It is of the greatest importance to fully grasp what Jesus meant when He said to Nicodemus – “Ye must be born again.” The New Birth is Spiritual, and it is as much a birth as the actual physical birth of a human being.
the new birth is not just a figure of speech!!!!!
Our first birth is of the “seed of man,” and the second birth is of the “seed of God.”
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.
Therefore, one cannot become a child of God by joining a church, any more than a chimpanzee could become a man by joining the human race. The chimpanzee can dress in human clothing, type on a computer, eat human food, and even drive a car – in many ways living exactly like a man – but the behaviors do not qualify him for the human race. He is still a chimp. However, if by some miracle the chimp could be “born again” by the seed of a man, then – and only then – could he become a man. Acting like a Christian does not make you a Christian, anymore than acting like a human makes a chimp a human.
The only way to become a child of god is to be “born from above,” by the “incorruptible seed of god.”
The New Birth is a new creation!
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 New Birth is a spiritual resurrection!
Ephesians 2:1-9 – And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
The New Birth is regeneration!
Titus 3:5 – 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
The New Birth is partaking of the Divine Nature!
2 Peter 1:4 – Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
The New Birth is receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior by faith!
John 1:12 – 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
The New Birth is being made the righteousness of God!
2 Corinthians 5:21 – For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
The Vine Vigil 