It is not uncommon to hear the term "born again Christian" among religionists today. Such language reflects a misunderstanding of the Scriptures and what it means to be "born again." It implies that there are varying types of Christians, those who have been born again and those who have not. In truth, when one is born again, he is a Christian. If one is a Christian, he has become one by being born again. Conversely, one cannot be a Christian without being born again, and one cannot be born again without becoming a Christian. Thus, the term "born again Christian" is a redundancy, that is, it is unnecessarily saying the same thing twice.

In like fashion, one does not read anywhere in the New Testament of an unbaptized Christian. Obedience to the gospel message requires baptism (immersion in water) in order to receive the remission of sins (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 22:16). Baptism is the means by which disciples are made (Matt 28:19-20). Acts 11:26 says "the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch." So, when one finds disciples, he finds Christians, and when he finds Christians, he finds those who have been baptized to receive the forgiveness of sins.

A simple principle of Bible interpretation is as follows: when one finds different terms or means used to describe a similar result, it should be understood that the terms are synonymous. The following examples are noteworthy in our present discussion.

In John 3:3, Jesus said, "Except a man be born again, (lit. "born from above" - JTC) he cannot see the kingdom of God." Following Nicodemus' inquiry as to what Jesus meant, Jesus provided an explanation with His statement in verse 5, "Except a man be born of water and Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." Since Jesus was explaining verse 3, two things need to be assumed: (1) being "born again" is the same thing as being "born of water and Spirit, and (2) to "see the kingdom of God" is the same as to "enter the kingdom of God." However, even understanding this does not fully answer what is meant by being born again / born of water and Spirit. We must further search the Scriptures in order to fully define the terms.

In Titus 3:5, Paul declared our salvation is according to God's mercy "by the washing of regeneration (lit. the washing of new birth) and the renewing of the Holy Spirit." Again we see similar terms used in the two passages: water (John 3:5) and washing (Titus 3:5); we see born again (John 3:3) and new birth (Titus 3:5). Noting these striking similarities should cause us to understand the relationship between entering the kingdom of God (John 3:5) and being saved by God's mercy (Titus 3:5) -- they are synonymous.

In 1 Peter 1:22, the Scriptures teach our souls are purified by obedience to the truth through the Spirit. In verse 23, that process is defined as being "born again" by the incorruptible seed which is the word of God (cf Luke 8:11). Likewise, Ephesians 5:26 says that Jesus sanctifies and cleanses the church "with the washing of water by the word." Mark 16:16 says that one must be baptized in order to be saved. Acts 2:38-47 teaches that only those who are baptized for remission of sins are saved and added to the church by the Lord.

In understanding these texts in harmony with one another, we can know that being born again is the same thing as: (1) being born of water and Spirit; (2) the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit; (3) the washing of water by the word; (4) obeying the truth through the Spirit; and (5) baptism (immersion) in water to receive remission of sins.

We can also know that seeing the kingdom of God is equal to: (1) entering the kingdom of God; (2) being saved by God's mercy; (3) being sanctified and cleansed as members of the church; (4) having our souls purified; and (5) being added to the church by the Lord.

The Bible does not contradict itself. Everything in the Bible must be understood within the total context of Scripture. Let us be diligent to show ourselves approved unto God by handling aright the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15). TC