The term, born again, has become very popular in our day, even in the news and entertainment media. Political leaders use it to gain the ear of the religious crowd.

One night Jesus told Nicodemus that, Except a man be BORN AGAIN, he cannot see the Kingdom of God [JOH 3:3]. Nicodemus was a religious man. He was a religious leader of the strictest sect, the Pharisees. Yet with all his religious background and practice he needed to be born again. Evidently it is not just a label applied to people who BECOME very religious because even a very religious man needed to be born again. Yes, everyone MUST be born again. The reason for this is that all are born sinners and as such enter the world on their way to Hell. It is written, All have sinned and come short of the glory of God [ROM 3:23].

Many believe that "baptism" removes original sin and guilt and makes one a child of God. Remember, Nicodemus had every "sacrament" going in his day and Jesus still told him, You must be born again or you cannot even see the Kingdom of God. The Bible teaches that baptism is for BELIEVERS. You may be baptised, a member of a church, and VERY religious, and yet be LOST. You need to be born again in order to become a child of God.

Must everyone be born again? The early verses of the Gospel according to John make the answer very plain. John begins by telling us that Jesus is God, creator of all things and giver of life [verses 1-5]. Then in John 1:12 we have one of the greatest statements ever penned. Here we read, But as many as received Him [Jesus], to those He gave power to become sons of God, even to those who believe on His name. Whether a person is devoutly religious or one of the vilest of men, until he is born again, he is a child of the Devil [see JOH 8:33 ff. especially verse 44]. Everyone born into this world, yes the cutest, dearest little child [Jesus only excepted] is by nature a sinner--a child of the Devil. Abraham, Moses, Ruth, David, Daniel, John, Paul and Mary are no exceptions. Mary’s words are recorded for all to read, And Mary said, My soul does magnify the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God MY SAVIOR [LUK 1:46, 47]. David, by inspiration of God, put it this way, Behold I was shaped in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me [PSA 51:5]. Jesus said You MUST be born again. He did not say, you must join a church, lodge or any other organization. He did not say if you are sincere all will be well. He did not say you must learn certain "deep" spiritual truths. He did not say you must give to the poor and be kind to your neighbor to be saved. He did not say you must give to the Church and the Church will get you to Heaven. He did not say you must reform your life, keep the Ten Commandments, observe certain sacraments and then you will become a child of God. Jesus said none of these things about obtaining salvation. He did say, You MUST be born again.

Whoever RECEIVES the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior becomes a child of God. One becomes a child by birth in the physical realm. One also becomes a child of God by birth in the spiritual realm. This spiritual birth is just as real an event as the physical birth. Where once all were children of the Devil, now by RECEIVING Jesus Christ as Savior one becomes a child of God. This becoming a child of God by BELIEVING on the Lord Jesus Christ is what Jesus calls being born again. I fear that many wish to call doubt and disbelief, BELIEVING. It is no such thing.

YOU MUST be born again by the Spirit of God OR spend eternity in the Lake of Fire. Have YOU RECEIVED the Lord Jesus Christ as YOUR Savior and been born again?

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This Page Last Updated: 12/25/99 A. Allison Lewis aalewis@christianbeliefs.org