Many Christians sincerely believe they have been "born again" - but do not understand what Jesus meant by those words.
Knowledge of this subject is dependent on understanding the basic Greek word "gennao" from which born is translated. It has often been said that the Greeks had a word for everything. The saying does not hold true in this case. The Greeks had only one word for �born� and �begotten,� whereas in English (and other languages) we have two distinct, but related, words. Gennao can be translated as either born or begotten. Throughout all of the New Testament, this Greek word gennao is found translated both ways�born and begotten. How do we know which is correct? We are clearly dependent upon the context for guidance. There is an example which illustrates the inconsistency that can occur because of the failure to properly analyze the context. This example is in {I John 5:18:} �We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.� In this text, the word gennao occurs twice, and even though applying to our Heavenly Father on both occasions, it is translated �born� in one case and �begotten� in the other.
WHY did not the Pharisee, Nicodemus, understand when Jesus said to him: "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God"(John 3:3-8).Nicodemus did understand clearly what is meant by being born. He knew it meant being delivered from his mother's womb. It meant being delivered into the WORLD! What Nicodemus could not understand was how - in what manner - anyone could be born AGAIN! And of course, being carnal-minded, he could only conceive of a second physical birth.
Puzzled, he asked, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" He was not confused about what is meant by being BORN. What Nicodemus could not understand was a second birth. He thought that Jesus was talking about a second human birth.
He was unable to conceive of any but a second physical birth his mind could not grasp spiritual things.
Now Jesus had made clear that the Kingdom of God is something that can be seen - but not until or UNLESS one is "born again." Not during this physical lifetime! Also, verse 5, the Kingdom of God is something a man may enter into - but not until after he is born AGAIN - another and entirely different birth. Then Jesus came quickly to the point - that the Kingdom of God is not of this present human LIFE in this present WORLD it is not of this TIME - this present life-TIME - or Age - it is the succeeding Age - and the Life to come.
Here is the crux point that explains it all: Jesus said: "That
which is born of the flesh IS flesh: and that which is born of the Spirit IS spirit."The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sounds thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is everyone that is born of the Spirit" (John 3:8).
You cannot see wind. Wind is compared to spirit. It is INVISIBLE. That's why mortal FLESH, as we now are, cannot SEE the Kingdom of God. Those who inherit it by the resurrection from the dead or instantly changed at the return of Jesus Christ will be Spirit -Born as a Spirit Being,Children Of God to live forever!
God has drawn us unto Jesus, His Son, to be in His Family, and in turn Jesus has chosen and forgiven us and appointed us to go and bear much fruit, { John 15:16). Consequently, God has begotten us by giving His Holy Spirit. This begettal is to a new nature and a heavenly hope, {A down payment or earnest of the Spirit} These have not become spirit beings in this present age, but, instead, have entered a state of Christian growth and development. {2 Peter 3:18,} But grow in grace and knowledge of Our Lord And Saviour Jesus Christ, So also in the earthly illustration of procreation: The Father, {God} gives life by starting the new life in embryo form; The Mother {Church} nurtures and develops the embryo until finally it is born of her.{At the return of Christ.} The Christian, with The Spirit Of God,as a New Creature, begins to understand spiritual things which the natural man cannot understand. (I Cor. 2:14) But he cannot be born on the spirit plane until he completes the trial period of development (corresponding to the development of the embryo in it's Mothers womb). The resurrection of the New Creature as a Powerful Spirit Being corresponds to the physical birth but rather on a much higher spiritual plane.
man has a spirit, that is the part that is born-again. He then is able to experience God and his kingdom in this present time. His body dies-- he will be given a body that is eternal when time ends.
