Spoken of most largely in the Gospel and Epistles of John, also in 1 Cor. 4:15, Galatians, Philem. 1:10. James 1:18, and 1 Peter 1:3, 23. This birth is of God (John 1:13); it is effected by receiving Christ (John 1:12), or in other words by the water of the Word (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, 15).