WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE BORN AGAIN?

The New Testament is replete with verses that refer to a person being born again.  But if you want to understand what the Bible teaches concerning the new birth, you first need to look at what Jesus had to say about it.  In the third chapter of the Gospel of John, we read:

"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 saith unto Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  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" (Jn. 3:3-8).

Earlier in John's Gospel, he wrote:  "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.  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:  which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (Jn. 1:11-13).  Jesus came as the long-awaited Messiah of Israel, but when they rejected Him and crucified Him, the risen Christ offered salvation to "whosoever" would receive Him as his or her Lord (Jn. 1:12; 3:16; Rom. 10:9-10; etc.)!

Following the Lord's Ascension (Acts 1), His apostles finally understood salvation was for any and all who would believe in Him:  Jews (Acts 2), Samaritans (Acts 8), and Gentiles (Acts 10).  Still, it took a while for them to comprehend that Gentiles did not have to become Jews in order to be saved (Acts 15).  The new birth was for any and all who trusted in Jesus Christ.

We know from John 3 that the new birth is the work of the Holy Spirit.  We also know that both Jesus and the Holy Spirit are always in harmony with the Father.  Their work on our behalf, is in accordance to His will.  We read that in John 1:13).  In fact, the new birth produces children of God (Jn. 1:12; 1 Jn. 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 18; etc.)! 

Have you believed that Jesus died for your sins?  That He was buried and rose the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:1-4)?  Have you called upon the risen Lord to save you from your sins (Rom. 10:9-10)?  If so, then you are a child of almighty God!

Behold, today is the day of salvation!  It may be your last chance to accept Him!