What does it mean to be born again, by R C Sproul
Video Narrative at the Ligonier Ministries YouTube site:
Though many Christians talk about being “born again,” few actually understand what this phrase means. What is this mysterious work of the Holy Spirit that changes our hearts and causes us to place our faith in Jesus Christ for salvation? In this message, R.C. Sproul addresses the mysterious nature of regeneration and the effects that the new birth produces in our lives.
Sermon Highlights:
RC spent the initial 8 minutes talking about the conversion experiences of Billy Graham and of his own wife, Vesta. His point in doing so was to emphasize the mysteriousness of the experience of being born again.
Sermon Text: John 3: 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again2 he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.3 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You4 must be born again.’ 8 The wind5 blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
- In verses 5-8, Jesus explains HOW the new birth occurs.
- RC noted that Jesus uses a play on words regarding the Spirit and he explained the three meanings of the Hebrew word ruwach (roo’-ach) and the Greek word pneuma (pnev’-ma) — each of these is pasted in below from the Strong’s Concordance
- He discussed the Genesis account of creation of man via the above meanings
- Because the Spirit and His work of regeneration are invisible, the only way we know it has occurred is by its fruits, just like when the wind blows through trees, we see them move…
- Someone might claim to be born again, examine the fruit of that profession
- Even after being born again, we struggle with the remnants of the old life, he made distinctions about various types of Christian professions
- Attitude of heart is a significant initial change in those born again, explained by examples
- [The Bible Hub dot com is a free site that has many versions of the Bible, commentaries, Strong’s and other Bible dictionaries and more]
- [If you have iphone, the Esword app has this capability, it also has many Bible versions and commentaries and a few dictionaries, costs $2.99 at the app store; Esword is a free download for computers, but doesn’t work with windows 10]
Hebrew and Greek words for Spirit:
H7307 רוּחַ ruwach (roo’-ach) n-f.
- wind.
- (by resemblance) breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation.
- (figuratively) life, anger, unsubstantiality.
- (by extension) a region of the sky.
- (by resemblance) spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions).
[from H7306]
KJV: air, anger, blast, breath, X cool, courage, mind, X quarter, X side, spirit(-ual), tempest, X vain, (whirl-)wind(-y).
Root(s): H7306
G4151 πνεῦμα pneuma (pnev’-ma) n.
- a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze.
- (by analogy or figuratively) a spirit.
- (humanly) the rational soul, as in the “spirit of a man.”
- (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc.
- (superhumanly) an angel, demon.
- (divinely) God, Christ’s spirit, the Holy Spirit.
[from G4154]
KJV: ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind
Root(s): G4154
Compare: G5590
This message is from Dr. Sproul’s 6-part teaching series Born Again. Learn more: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/series…