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Being born again

Jesus taught his followers that being ‘born again’ was necessary for those who wanted to be part of God’s kingdom. When asked about how this could happen, his reply makes it clear that this new birth is a radical change brought about by the Spirit of God in the inner being.

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the

Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we

know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one

can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’

Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the

kingdom of God without being born from above.’ Nicodemus

said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old?

Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be

born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter

the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.

What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is

spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be

born from above.” The wind blows where it chooses, and you

hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from

or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’

John 3:1–8, NRSV