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Christians may disagree on many things. But there's one basic thing that is non-negotiable - the new birth.
The new birth is the central issue of what it means to be a Christian. That makes understanding this truth essential for everyone.
Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)
This means that it is not possible for a person to get to heaven without being born again.
Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." (John 5:24)
According to Paul, "The wages of sin is death". (Rom 6:23)
We begin life as sinners under the judgment of God.
Spiritually, we are dead because of our sin. (Eph 2:1 Col 2:13)
Therefore, we need to be reborn spiritually.
This takes us from death to life and gives a person a brand new start.
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, (Col 1:13)
God takes us out of Satan's kingdom, the Kingdom of Darkness, and puts us in His own Kingdom.
And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" (Gal 4:6)
Also, we now have the right to call God "Father", as we are now part of His family.
in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thess 1:8)
Those who are not born again are still under the judgment of God for their sin and because they are rebelling against God.
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him." (Acts 10:34-35)
As Abraham said, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Gen 18:25)
God will do the right thing for those who genuinely seek Him. In the case of Cornelius and his household (Acts 10), God gave them the opportunity to hear the gospel.
The conditions are that a person must fear God (because they understand their own sinfulness and God's righteousness) and that results in genuine works of righteousness.
Jesus said, "That whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:15-18)
Jesus made it clear that the key to being born again is faith in Him.
It isn't enough to go to church, read your Bible, or generally be a good person.
The new birth comes about by faith, and faith alone.
If you like these Topical Bible Studies, don't forget to check out our Expository Bible Studies too.