Bible Discussion Thread

At what exact time are we born again?

Hi Louie, being born again is a work of God from beginning to end. So, I have heard it explained like Chris did here, and I have

also heard it explained this way: One is born again when the Holy Spirit regenerates you so that you can receive the grace that

imparts faith to believe the gospel of Christ. This definition puts all of the action upon God and not on man. Once one is spiritually

regenerated, then one is now able to believe. Prior to regeneration, we are spiritually dead and unable to cause ourselves to be

made alive to God. Therefore, God chooses us first for salvation and does what we cannot do. But most people become aware of

this regeneration when they respond to the gospel as Chris stated.

Hello Louie. Your question is easy to answer, but if one should ask 'how do we know when that re-birth takes place', that would require more details. The time of re-birth, is at the very moment when God sends His Holy Spirit to indwell the repentant sinner. Some might feel sorry for their sins but have no intention to leave them. But when one is truly repentant, calling upon Jesus to save his wretched soul, a wonderful work & transaction is made. Sins are forgiven & removed & the Holy Spirit is given to seal & secure ( Ephesians 1:3-14). His entrance into our lives means that some immediate changes must take place - sometimes more noticeable changes, though most certainly that instant peace with God, joyful assurance of sins forgiven, a hunger for things of God & to start living for Him, etc. This is all the Work of His Spirit, when once that person had no such desires in his heart.

Romans 8:9,10: "ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." This is a clear simple verse saying that we don't belong to Christ if His Spirit is not indwelling us (i.e. if we are not born again by His Spirit). Our bodies might be in a state of continual deterioration, but our once dead spirits (God-wards), are now given a new life by the Life-giving Spirit. And when the Spirit is in residence, a continual Divine Work will go on with a hunger for God's Word & knowledge of Him, living to please the Lord, dealing with any sin that comes before us, & receiving Grace & strength for every situation. "if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new": 2 Corinthians 5:17. This is re-birth - only by God's Spirit.