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Artwork for John Explained: A Bible Study
John Explained: A Bible Study · May 21, 2025 · 32 min

What It Means To Be Born Again

What does it mean to be "born again"? In John 3:1-17, a respected leader named Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night and hears puzzling words: "You must be born again." Dr. Toby Holt explains the new birth — and why we cannot do without it. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and ruler, yet Jesus tells even him he must be born again. We are born spiritually dead and cannot give ourselves new life — the new birth is God's own work. Out of this talk comes the most famous verse in the Bible. Questions this study answers: 1. Who was Nicodemus? A Pharisee and respected member of the ruling council, who came to Jesus by night with sincere questions. 2. What does it mean to be "born again"? It is a new spiritual birth that only God can give — a heart made alive, not a self-improvement project. 3. Why can't we save ourselves? Because we are born spiritually dead and cannot give ourselves new life. Salvation is God's gift, received by faith in Christ. "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." — John 3:16 (NKJV) Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

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What does it mean to be "born again"? In John 3:1-17, a respected leader named Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night and hears puzzling words: "You must be born again." Dr. Toby Holt explains the new birth — and why we cannot do without it.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and ruler, yet Jesus tells even him he must be born again. We are born spiritually dead and cannot give ourselves new life — the new birth is God's own work. Out of this talk comes the most famous verse in the Bible.

Questions this study answers:

1. Who was Nicodemus? A Pharisee and respected member of the ruling council, who came to Jesus by night with sincere questions.

2. What does it mean to be "born again"? It is a new spiritual birth that only God can give — a heart made alive, not a self-improvement project.

3. Why can't we save ourselves? Because we are born spiritually dead and cannot give ourselves new life. Salvation is God's gift, received by faith in Christ. "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." — John 3:16 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

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