I thought I was Born Again?
Many churches and individuals today misunderstand what it truly means to be born again.
Common teachings claim that simply believing in Yeshua (Jesus), making a choice, or reciting a sinner's prayer equates to being born again. Is this accurate according to the Bible?
In this age of mis and disinformation, I often hear myself saying, “I don’t know if this is true, but I read…” This uncertainty applies to everything from diets to investments to political issues. Yet, even amid confusion, there are some things I know to be true that provide clarity and direction. The words of Yeshua offer one such certainty. It is not too late to adhere to his teaching, for he is the author and finisher of our faith.
The Narrow and Wide Gates (Matthew 7)
"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
"For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves."
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
"And then I will declare to them, 'I NEVER KNEW YOU; "depart from me, you who practice lawlessness."
As a result, these churches and individuals will mislead many people. Yeshua will say to them, and all those who listened to them, 'I never knew you.'
Many remain misled and never become truly born again. A true relationship—like that of a child and father—is missing if sins remain. Therefore, hearing and acting on Jesus's words is essential.
The Two Foundations
"Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock."
A Bible answer
The term “born again” refers to a new beginning in the relationship between the Father YHVH (God) and the person who is born again. (John 3:3, 7) YHVH adopts those who are born again as His children. (Romans 8:15, 16; Galatians 4:5; 1 John 3:1) Similar to those who are legally adopted, they experience a change of status, becoming part of Yehovah God’s family.(2 Corinthians 6:18).
Yeshua answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of Yehovah.
"That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
"Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
Next, let us consider why a person needs to be born again.
There is a necessity to be rebirthed of those who are the called of YHVH (God). By regeneration only, can the truth be understood; as for others that don't act on the word of the Lord, they neither can, nor will be born again. It is the will and purpose of Yehovah that those he has chosen be regenerated through sanctification of the Spirit unto salvation by Messiah (Romans 8:30).
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. (John 15:16)
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. (Ephesians 1:4)
Salvation is by grace and mercy, not works. Being born again involves repentance, baptism in Yehoshua's name, regeneration, and receiving the Holy Spirit, verified by speaking in tongues. Partly because of the case and condition of men, which requires it; for whereas those chosen are predestinated to the adoption of children, are taken into the family of Yehovah, and are heirs to the inheritance.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 1 Peter 2:9
It is necessary that they should have a nature, temper, and disposition of mind, suitable to the inheritance they are to enjoy, which they have not in their natural estate, and which is conveyed to them in regeneration and after they have grown in Messiah (Christ).
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, Yehovah sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against Elohim: for it is not subject to the law of Elohim, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please Elohim. (Romans 8:3-8)
Carnal minds resist Yehovah and His Torah, creating enmity and blindness to the truth. Being born again means receiving the Messiah's mindset, becoming spiritually minded, and thus eligible to enter YHVH's kingdom.
So the question is, how were they born again in the bible?
When Yeshua discussed the subject, he said that those born again would be “born of the water and spirit.” (John 3:5) This expression refers to baptism in water followed by baptism with the Holy Ghost.—Acts 1:5; Acts 2:1-4. Yeshua gave us the example. He was baptized in the Jordan River, after which God anointed (or baptized) him with the holy spirit. Three thousand were added to the body of believers (or born again) on the Day of Shavuot/Pentecost.
Others who are born again are also baptized in water before they receive the holy spirit. (Acts 2:38, 41) They then have the sure hope of life in heaven, which Elohim will fulfill in the resurrection.—1 Corinthians 15:50-58.
The Gentiles were born again. Acts 10:44-48
Water baptism in the river Jordan, Israel
Misconceptions about being born again
Misconception: A person can choose Yeshua and be born again.Fact: Salvation is available to all, but Yehovah chooses who will be anointed and born again. This choice is 'from above,' not by human will, as the Bible states.
Steps to being born again
1. Believe in Yehoshua/Yeshua (Acts 10:43; 13:38).
There can be no true forgiveness without this because he has paid the price for our sins to be forgiven (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 3:5), and he is the one who delivers us from sin (Matthew 1:21; Acts 3:26; 1 Peter 2:24).2. Teshuvah/Repent - We ask Yehovah God to forgive us of our sins past and present. When we repent, we die to our old selves.
A. Pray to Yehovah for forgiveness (2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalms 32:5-6; Acts 8:22).
B. Confess each sin to Yehovah (Psalms 32:5; 51:2-3; Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9).
C. Be sorry for your sin (Psalms 38:18; Ecclesiastes 7:3; 2 Corinthians 7:8-11).
D. Forsake the sin (Isaiah 1:16-18; Jeremiah 36:3; Ezekiel 18:21-22; 2 Timothy 2:19).
E. Destroy all association with past sin (Joshua 7:11-12; Isaiah 27:9; Acts 19:18-19).
F. Make restitution where possible (Exodus 22:1-7; Ezekiel 33:14-16; Luke 19:8).
- Baptism in water.
This was always done as soon as possible in the New Covenant (Acts 8:36-38; 10:47; 19:1-5). The correct method is by immersion, typifying us following Yehoshua the Messiah into:(1) His death (going down into the water) (Romans 6:3; 6:4),
(2) His burial (going under the water) (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12), and
(3) His resurrection (rising from the water) (Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21). The correct name (meaning authority) to be baptized in is Yehoshua Hamashiach, His true Hebrew name.
Mat 1:21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Yehoshua, [which means 'Yehovah saves,'] because he will save his people from their sins."
Using His Hebrew name is the way the apostles always baptized in the 1st century. (Acts 2:38; 10:48).
Using the name "Jesus Christ" reflects a Greco-Roman-English adaptation not utilized by first-century believers.
Act 4:11 "This Yehoshua is the stone rejected by you builders which has become the cornerstone.
Act 4:12 There is salvation in no one else! For there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by whom we must be saved!"
- Receiving God's Spirit
This can sometimes be an experience that people get when they first believe - Cornelius and his household, for example (Acts 10:44-46) - but in the vast majority of cases, this is an experience which follows some time after being born again (Acts 8:5-17; 19:1-6). It is an experience which all True Believers need in order to be successful in their walk with Messiah, because it provides the supernatural power that we need to live spiritual lives, and be witnesses for Messiah (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). The evidence that shows whether a person is baptized in the Ruach HaKodesh or not is (almost invariably) whether they speak in tongues or not (Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:6).
John_3:8, The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but you don't know where it comes from or where it's going. That's how it is with everyone who has been born from the Spirit."
By Rabbi HaTzair M. Francisco Arbas
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