How Can A Man Be Born Again?

My Come, Follow Me studies for this week took me to John 2-4 and a lesson titled “Ye Must Be Born Again.” The lesson was introduced with the following information. 

At a marriage feast in Cana, Christ changed water into wine—an event John called the “beginning of miracles” (John 2:11). That’s true in more than one sense. While this was the first miracle Jesus performed publicly, it can also symbolize another miraculous beginning—the process of our hearts being transformed as we become ever more like our Savior. This miracle of a lifetime begins with the decision to follow Jesus Christ, to change and live a better life through Him. This miracle can be so life-changing that being “born again” is one of the best ways to describe it (John 3:7). But rebirth is just the beginning of the path of discipleship. Christ’s words to the Samaritan woman at the well remind us that if we continue on this path, eventually the gospel will become “a well of water” inside us, “springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).

As usual, the scripture block taught numerous principles. The principle that I wish to discuss tonight is found in John 3:1-21: “I must be born again to enter the kingdom of God.” The material that I will share comes from the Come, Follow Me manuals for individuals/families and for Sunday School.

John 3 contains the story of Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus quietly at night [i.e., he did not want to be seen] and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him” (verse 2). Jesus answered him, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (verse 3).

Nicodemus wanted to know how a man could be born again. How could a grown man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again? (See verse 4.) Jesus explained, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (verses 5-6). Jesus continued His explanation about how a man could be born again and then gave the following message.

13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Birth involves water, blood, and spirit, and being born again also involves water, blood, and Spirit. The water of being born again is being emerged in water during baptism. The blood is the blood of Jesus Christ through His Atonement. The Spirit is the Holy Ghost putting his confirming stamp on the reborn person.

Latter-day prophets and apostles have taught several principles concerning what it means to be born again. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, “Being born again, comes by the Spirit of God through ordinances” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 95).

Elder David A. Bednar taught: “Conversion … is mighty, not minor – a spiritual rebirth and fundamental change of what we feel and desire, what we think and do, and what we are. Indeed, the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ entails a fundamental and permanent change in our very nature made possible through our reliance upon ‘the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah’ (2 Nephi 2:8). As we choose to follow the Master, we choose to be changed – to be spiritually reborn” (“Ye Must Be Born Again,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 20).

President Dallin H. Oaks taught: “We were born again when we entered into a covenant relationship with our Savior by being born of water and of the Spirit and by taking upon us the name of Jesus Christ. We can renew that rebirth each Sabbath when we partake of the sacrament. Latter-day Saints affirm that those who have been born again in this way are spiritually begotten sons and daughters of Jesus Christ (see Mosiah 5:7; 15:9-13; 27:25). Nevertheless, in order to realize the intended blessings of this born-again status, we must still keep our covenants and endure to the end” (“Have You Been Saved?,” Ensign, May 1998, 56).

John 7:45-52 tells us that Nicodemus later publicly defended Jesus, and Jon 19:38-40 tells us that he joined the believers at the Savior’s burial. These are sure signs that Nicodemus was in the process of being born again. 

The teachings of Jesus Christ teach us that individuals can change, and Nicodemus is an example of one person who was changed by following the gospel of Jesus Christ. The change begins when a person hears the gospel of Jesus Christ, repents of their sins, is baptized by immersion in water, and receives the gift of the Holy Ghost. It continues as the person grows in his capacity to believe in Jesus Christ and to follow Him. Part of the growth that comes from making covenants with God and receiving ordinances performed by authorized priesthood bearers.