Birth, The New

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Spoken of most largely in the Gospel and Epistles of John, also in 1 Cor. 4:1515For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. (1 Corinthians 4:15), Galatians, Philem. 1:1010I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: (Philemon 10). James 1:1818Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (James 1:18), and 1 Peter 1:3, 233Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1 Peter 1:3)
23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (1 Peter 1:23). This birth is of God (John 1:1313Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:13)); it is effected by receiving Christ (John 1:1212But 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)), or in other words by the water of the Word (1 Peter 1:2323Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (1 Peter 1:23), &c.) and the Spirit (who alone can apply it in power). It gives entrance to the kingdom and the position of a, child. Its fruits are love and practical righteousness (1 John). Its necessity is a proof of the utter rejection of man in the flesh, and of the foolishness (in the sight of God) of all schemes for reforming or improving him. The gospel, when received, produces this radical change, though it does not consist in the proclamation of it. Observe Jesus only spoke of it to Nicodemus to show him that he needed more than “teaching.” He then went on to the gospel (John 3:14, 1514And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:14‑15)).