MODULE 1: Salvation & New Creation
Lesson Objective
By the end of this lesson, the student will:
- Clearly understand what it means to be “born again”
- Recognize the new birth as a spiritual transformation, not religious reform
- Understand how the new birth occurs
- Identify the results and evidence of being born again
- Distinguish between outward religion and inward regeneration
Introduction: Why “Born Again” Must Be Properly Understood
The phrase “born again” is widely used, often misunderstood, and sometimes mocked. Some associate it with a particular church group, personality, or emotional experience. Others assume it means trying to live a better life or adopting Christian morals.
However, Jesus Himself declared that being born again is not optional.
📖 John 3:3
“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
This lesson is critical because Christianity does not begin with behavior—it begins with birth. You cannot live the Christian life until you first receive the Christian life.
Section 1: Jesus Introduces the New Birth
The doctrine of the new birth was introduced by Jesus in a conversation with a religious leader.
📖 John 3:1–2
“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews…”
Nicodemus was:
- religious
- educated
- morally disciplined
- respected
- knowledgeable of Scripture
Yet Jesus told him plainly that none of these qualified him for the Kingdom of God.
📖 John 3:3
“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Religion without regeneration is insufficient.
Section 2: What “Born Again” Does NOT Mean
Before defining the new birth, it is important to clarify what it is not.
Being born again is not:
- turning over a new leaf
- joining a church
- being baptized in water
- becoming more moral
- trying harder to obey God
- improving self-discipline
📖 Titus 3:5
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”
The new birth is not external reform—it is internal regeneration.
Section 3: What the New Birth Actually Is
A Spiritual Birth
📖 John 3:6
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
Every human being is born physically alive but spiritually dead.
📖 Ephesians 2:1
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”
To be born again means:
- your spirit is made alive
- you receive God’s life
- you become a new creation
Section 4: The New Birth Is a Creation Event
📖 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
The phrase “new creature” means:
- something that did not exist before
- a new kind of being
- a recreated spirit
God does not repair the old nature—He replaces it.
Section 5: How the New Birth Occurs
Through the Word and Faith
📖 James 1:18
“Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth…”
📖 1 Peter 1:23
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God…”
The Gospel is the seed. Faith is the response. The Holy Spirit performs the work.
📖 John 1:12–13
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God…”
The new birth happens instantly when a person believes the Gospel and receives Christ.
Section 6: What Changes at the New Birth
1. A New Nature
📖 2 Peter 1:4
“That ye might be partakers of the divine nature…”
You receive God’s nature—not merely forgiveness.
2. A New Relationship
📖 Romans 8:15
“Ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
God becomes your Father—not your judge.
3. A New Position
📖 Colossians 1:13
“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.”
4. A New Spirit
📖 Ezekiel 36:26
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you…”
Section 7: What Does NOT Instantly Change
The new birth does not immediately:
- renew the mind
- remove all wrong habits
- mature the soul
- perfect behavior
📖 Romans 12:2
“Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
Growth follows birth. Maturity follows life.
Section 8: Evidence of the New Birth
While salvation is not based on works, the new birth produces fruit.
📖 1 John 3:9
“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin…”
This means:
- sin no longer rules
- righteousness becomes the new direction
- conviction replaces comfort with sin
📖 Galatians 5:22–23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…”
Fruit is evidence—not the cause—of new life.
Section 9: Why the New Birth Is Essential
Without the new birth:
- the Kingdom cannot be entered
- spiritual things cannot be understood
- God cannot be known relationally
📖 1 Corinthians 2:14
“The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God…”
Christianity is not learned—it is received.
Section 10: Assurance of the New Birth
📖 1 John 5:12–13
“He that hath the Son hath life… that ye may know that ye have eternal life.”
You do not hope you are born again.
You do not guess you are born again.
You know you are born again because God said so.
Summary of Lesson 2
- Being born again is a spiritual rebirth, not religious reform
- It occurs instantly through faith in Christ
- A new nature, new spirit, and new relationship with God are received
- Growth follows birth, but birth must come first
Reflection Questions
- How would you explain the new birth to someone unfamiliar with Christianity?
- Have you ever mistaken behavior change for spiritual birth?
- What assurance do you have from Scripture that you are born again?
Memory Verse
📖 John 3:3
“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”