The new birth, also called being “born again,” is a supernatural transformation brought about by the Holy Spirit. Jesus emphasized this truth in John 3:5-6, where He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” This statement reveals that natural birth is insufficient for eternal life; a spiritual rebirth is necessary. This regeneration is not a human effort but a divine work performed by the Holy Spirit, marking the beginning of a believer’s new life in Christ.
The role of the Holy Spirit in regeneration is foundational to the Christian experience. Regeneration is the process by which the Holy Spirit breathes new spiritual life into a person, making them alive to God. Paul described this in Titus 3:5: “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” Here, we see that salvation is not based on human merit but on God’s mercy and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit cleanses the sinner from sin and imparts a new nature, enabling them to walk in righteousness.
To be "born of the Spirit" means experiencing a profound inward change that only the Holy Spirit can accomplish. This transformation is described in Ezekiel 36:26-27, where God promises, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and be careful to obey My rules.” The Holy Spirit replaces the hardened heart of sin with a responsive heart, empowering believers to live in obedience to God.
One example of being born of the Spirit is found in the life of Nicodemus, the Pharisee who came to the Lord Jesus by night (John 3:1-21). Despite his religious knowledge, Nicodemus was confused by the Lord Jesus’ teaching about the new birth. Our Lord Jesus clarified that this spiritual rebirth is a work of the Spirit, likening it to the wind: “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8). This analogy highlights the mysterious yet undeniable nature of the Holy Spirit’s work in regeneration.
In practical terms, the Holy Spirit convicts individuals of sin (John 16:8), draws them to faith in Christ (John 6:44), and transforms their lives, enabling them to bear spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). Being born of the Spirit leads to a new identity in Christ, as expressed in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
This miraculous transformation marks the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith, guided and sustained by the Spirit’s presence.
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