WHAT IS A BORN-AGAIN & HOW TO BECOME ONE

INDUCTIVE BIBLE TOPIC STUDY

WHAT IS A BORN-AGAIN & HOW TO BECOME ONE

By Dennis Schmidt 3/2007

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This paper discusses what is a Born-Again person and how does one become Born-Again. A Born-Again person has two births, one of the flesh (normal baby birth) and a spiritual birth (from God above). The flesh birth produces human desires, goals resulting in death. The spiritual birth produces a Godly union with sonship desires, goals resulting in life eternal for the person. All scriptures are from the King James' version Bible.

INDUCTIVE COMMENTS:

THEME: For a person to see the kingdom of God (Jesus is king and people are citizens) he must be born again. I discuss the entire born-again John scriptures below.

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."Born again is spiritual re-birth by adoption to enter kingdom.

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man <be> in Christ, <he is> a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." New birth equals new creature. Desire for God things.

1 Peter 1:23 "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." God does the adoption into his family through the word.

Ephesians 1:5 "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will"Adoption in Romans 8 & Galatians 4 for more information

PURPOSE: The purpose for man to become born-again is a child and his Father God having fellowship. God created man for that reason. Man can only have an abundant life when he worships God in spirit & truth. Man can then enjoy God's love, mercy, and grace in an everlasting relationship with his heavenly Father. God has made man as the only creature to be given a spiritual & moral nature made in God's own image. Man can think and reason. He has self awareness to fellowship with God in a spiritual life given him from above.

Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what <is> that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Change

Colossians 2:6 "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, <so> walk ye in him:" Our new emphasis on God's relationship.

Colossians 3:10 "And have put on the new <man>, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:" Our change.

KEY VERSE: For a person to see the kingdom of God (Jesus is king and people are citizens) he must be born again. I discuss the entire born-again John scriptures below.

WHO: God mainly by Bible authors John, Paul, and Peter

TO WHOM: Elected Christians

WHAT: The main Bible scriptures with my comments on being born again by God power.

John 3:1-8 "There was a man of the Pharisees (RELIGIOUS PARTY), named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews (1 OF 70 MOST IMPORTANT RELIGIOUS RULERS IN ISRAEL): {2} The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi (TEACHER, BUT NOT MESSIAH), we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest (MIRACLES ARE SIGN OF GOD'S MINISTRY), except God be with him (NICODEMUS, EVEN AS A RELIGIOUS LEADER, RECOGNIZED JESUS MINISTRY WAS VERY SPECIAL). {3} Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, (VERY IMPORTANT) I say unto thee, Except a man be born again (SECOND BIRTH WHICH IS SPIRITUAL), he cannot see the kingdom of God (JEWS BELIEVED THEY WERE ALREADY IN THE KINGDOM. JESUS SAID A SPIRITUAL RE-BIRTH, BY ADOPTION, WAS REQUIRED). {4} Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old (NORMAL HUMAN BIRTH)? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb (HUMAN UNDERSTANDING ONLY), and be born? {5} Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and <of> the Spirit (WATER IN NORMAL BIRTH & SPIRIT FOR RE-BIRTH), he cannot enter into the kingdom of God (RE-BIRTH REQUIRED TO ENTER KINGDOM, NOT WORKS, LAW, CHURCH MEMBERSHIP, RELIGIOUS SERVICE OR MINISTRY). {6} That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. {7} Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. {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 (GOD DOES IT. MAN CAN NOT UNDERSTAND)." (WATER IS ALSO A FIGURE FOR THE POWER IN THE WORD. i.e. Ephesians 5:26 "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,")

John 3:12-18 "If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you <of> heavenly things (HEAVENLY THINGS WILL FOLLOW)? {13} And no man hath ascended up to heaven (JESUS IS THE GOD/MAN FROM HEAVEN), but he that came down from heaven (JESUS), <even> the Son of man which is in heaven. (JESUS IS TRUE MAN AND TRUE GOD AT THE SAME TIME. WHILE ON EARTH JESUS, AND AS GOD, IS STILL IN HEAVEN.) {14} And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness (NUMBERS 21:8-9 TELLS THAT IF A JEW IS BITTEN BY SNAKE. IF HE HAS FAITH, HE IS TO LOOK AT POLE WITH SNAKE ON IT AND HE WILL NOT DIE.), even so must the Son of man be lifted up (ON THE CROSS): {15} That whosoever (ANY TYPE PERSON: MALE/FEMALE, RICH/POOR, KING/SLAVE, ETC; NOT EVERY PERSON.) believeth in him should not perish (FOR NORMAL HUMAN BIRTH WITHOUT A RE-BIRTH), but have eternal life (EVERLASTING RELATIONSHIP AS PART OF GOD'S FAMILY). {16} For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son (UNIQUE, UNTIL JESUS, THEN MANY MORE SONS), that whosoever believeth in him (SAME WHOSOEVER IN VS 15) should not perish, but have everlasting life. {17} For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world (JESUS CAME THE FIRST TIME TO SAVE SINNERS. JESUS WILL COME A SECOND TIME TO JUDGE.); but that the world through him might be saved. {18} He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (BELIEVE IN JESUS DEATH & RESURRECTION.)

WHY: The purpose for man to become born-again is a child and his Father God having fellowship. God created man for that reason. Man can only have an abundant life when he worships God in spirit & truth. Man can then enjoy God's love, mercy, and grace in an everlasting relationship with his heavenly Father. God has made man as the only creature to be given a spiritual & moral nature made in God's own image. Man can think and reason. He has self awareness to fellowship with God in a spiritual life given him from above.

1 Peter 1:23 "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." God does the adoption into his family through the word.

Ephesians 1:5 "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will"Adoption in Romans 8 & Galatians 4 for more information

1 John 2:29 "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him." Made Jesus-righteous.

1 John 4:7 "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." Others.

1 John 5:1 "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him." Christ is chosen one of God (divine Son).

1 John 5:4 "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, <even> our faith." God's power to change from self-centered to God-centered.

WAY: God does the regeneration operation on His children only.

Matthew 18:3 "And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Child like belief and trust equals faith.

John 1:12 "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, <even> to them that believe on his name:"

Receive, not accept. God is offering a gift, we do the receiving.

John 3:14-15 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: {15} That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." Believe that Jesus death on cross restored the relationship.

Romans 10:9-10 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. {10} For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."Evidence of our faith is confession showing change.

Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." God can not lie. He said it and He will do it.

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: <it is> the gift of God: {9} Not of works, lest any man should boast." We believe & God gives grace (flavor).

WHEREAS: Born again from above.

Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what <is> that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Change

Colossians 2:6 "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, <so> walk ye in him:" Our new emphasis on God's relationship.

Colossians 3:10 "And have put on the new <man>, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:" Our change.

WHERE: Earth

WHEN: All Times

WHILE: Faith is required.

Hebrews 1:3 "Who (Jesus) being the brightness of <his/Father's> glory, and the express image of his person (substance)...."Just as Jesus is real (He exists & His disciples touched Him (1 John 1:1), so faith (the same greek word for substance) exist and is real.

Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Faith is not the same as hope. Hope is wishing for something. Faith is having it in a faith dimension. When God reveals (manifests) it to this dimension is up to Him. We are to believe, when we pray, that the answer has already occurred. Future prayers are thanksgiving & praise for God's gift we already have in the faith dimension. It is as real as Jesus exists.

Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith <it is> impossible to please <him>: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and <that> he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." God wants us to live/walk a life of faith in every area (health, needs family, desires, eating, etc) of our lives.

PAPER OUTLINE:

I) FIRST BIBLE STATEMENTS OF BORN-AGAIN: John 3:3

A) OTHER EXPRESSION USED FOR BORN-AGAIN PEOPLE:

B) BEGOTTEN:

C) REGENERATION & RENEWING:

D) RELATIONSHIP:

E) SAVED:

II) JOHN 3 BORN-AGAIN SCRIPTURE EXPANDED: John 3:1-8

A) BIBLE SCRIPTURES ABOUT BORN-AGAIN:

III) RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD:

IV) HOW TO BE BORN-AGAIN:

A) FAITH IS REQUIRED:

B) BORN FROM ABOVE:

V) CHARACTER OF A BORN-AGAIN PERSON:

VI) IN CONCLUSION, WHAT TO DO NEXT:

[1] UNBELIEVERS REALIZE THEY NEED TO REPENT OF THEIR SINS:

[2] TRUST JESUS AND BELIEVE HE HAS PAID THE PRICE FOR YOUR SINS:

[3] CALL UPON THE LORD AND CONFESS JESUS AS SAVIOR AND LORD:

[4] IF YOU BELIEVE, YOU SHOULD: ATTEND CHURCH, READ BIBLE & PRAY:

[5] PRAY FOR FORGIVENESS FOR ANY SIN AND TRUST JESUS HAS DONE IT:

[6] STUDY THE BIBLE TO GROW IN FAITH, GRACE & BECOME MORE GOD LIKE:

[7] TRUST IN JESUS ONLY AND WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR YOUR SALVATION. LIVE IN CHRIST JESUS UNTO LIFE ETERNAL AND YOUR CHRISTIAN LIBERTY:

I) FIRST BIBLE STATEMENTS OF BORN-AGAIN: For a person to see the kingdom of God (Jesus is king and people are citizens) he must be born again. I discuss the entire born-again John scriptures below.

See my paper: "True Gospel for salvation by the Imputed Righteousness of Jesus" for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Imputed/Reckoned/Counted Righteousness of Jesus" for more information on this subject.

A) OTHER EXPRESSION USED FOR BORN-AGAIN PEOPLE: They are as follows:

B) BEGOTTEN: Born into a new family, a son of God, by God's adoption.

James 1:18 "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures."

1 Peter 1:3 "Blessed <be> the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,"God gives us Re-birth through Jesus death & resurrection.

C) REGENERATION & RENEWING:Born from above. Re-make us to pure person.

Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;" Adam was perfect until he sinned.

D) RELATIONSHIP: More discussion found below. The reason for re-birth.

John 17:3 "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." Know.

John 1:12-13 "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, <even> to them that believe on his name: {13} Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." Sons of God. Re-birth by God, not the persons own will or flesh for Father-child relations.

E) SAVED: Changed from normal humanity to spiritual child of God.

See my paper: "Salvation Biblical Word Glossary" for more information on this subject.

Luke 2:11 "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." We are born lost & need saving.

II) JOHN 3 BORN-AGAIN SCRIPTURE EXPANDED: (MY STATEMENTS ARE INCLUDED.)

A) BIBLE SCRIPTURES ABOUT BORN-AGAIN:

See my paper: "God's Word/Bible/Scriptures" for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Bible Study & Interpretation Guideline" for more information on this subject.

1 Peter 1:23 "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." God does the adoption into his family through the word.

Ephesians 1:5 "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will"Adoption in Romans 8 & Galatians 4 for more information

1 John 2:29 "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him." Made Jesus-righteous.

1 John 4:7 "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." Others.

1 John 5:4 "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, <even> our faith." God's power to change from self-centered to God-centered.

III) RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD:

The purpose for man to become born-again is a child and his Father God having fellowship. God created man for that reason. Man can only have an abundant life when he worships God in spirit & truth. Man can then enjoy God's love, mercy, and grace in an everlasting relationship with his heavenly Father. God has made man as the only creature to be given a spiritual & moral nature made in God's own image. Man can think and reason. He has self awareness to fellowship with God in a spiritual life given him from above.

See my paper: "Man's Greatest Need - Relationship with God" for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Love" for more information on this subject.

IV) HOW TO BE BORN-AGAIN:

A) FAITH IS REQUIRED:

See my paper: "Faith" for more information on this subject.

B) BORN FROM ABOVE:

Matthew 18:3 "And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Child like belief and trust equals faith.

John 1:12 "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, <even> to them that believe on his name:"

Receive, not accept. God is offering a gift, we do the receiving.

Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." God can not lie. He said it and He will do it.

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: <it is> the gift of God: {9} Not of works, lest any man should boast." We believe & God gives grace (flavor).

V) CHARACTER OF A BORN-AGAIN PERSON:

See my paper: "What Does God Really Want?" for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Questions & Answers on Law, Faith, & Liberty" for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Israel & Jewish People in God's Plan" for more information on this subject.

Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what <is> that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Change

Colossians 2:6 "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, <so> walk ye in him:" Our new emphasis on God's relationship.

Colossians 3:10 "And have put on the new <man>, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:" Our change.

VI) IN CONCLUSION, WHAT TO DO NEXT:

[1] UNBELIEVERS REALIZE THEY NEED TO REPENT OF THEIR SINS:

Romans 3:10-11 "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God." All people seek their own (gods of their life).

Romans 3:20 "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Any rules set up by us or our religion of do's and do not's. Whatever rules we have, we will fail them some time in: word, though, or deed.

[2] TRUST JESUS AND BELIEVE HE HAS PAID THE PRICE FOR YOUR SINS:

Romans 3:23-25 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;"

[3] CALL UPON THE LORD AND CONFESS JESUS AS SAVIOR AND LORD:

See my paper: "Prayer" for more information on this subject.

Romans 10:9-10 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

[4] IF YOU BELIEVE, YOU SHOULD: ATTEND CHURCH, READ BIBLE & PRAY:

See my paper: "Justifcation" for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Christian Growth" for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Walk as Jesus Walked" for more information on this subject.

Galatians 5:3-4 "For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law." Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." Fellowship with God, not laws.

[5] PRAY FOR FORGIVENESS FOR ANY SIN AND TRUST JESUS HAS DONE IT:

See my paper: "Fogiveness of Sins" for more information on this subject.

1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

[6] STUDY THE BIBLE TO GROW IN FAITH, GRACE & BECOME MORE GOD LIKE:

Psalms 119:11 "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Read and Memorize the scriptures to mature.

2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth"

2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture <is> given by inspiration of God, and <is> profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

[7] TRUST IN JESUS ONLY AND WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR YOUR SALVATION. LIVE IN CHRIST JESUS UNTO LIFE ETERNAL AND YOUR CHRISTIAN LIBERTY:

Galatians 5:1 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

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This page is maintained by Dennis Schmidt. Please send your questions or comments to (dennisschmidt@att.net)