Faith & Reason Nexus

The concept of the new birth is central to Christian faith and salvation. It involves a spiritual transformation that brings believers into a new relationship with God, making them part of His family, His Kingdom, and His Church. The following outlines the elements and significance of the new birth:

Elements of the New Birth

1. Spirit Moving Through the Word
   • John 6:63: “It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
   • John 14:26: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
   • Acts 2:4: “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
   • The new birth involves the Spirit working through the Word of God to bring about transformation. The Spirit brings life and understanding to the message of salvation.
2. Water Joined with the Word
   • Ephesians 5:25-27: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.”
   • Romans 6:3-4: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
   • Hebrews 10:22: “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”
   • Baptism with water, joined with the Word of God, symbolizes the believer’s death to sin and resurrection in Christ. It is a necessary element of the new birth.
3. Man Must Be Born Again
   • 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.”
   • The new birth is a spiritual transformation that is essential for entering into God’s kingdom.

The New Birth Brings a Believer into Various Spiritual Realities:

1. The Family of God
   • Ephesians 3:15: “Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.”
   • Galatians 3:26-27: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
   • 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.”
   • Through the new birth, believers are adopted into God’s family, becoming children of God.
2. The Household of Faith
   • Romans 8:16-17: “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.”
   • Galatians 4:4-6: “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
   • Ephesians 2:19: “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.”
   • The new birth places believers in the household of faith, which is part of the larger community of believers in Christ.
3. The Kingdom of God
   • Colossians 1:13: “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.”
   • Colossians 12:28: “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”
   • Colossians 4:11: “And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision: these only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.”
   • The new birth is the means by which believers are brought into the Kingdom of God, where they are heirs with Christ.
4. The Body of Christ
   • 1 Corinthians 12:13: “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”
   • 1 Corinthians 12:27: “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”
   • Ephesians 5:23: “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.”
   • Through the new birth, believers become part of the Body of Christ, a living organism that is united in faith and purpose.
5. The Church of God
   • Acts 2:38, 41, 47: “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost…Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls…And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
   • Ephesians 1:22-23: “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.”
   • Ephesians 5:23: “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.”
   • The new birth makes believers members of the Church of God, where they find fellowship, support, and growth in the faith.

The New Birth and Eternal Consequences

• Born Once, Die Twice…
  Those born only physically (once) will face both physical and spiritual death—separation from God and eternal punishment (Revelation 20:14-15).
• Born Twice, Die Once!
  Those born again—through the spiritual birth by water and the Spirit—will experience only physical death but will be eternally united with God in heaven (John 3:16, 1 Peter 1:3-5).

OkConclusion:
The new birth is essential to entering the Kingdom of God and the family of believers. It involves the work of the Spirit through the Word and is symbolized by water baptism. Through this rebirth, we become part of God’s family, His church, and His eternal kingdom. The transformation that comes with the new birth ensures that believers live with a new identity and hope, ready to inherit the promises of God.