In the Bible, Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” But sometimes, you may wonder, “How can I be born again?” We’re here to clear up the confusion and help you answer questions like…
What does it look like to be born again?
How can you be born again?
What does it mean to be born again?
What are practical steps I can take to be born again?
So, join us as we help you figure out how to be born again and how you can help others be born again!
What Does the Bible Say About Being Born Again?
Thankfully, the Bible has a simple answer to the question, “How can I be born again?” The primary Bible verses on being born again come from a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus in the Gospel of John. The conversation around being born again starts in John 3:
“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked.
– John 3:4-7
“Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’
In the Gospel of John, Jesus answers Nicodemus’ spiritual questions around salvation and being born again. You may feel just like Nicodemus if you are wondering how to be born again. How can someone be born when they’re old? It’s not like you can literally be born again from your mother’s womb.
However, in this Bible verse about being born again, Jesus explains to Nicodemus that being born again isn’t a physical birth, but a spiritual birth. Later on in the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, Jesus expounds on what it means to be born again:
“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
– John 3:8-9
“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
Later in these Bible verses about being born again, Jesus says that being born again and receiving the Holy Spirit is like the wind blowing where it pleases. Often in the Bible, the Holy Spirit is referred to as the wind (Acts 2). Everyone who receives Jesus as Lord is someone who is born of the Spirit of God and is someone who is born again. As we continue reading this Bible passage about being born again, Jesus says more about how to be born again:
“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things, and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?
– John 3:10-15
No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
In this Bible passage about how to be born again, Jesus makes a reference to Numbers 21:6-9, when Moses lifted up a snake on a pole, and everyone who looked at it was healed. This is a cross-reference to Jesus being crucified, and that everyone who believes in Him will be saved. In the next verse of John 3, Jesus says one of the most famous scriptures in the whole Bible:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
– John 3:16
This Bible verse about how to be born again says it plain and simple: God so loved the world that He sent Jesus to save us. Being born again is as simple as receiving Jesus as Lord! So, now that you know how to be born again, don’t wait to receive Jesus as Lord – you can be born again today:
Be Born Again: Receive Jesus as Lord
As you can see in Jesus’s words in John 3, being born again is as simple as receiving Jesus as Lord. You can receive Jesus by praying the prayer of salvation. Simply repeat these words and believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord to be born again:
“Jesus, I confess that I need You and that I want to be born again. I know that I’ve messed up, I know that I have sinned, and I know I can’t save myself. I’m ready to trust You as my Lord and my Savior. I believe You died for me on the cross to take away my sins and that You rose from the dead to give me eternal life. Today, I turn away from my sins and ask You to be the Lord of my life. I’m ready to follow You.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Congratulations! If you prayed the prayer above, you have received Jesus as Lord, and now you are born again! Did you know that there are angels rejoicing in Heaven because of your decision to follow Him?(Luke 15:10). Did you know that you’re now a part of a global family of believers who have also been born again?
If you just received Jesus, head to our discipleship page to receive weekly emails on how to follow Jesus every day: This Is For You
Conclusion
Now that you know how to be born again, you can tell others about how they can be born again and how they can be washed clean from every sin. Jesus is the only way to be born again, and His free gift of salvation is for all: we just have to believe in Him. As you continue to trust in Jesus, you will experience Him as a shepherd, a friend, a counselor, and Lord. For testimonies on what it’s like to be born again and how to live for Jesus, head to the Everyday Faith podcast on YouTube:
