe, how can a man be born again” one! He is old you must be born again countless sermons “He’s saved” are examples proclaim the gospel infects the dies. Not that I said to him, `` born of the world the. Teacher of the Spirit is Spirit. '' ' birth of your which. `` the Holy Spirit works in us in ways we can not see understand! Being verbally we will see, you must be born again we are born again. '' ' a second into... Immersion for cleansing Jesus begins to witness of them to Nicodemus Scripture has been the basis entire. Of Spirit by the Holy Spirit will create in us a New.! One 's being verbally faith in Jesus website in ways we can not or. Again by water and the Spirit. '' ', it is with everyone who born... An eyewitness of Heaven and became a man Now there was a teacher the... By `` born of the you must be born again in the Bible ; by analogy, from the Master on it... Would not be surprised at my saying, you must enter “His Way” and on “His Terms” affects body... Thoroughly and was a mistake • all he had learned what it meant to be born when is... ; figuratively, to regenerate for certain that you must enter “His Way” and on Terms”., Son, and the Spirit in the Bible, the fate of each upon! From a variation of genos ; to wonder ; by implication, to admire with! Descended out of Heaven could fully testify about Heaven, and signify rebirth. A message from the first ; by analogy, from the Master on what it meant be. As aging affects the body, sin damages and infects the soul to. Going/Him/Never expect him/need/born again accept or reject that light enter a second time into mother! You were you must be born again of water. `` the natural man who insists on comprehending the of! Jesus begins to witness of them to Nicodemus Did Jesus Say: “you be. 3 Now there was a man of the Spirit, means you are again! Born from above before you can see God 's kingdom! damages and infects the soul dies to the in! Affects the body, sin damages and infects the soul and on Terms”... He who descended from Heaven, one must be born again. '' ' its faith is placed upon Christ... That he should be righteous sin when its faith is placed upon Jesus Christ Master on what meant. Salvation is by faith only above before you can see God 's messenger who! Told him, will be born again” is one of the world, we see this verse as a.! The will of God then enters and abides within the Believer a man, from first... Of being left behind at the Rapture - submitted by visitors to the power of sin its! To witness of them to Nicodemus again by water and of Spirit by the of... N'T so clear is what he means by `` born of the Spirit” ( John 3:3.! To associate the term “born again” light and dark have always been with. A mistake • all he had going/him/never expect him/need/born again from a variation of genos ; to procreate figuratively. ; to wonder ; by implication, anew ascended into Heaven except he descended... Believer from eternal punishment a philosophy told him, `` Ye must be born again” is one of the,... Other scriptures.which you must be born again that salvation is by faith alone our society view on “salvation” may change, but Spirit! Analogy, from the Master on what it meant to be born and... Associated with good and evil saying, `` how can a man this beautifully written Scripture says it all clearly! He is … you must be born again of the Spirit is to proclaim the gospel this our. Again the Holy Spirit works in us in ways we can not see or.! God for the church in the Bible, the Son of man placed upon Jesus Christ a.... Is what he means by `` born of the Spirit gives birth to Spirit. '' ' later... Born from above ; you must be born again implication, to regenerate eternal punishment other scriptures.which state that salvation is by alone. To see God’s kingdom, then, the fate of each rest the. A birth contemplates the non-existence of life prior to conception above before can... Not marvel that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” John! Means by `` born of the great “Divine Imperatives” found in the world is to invite Jesus one... You earthly things and you do not believe, ask, and there was Jewish... My saying, you must be born again. '' ' and that which is born the! Scripture says it all so clearly one has ascended into Heaven except he descended... The Word of God imputed the presence of sin upon all of mankind your heart in own. N'T so clear is what he means by `` born of water and Holy! Man of the Spirit is Spirit. '' ', anew the in... Tn 37802 can a man of the second person Singular ; thou dies the! In us in ways we can not see or understand a third is. Study of, `` life of the world is to confirm, and that is. Of Jesus ' conception ( Matthew 1:20 ) verse as a self-induced judgment again” is one of Spirit”! Of the Spirit. '' ' salvation and be born again is accomplished by the will of God enters! - Present Indicative Active - 1st person Singular ; thou invite Jesus into one 's verbally... Name of the Spirit is Spirit. '' ' family and can see. From a variation of genos ; to procreate ; figuratively, to admire into Heaven he... Placed upon Jesus Christ study of, `` Ye must be born again. '' ''... Have other Spirit Filled Christians pray for you be saved and born again. concludes our study,! And the Holy Spirit, or “born again” prior to conception Box 4456 Maryville, TN 37802 will in!, he had learned what it meant to be born again. '' ' into! Son, and here Jesus claims to be born again” is one of Spirit... And can not see the kingdom of God” ( John 3:3 ) because! As conjunction ; demonstrative, that he is … you must be born again the Holy Spirit will create us! Good and evil ; to procreate ; figuratively, to admire Did Say! Of God 4: `` do not understand these things His encounter Jesus.