[Biblemat] New birth (question/answer)

[Don Martin]

Don Martin sharing with you question and answer number 3, 900 since July 12 
of last year:


Hello William (names are changed to protect privacy),

Thank you so much for your question and for making use of Bible Questions.
Please do so again. http://www.biblequestions.org  Please check out Bible
Truths http://www.bibletruths.net  Go to the archives section of these sites
for material and also go to the archives search page and type in any subject
or word you wish to explore. New material is constantly being added to both
sites. Any help you can give us in telling others of these sites will be
greatly appreciated.

If you are interested in really learning more about the Bible, there is an
online Bible study course located in Bible Truths. While on the home page,
scroll down and enter.  While on the Map Site Page, click on "Online Bible
Study Course" in the table.  Click on http://www.bibletruths.net to go
there.

You asked:

What does it mean to be born again?

Reply:

Jesus' teaching in John 3: 1-12 is both vital and intriguing.  Man must be
born again, this is the key statement (vs. 7).  Furthermore, man must be,
"...born of water and Spirit" (vs. 5).  To be born of water is clearly and
obviously an allusion to water baptism (Tit. 3: 5, Rom. 6).  Baptism is
observed in scripture as necessary to man's salvation, being for the
"remission of sins" and to place one into Christ, where salvation is located
(Acts 2: 38, 22: 16, Gal. 3: 26, 27).  Regarding, "...of the Spirit," I
shall insert below an excerpt from a debate on John 3 that I had.  First, I
shall insert below a previously provided answer to the same question asked
by another.  I trust all of this will serve to completely answer your good
question.


Jesus' teaching presented to Nicodemus is well know, but, alas, not often
accepted.  I shall insert the passage below and then offer some comments:

"1: There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that
thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou
doest, except God be with him. 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. 4: 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? 5:
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. 6: That
which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is
spirit. 7: Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8: 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. 9: Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these
things be?" (John 3.)

Jesus presents the new birth as absolutely necessary (vs. 7).  Jesus
attempted to explain to Nicodemus that the essential birth about which he
spoke was spiritual as opposed to physical (vs. 6-9).  This birth is of
"water and the Spirit" (vs. 5).  The Holy Spirit is instrumental and active
in the spiritual birth by providing the means (the word) and motivation for
the experience (cp. Rom. 6: 2ff.).  The reference to "water" is obviously
the water in water baptism.  I say this because of the teaching resident in
the New Testament pertaining to water and the new birth (cp. Acts 2: 38, 22:
16, I Pet. 3: 21).  Paul explained that it is in water baptism that the old
man is crucified and one is raised to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:
3ff.).  Most scholars and commentators, regardless of denominational
affiliation, agree that the "water" is baptism.  Albert Barnes,
Presbyterian, wrote:

"Verse 5. Be born of water. By water, here, is evidently signified baptism.
Thus the word is used in Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5...."

I suggest you read, "Baptism, How, Who, Why, and When" found in
www.bibletruths.net   When on the home page, enter through the door and
click on "Archives and Index" in the directory on the Site Map page.  When
on the Archives page, click on the letter "B."  Here is an excerpt from the
article:

     "...Why should one be baptized? Water baptism has multiple
accomplishments. One should be baptized in order to obtain the remission of
sin (Acts 2: 38, 22: 16). All spiritual blessings and redemption are in
Christ (Eph. 1: 3, 7). However, baptism is the act that gains entrance into
Christ or places one in Jesus (Gal. 3: 26, 27, I Cor. 12: 13). One should be
baptized to be saved (Mk. 16: 16, I Pet. 3: 21), to put on Christ (Gal. 3:
26, 27), and to be born again (Jn. 3: 5). Baptism is a command of God and is
essential to obedience (Acts 10: 47, 48, obedience is necessary to being
saved, Heb. 5: 8, 9).

     Concerned reader, water baptism stands between the lost and a spiritual
washing in the blood of Jesus (Acts 22: 16, Matt. 26: 28, I Pet. 3: 21).
Furthermore, baptism stands between the sinner and being a new creature (2
Cor. 5: 17, Gal. 3: 27, Rom. 6: 5, 6), the promise of the Spirit (Acts 2:
38, cf. 3: 19), and the death of Jesus (Rom. 6: 3-5). Moreover, one cannot
partake of the blessings of the Kingdom of God and exercise a good
conscience without water baptism (Jn. 3: 3-5, I Pet. 3: 21)....."

Debate excerpt:

Regarding your good question, we are agreed that the "water" in John 3:
5 is baptism.  Some hold that "spirit" is simply referring to the animated
part of man, the part that responds to the new birth.  However, I think
there is more involved.  They contend that the absence of the definite
article in verse five (kai pneumatos, "and spirit") supports their claim
(the definite article connected to spirit, then, would not support their
claim, using their own logic and rationale).

It is interesting that in verses six and eight, the definite article is
present, tou pneumatos ("the spirit").

Jesus speaks of two births, each vastly different, the one physical,
the other not physical.  One is tangible and the other is
comparatively intangible (vs. 6, 8).  The physical birth is said to be
"earthly things" and the new birth, "heavenly things" (v. 13).

Some postulate that to be born of the water and "spirit" simply means
emergence into a spiritual atmosphere as opposed to a physical
climate. However, again, I believe there is more to it than just this.
Consider Jesus' statement in verse six:

"6: That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of
the Spirit is spirit."

Hence, by "spirit is," Jesus is connoting belonging to spirit, nature,
and climate (pneuma estin), but by "born of" or "out of the spirit"
(gegennemenon ek tou pneumatos), Jesus is meaning to say more.
If man's animation and spiritual climate are not simply meant, what
remains?  The remaining is the natural conclusion (inference) and
that is, the Holy Spirit is the "spirit" in the, "...born of water and of
spirit."

The totality of the teaching of the scriptures shows that the Holy
Spirit is responsible for man being born again.  Notice Jesus'
statement in John 6: 63:

"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."

What "spirit" possesses making alive efficacy?  Man's animated
aspect and simply a spiritual as opposed to physical climate certainly
cannot make man alive.  However, the Spirit, himself deity and part
of the Godhead, can and does.  Notice also in Jesus' language the
association and involvement of "the words."  The Spirit by and
through the "words" produces life (Jas. 1: 18-21).

The view that "born of the spirit" in John 3: 5 is referring to the begettle
possess performed by the Holy Spirit is though the process of elimination
thus established, first, my the milieu in which the statement occurs.
When related teaching is introduced, there is further confirmation and,
also of great importance, perfect harmony and balance in the whole of
truth on this subject is observed.

John 3: 5 would not be viewed by most as a "commandment," not in
the literal sense.  Yet, I think the average and honest reader would so
view it (something necessary).  After a similar fashion, verse three would
not be considered a "commandment," again, the honest reader certainly
sees it as setting forth a necessary matter.

Jesus' proposed example satisfies to exemplify the truth being taught (v.
6).

By using the consideration of all plausible explanations as to what is
meant by "born of the spirit" and by exercising inference, the Holy Spirit
is deduced as the spirit part of "born of the spirit" in verse 5.  By
injecting all relevant teaching elsewhere taught and by carefully
considering all contexts to make sure of their contribution and to avoid
taking something out of context, one has the circumstance of the
"necessary inference," I believe, and by necessary inference I
contend that the Holy Spirit is meant.

If the above is true and I believe it is, there can also be the presence of
the specific excludes all unlike and incongruous matters.  Born of Spirit
excludes, born of human philosophy and rationale, for instance.  Born
of Spirit eliminates born of transcendental meditation, etc.  Born of the
word (Jas. 1: 18-21) poses no contradiction, it only reveals the agency
used by the Spirit to effect the new birth. The Spirit teaches in the word
the urgency and necessity of water baptism and sets forth the idea of one
in Christ and in Christ, being a "new creature or creation" (2 Cor. 5: 17,
Gal. 3: 26, 27).  It is in the act of baptism that the "old man" is put off
and the "new man" is raised to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6: 3f.).

The expression, "born of water and spirit" makes perfect sense when the
proper interpretive method is used.  Hence, by induction/deduction,
process of elimination, a specific excluding all unlike matters, the
acknowledgement of language showing necessity ("command"),
approved example, and necessary inference, the truth is established and
error is precluded.

Thanks again for your good question and for your interest in spiritual
matters. I recommend that you print out this email for future reference (web
addresses, etc.). You may print out any material you desire in both Bible
Questions and Bible Truths (see the copyright provision at the bottom of the
home page in Bible Truths).

Cordially,
Don Martin