Christ was reborn (Born again) from the spiritual to the physical, for the benefit of mankind.
See a detailed study on this in the chapter on Debating the Pre-existence of Christ.
The exact phrase “born again” (or “born from above”) doesn’t occur often, but the concept of new birth/regeneration is woven throughout the NT in different wording. Let’s walk through it systematically.
📖 Scriptural References to Being Born Again / Born from Above
- Explicit Passages
These directly use the language of being born again or born from above.
- John 3:3, 7 — Jesus to Nicodemus:
“Unless one is born again (ἄνωθεν = from above), he cannot see the kingdom of God … You must be born again.” - 1 Peter 1:3 — “He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
- 1 Peter 1:23 — “You have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.”
- Parallel Concepts of New Birth / Regeneration
Other NT writers use different terms, but the same idea of rebirth or renewal.
- John 1:12–13 — Believers are “born … not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
- James 1:18 — “Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth.” (spiritual begetting/birth)
- Titus 3:5 — “He saved us … by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”
- 1 Corinthians 4:15 — “I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” (spiritual begetting language)
- Galatians 4:19 — “My little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.”
- Hebrews 12:9 — God is called the “Father of spirits” — contrasting natural fathers with the one who gives spiritual life.
- New Creation Language (a related way of saying “born again”)
Paul often uses “new creation” language instead of “born again,” but the concept overlaps.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 — “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
- Galatians 6:15 — “Neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.”
- Metaphorical / Apocalyptic Connections
- Romans 6:4 — “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that … we too might walk in newness of life.”
- Romans 8:15–16 — Adoption language: receiving the Spirit of sonship, crying “Abba, Father.” (a new identity as children of God)
- John 3:5 — “Born of water and the Spirit” — ties to Ezekiel 36:25–27, which speaks of cleansing water and a new Spirit.
- Revelation 21:5 — “Behold, I am making all things new.” (final cosmic renewal that mirrors personal rebirth).
✨ Summary
- Direct “born again” wording: John 3:3, 7; 1 Peter 1:3, 23.
- Spiritual birth imagery: John 1:12–13; James 1:18; Titus 3:5.
- New creation parallels: 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15.
- Connected renewal themes: Romans 6:4; Romans 8:15–16; Ezekiel 36:25–27 (OT background).
So, the NT consistently teaches: spiritual life requires a second birth — not by human descent, but by God’s Spirit, through Christ.