Why is it necessary to be “born again” to be saved?

If everyone is already a child of God, is it really necessary to be born again?

The Bible says, “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12, 13). This passage says that “to become” children of God, we must believe in His name. The result of accepting Christ as your Savior is being born again.

Jesus told Nicodemus that unless he was born again, he could not see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus was initially confused by this metaphor, so Christ clarified, “Most assuredly, … unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:5, 6). The flesh refers to our natural birth, and the Spirit speaks of our spiritual rebirth. We all have been born of the flesh, but not everyone has been born of the Spirit. (See also 1 Corinthians 15:50.)

It’s a fundamental belief in Christianity that we must recognize we are sinners. Seeing that we need Jesus as our Savior, we come to Him, confess our sins, and ask Him to cleanse us and create a new heart within us. God will never force us, so unless we willingly ask Jesus into our hearts, the Lord cannot fully work within us.

In the Bible, we see John the Baptist baptizing people in the waters of the Jordan. The disciples of Christ also baptized. Baptism is a symbol of a new birth—just as when a baby emerges from its protective envelope of water and takes its first breath. This sacred ceremony is the public declaration that we’re on God’s side and have become His children. It’s important for our own spiritual growth and as a witness to others.

Key Bible Texts

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3 KJV)