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What is the new birth?

The phrase "the new birth" comes directly from the Lord's conversation with Nicodemus in John 3. It refers to a particular event in a person's life when he comes into a right relationship with God, based on the death, burial, and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ.

Why do we need a second birth?

The answer goes all the way back to Adam in the Garden of Eden. When Eve was tempted, and gave in to the Devil's offer, she gave it to Adam. The book of Romans tells us that Adam willingly took the fruit and ate, so that Eve would not be in disobedience alone. Adam, as the federal head of the human race, plunged all of humanity into sin.

Since Adam, every person born on this planet is born a sinner. He has a sin nature. While alive in body, he is dead in soul and spirit. The only way for him to have divine life is through a new birth from above.

Ephesians 2:1-6

"And you hath he quickened (made alive) who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Wherein in times past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience; (the Devil).

Among whom also we all (notice the universality of being in sin) had our conversation (manner of life) in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature (born into it) the children of wrath, even as others.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us (made us alive) together with Christ,(by grace are ye saved;)

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." (Italics mine).

The state of all men is the same. We are not some better than others. We cannot be saved by our good works. God has concluded all men to be in the same state. They are lost, hopeless, and helpless, and cannot save themselves. That is the initial point of salvation. A man, before he can come to Christ, must see himself as a hopeless sinner, and destitute of grace.

A dead man needs life. He has no ability to do anything.

Remember Nicodemus in John 3? His whole life involved religion and good works and yet the Lord said to him, "Ye must (Greek: of logical necessity) be born again."

How does a person get the new birth?

From the onset, the new birth is wholly and completely of God. The Holy Spirit of God takes the initiative. A lost man does not look for God, or seek God, unless the Holy Spirit prompts his heart, and awakens in him a desire to do so. The Spirit will take the claims of Christ and his salvation, and impress them upon the heart of an unbelieving sinner, and the sinner is allowed to comprehend his lost condition. In that moment of time, the sinner makes a choice-yes, I accept that I am a lost sinner and in need of a Savior; noI do not need a Savior. A person's eternity is determined then and there. If he says yesthe Holy Spirit births him into the family of God and he is born again. If he refuses, he walks away from that moment a bit harder to reach and colder to the Gospel.

Learn more about this author, Dr. Michael Smith.
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