Where do we get the term "born-again"?
ANSWER: It is ironic that many attribute the term “born again” to the modern evangelical movent when in fact the verbiage was first used by Jesus Himself in the Gospel of John.
“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.” (John 3:3).
He also uses the same phrase a few verses later in the seventh verse and Peter uses the term “born again” in the epistle that bears his name as well (1 Peter 1:23).
Man was created to have perfect fellowship with God. God told Adam that if he sinned he would die. When mankind fell in the Garden of Eden he didn’t die physically – he died spiritually. The spirit of man, the core of his soul, became dormant and darkened.
God who is Spirit, communicates to mankind through the spirit of man.“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit” (Romans 8:16). In his sinful state, with his spirit deadened, man lost his fellowship with God. In order to have his fellowship restored he needs to have his spirit revived – in other words – to be born again.
As an unsaved person, the only thing standing between God and the doorway to our spirit is our will. When we make the choice to receive Jesus into our hearts (really our spirit), our spirit is revived – born again; and fellowship is restored. I believe it is at that very moment that we are saved.
Being born again is an opportunity for new life. It will open up a new dimension of existence and you will become alive to God and dead to sin. Spiritual things like prayer, worship, reverence and the Bible will have new meaning and begin to take shape in your renewed mind. And at the very moment you entrust your life to Him and make the decision to let Jesus in – the angels rejoice in heaven where you will spend all of eternity.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12).