What does the terminology of "born again" truly mean?

Question

Does it mean to be born again in the flesh as in being baptized in water as an adult or does it mean to be born again in the spirit as in spiritually?

Answer 1

We are born "dead" in sin. When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are in essence experiencing a rebirth in Christ who has already payed the price for our sins. This is being "born again". Baptizing in water is recommended, but is not a requirement for salvation. Remember the thied who died on the cross next to Jesus. He accepted Christ right there. He was born again at that moment.

Answer 2

Being born again is a process which God achieves in a person, through the work of other Christians. It is not something you do for yourself by achieving a spiritual awakening.

To bring the gift of spiritual rebirth to a person, you teach him the Gospel and baptize him. (Matthew 28:19-20) Those are very simple instructions which say nothing about the recipient accepting, and so whether the person is somehow really "sincere" is beside the point. We Lutherans believe that the recipient can still effectively resist God's grace; nevertheless, Jesus' instructions to teach and baptize remain the clearest instruction on how to convert.

Answer 3

We were born of flesh the first time. Obviously we can not re-enter our mothers womb to be born again. What Jesus means is that we must be born of the Spirit hence the term born again. But how do we do this. Jesus said we must repent and believe the good news. Repent meaning turn from our sins and turn towards God and the Good news is that the time has come and the kingdom of Heaven is near. believers baptism is a public acknowledgment of our being "born again" Another reason infant baptism make no sense because how can a baby understand this concept and make this decision.

“I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’

Answer 4

Like most Greek and Hebrew words, anothen can have multiple meanings - and we use a best fit when interpreting scripture. So either "again" or "from above" are good translations. See below To be born again refers to a spiritual rebirth in the image of Jesus Christ Anothen: Outline of Biblical Usage 1) from above, from a higher place a) of things which come from heaven or God 2) from the first, from the beginning, from the very first 3) anew, over again Authorized Version (KJV) Translation Count — Total: 13 AV — from above 5, top 3, again 2, from the first 1, from the beginning 1, not tr 1

Answer 5

In John 3:3, Jesus explains this to mean that we must be BORN of the spirit of God. This is what will happen after the return of Jesus to reign on the earth, and the saints are resurrected to eternal life. That is when the saints will BE spirit, and no longer flesh and blood.

The phrase is also used of people when they become Christian and the spirit of God begins to dwell in them after baptism. But since they do not fit Jesus' description of those who are BORN of the spirit -- that they cannot be seen -- it must mean something else.

The Greek word used (gennao) can have more than one meaning, and it depends on context. In this sense, it can either mean BORN or BEGOTTEN. The context in John 3 is clearly of the change from mortal flesh to immortal spirit, and therefore, BORN is the correct understanding. In the context of having received the holy spirit, though we are still in the flesh (such as John 1:12-13 & 1 John 2:29), it is BEGOTTEN.

So, in English, it would be incorrect for a Christian to say they ARE born again. Rather, it would be better to say, we are begotten again, begotten from above, or begotten of God, and WILL BE BORN again in the resurrection.

Answer 6

You are born again in baptism but you must also be transformed in the life of the Spirit and this is part of the process to make the transformation complete. Baptism is not just a physical cleansing but there is spiritual cleansing and thus baptism is an initiation or a born again event but you must also build upon it to complete the transformation .

Answer 7

Nothing. In Unitarianism, we cannot be 'born again'. I accept that people convert, recover their faith and return to the Church and that is fine if it is real. I think we all have moments of intense spirituality and discovery in life but it is not being 'born-again'. If one never was a Christian, one has to be baptized or go through a conversion process. I accept original sin but not the idea that one can be born again. Born again from what? We are all sinful from birth and must be saved but how one interprets that depends. Baptists do not believe in infant baptism but adult baptism. There are many good aspects to Baptism as opposed to fundamentalist Christianity and other forms of Christianity I won't mention because it would be insulting but while I don't follow it, I look highly upon their basic ideas.

Answer 8

It means to be born in the Spirit, without it you cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, the bible talks about that.Being baptized does not always bring a change, but when a person is born of the Spirit of God, you will see a change and it is ongoing.

Answer 9

When you are born (as a baby) you are innocent. New! When you are baptized (immersed underwater as a symbol (,used and authorized as our example by Christ,) of our spiritual rebirth.You are New again. Your sins have been forgiven and you have been washed of all unrighteousness, ready to "grow up" in Christ. And walk as a new person in Him. Not the same old person with the same old problems but as a Christian in Christ likeness. Read 2 Cor 5:17.
And as far as DALE M's answer the 144,000 in Revelation is talking about those that will stand Rightous without a Mediator (Christ) in heaven, in the last days before Christ return. That is the 144,000 not what he said. The Bible dosen't back up what he said at all.

Answer 10

As in repenting your sins and yes being baptized is a part of that. And "being saved" is also to say that you are born again and free of your sins to live a life only for God and God alone.