The concept of the "New Birth," also known as being "born again," is a fundamental doctrine in Christian theology, emphasizing the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. This spiritual rebirth is essential for entering the Kingdom of God and is distinct from physical birth. The New Birth is a divine act, initiated and completed by the Holy Spirit, resulting in a new creation in Christ.

Biblical Foundation

The New Birth is prominently discussed in the Gospel of John, where Jesus explains its necessity to Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council. In John 3:3-7 , Jesus declares, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." Nicodemus, confused by this statement, questions how a person can be born when they are old. Jesus clarifies, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit."

This passage underscores the necessity of spiritual rebirth, which is distinct from physical birth. The phrase "born of water and the Spirit" has been interpreted in various ways, but it consistently points to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in cleansing and renewing the believer.

Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the divine agent who effects the New Birth. In Titus 3:5 , Paul writes, "He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." This verse highlights that the New Birth is not achieved through human effort or merit but is a merciful act of God, accomplished through the Holy Spirit's regenerative power.

The Holy Spirit's role in the New Birth is further emphasized in 1 Peter 1:23 , which states, "For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God." Here, the Word of God is the instrument used by the Holy Spirit to bring about the New Birth, illustrating the Spirit's work in conjunction with the divine revelation of Scripture.

Transformation and New Life

The New Birth results in a profound transformation, marking the beginning of a new life in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 affirms, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!" This transformation involves a change in identity, desires, and purpose, as the believer is now indwelt by the Holy Spirit and empowered to live a life pleasing to God.

The New Birth also signifies a transition from spiritual death to life. Ephesians 2:4-5 explains, "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!" This passage highlights the grace of God in bringing about the New Birth, moving the believer from a state of spiritual death to one of vibrant, eternal life.

Evidence of the New Birth

The evidence of the New Birth is seen in the believer's life through the fruit of the Spirit and a growing conformity to the image of Christ. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit as "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." These qualities are the natural outgrowth of a life transformed by the Holy Spirit.

Moreover, the New Birth results in a new relationship with God, characterized by intimacy and fellowship. Romans 8:15-16 states, "For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, 'Abba, Father!' The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children." This relationship is a testament to the believer's new status as a child of God, made possible through the New Birth effected by the Holy Spirit.John 3:6
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
... In the great work of the new birth, the Holy Spirit first ... the man that he puts up
a new structure"but ... all our life, but regeneration itself is effected in an ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the outpouring of the holy.htm

The Work of Regeneration.
... ie, restoration of his nature, is possible; and this restoration is effected by
the new birth. ... In regeneration we do not receive a new being, ego, or person ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxii the work of regeneration.htm

Sunday after Easter
... in God's sight"a thing to be effected by nothing ... of a new birth"Christ came with
a new order of ... from the inward pollution of his old sinful birth and from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/sunday after easter.htm

Regeneration.
... it leaves out of view the thing effected by Divine ... brings about, is a new or spiritual
birth, a resurrection ... spiritual death, the inducing of a new and holy ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxvii regeneration.htm

Necessity of the New Birth.
... condition, and from this to what is really good and holy. ... For what we seek is only
effected when that which ... only by means of an entire change and a new birth. ...
/.../schleiermacher/selected sermons of schleiermacher/iv necessity of the new.htm

Baptism, a Divinely Appointed Means of Grace.
... on which our Church insists in the case of a child as absolutely necessary, is the
new birth. Ordinarily this is effected, by the Holy Spirit, through baptism ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter iv baptism a divinely.htm

He Further Very Appositely Expounds the Meaning of the Term "Only ...
... that new creation of men which is effected by the ... the water, by His own baptism,
the Holy Spirit; so that ... pains of death [336] , so that His new birth from the ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 8 he further very.htm

The Creaturely Man.
... Leaving this new birth out of the question, the ... to his higher destiny was effected
by a ... with Biblical teachings regarding the Holy Spirit's regenerating work ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/vii the creaturely man.htm

The Faculty of Faith.
... not to new faculties received since his birth, but to ... A new-born child of God possesses
the faculty to ... How this was effected in deceased infants we can not tell ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxviii the faculty of faith.htm

Concerning the Holy and Immaculate Mysteries of the Lord.
... We were therefore given a birth by water and Spirit ... the invocation the rain to this
new tillage [2408 ... For this union is effected voluntarily and not against our ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter xiii concerning the holy and.htm

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