Being 'born again' is Jesus' phrase for spiritual rebirth — the new birth God works in those who believe in Christ. 'Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God' (John 3:3). It is a work of the Holy Spirit (John 3:5-8), making the believer 'a new creature' (2 Corinthians 5:17).
'Born again' comes from Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John 3. Nicodemus, a Pharisee and religious teacher, came to Jesus by night. Jesus' first words to him: 'Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God' (John 3:3). Nicodemus, taking it literally, asked how a man could enter his mother's womb a second time. Jesus clarified — this is not physical but spiritual birth: 'That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit' (John 3:6). Several biblical truths. (1) The new birth is necessary. Jesus says 'must' (John 3:7) — 'Ye must be born again.' Without it, no one sees or enters the kingdom of God (John 3:3, 5). (2) The new birth is the work of God, not of the person. John 1:12-13 — '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: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.' The new birth is not self-help, decisional manipulation, or human effort — it is divine work. (3) The new birth is by the Spirit. John 3:5 — 'Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit.' (The 'water' refers either to baptism, to natural birth, or to the cleansing word — Christians interpret differently.) (4) The new birth comes through the word and faith. 1 Peter 1:23 — 'Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.' James 1:18 — 'Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth.' The gospel is the seed of the new birth. (5) The evidence is a changed life. 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.' The born-again person loves God, hates sin, loves the brethren (1 John 3:14), keeps God's commandments (1 John 5:3) — imperfectly but evidently. (6) The new birth includes adoption. Galatians 4:5-6 — God 'sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.' The born-again person is not just changed but adopted as a child of God. What it means practically. The born-again life is one of: dependence on the Spirit (Galatians 5:16); ongoing repentance (Luke 9:23); growth in holiness (2 Corinthians 3:18); love for the church (1 John 3:14); witness to Christ (Acts 1:8). It is not perfection but a new direction, animated by a new life.
“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God... Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God... Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
“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.”
If you have not been born again, the call is direct: repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15). Acknowledge sin, trust Christ as savior and Lord, and ask God for the new birth. If you have been born again, walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), grow in grace (2 Peter 3:18), and tell others. The new birth is the beginning; the Christian life is its unfolding.
To be born again is to receive a new spiritual life from God — described by Jesus in John 3:3-7. It is a work of the Holy Spirit (John 3:5-8) by which a person is forgiven of sin, given a new heart, adopted as a child of God, and indwelt by the Spirit. The result: 'old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new' (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Through faith in Jesus Christ. Repent of sin (Mark 1:15), believe the gospel — that Christ died for your sins and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), receive him as Lord and Savior (John 1:12). The new birth itself is God's work; the response is repentance and faith. Many pray a simple prayer turning to Christ; the prayer doesn't save, but the trust it expresses receives Christ.
1 John gives several tests: (1) a love for God and his commandments (1 John 5:3); (2) a love for fellow believers (1 John 3:14); (3) a hatred of and turning from sin (1 John 3:9 — not absolute sinlessness but a new direction); (4) the witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16); (5) trust in Christ as Savior (1 John 5:1). Not perfection — but a new heart with new desires.
Yes — these are different aspects of the same reality. 'Born again' emphasizes the new spiritual life God gives. 'Saved' emphasizes deliverance from sin's penalty, power, and (ultimately) presence. The New Testament uses many terms for the same conversion event: born again, regenerated, justified, saved, redeemed, made alive (Ephesians 2:5), passed from death to life (John 5:24).