The Bible, particularly in John 1:12-13, teaches that being born of God is necessary for salvation and involves divine regeneration, not human effort.
According to John 1:12-13, being born of God is a fundamental aspect of Christian identity, denoting those who receive Christ and believe in His name as children of God. This concept emphasizes that such a birth is not a result of human ancestry or decision-making ('not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man'), but rather a supernatural act of God. The necessity of being born of God arises from the inherent spiritual deadness of humanity, as echoed in Romans 3, where none are righteous without divine intervention. Hence, for a person to know God, they must experience this new birth, highlighting God's initiative in salvation.
Scripture References:
John 1:12-13, Romans 3:10-12, 1 John 5:1, 1 John 4:2, 1 John 4:15, 1 John 2:29, John 3:5, 1 John 3:9, John 1:13, Romans 9:16, Ephesians 1:4-5, John 3:3-6, 1 John 5:1-5, Romans 10:14-17, John 3:1-16, John 1:11-13; Philippians 2:13; Romans 9:16, Romans 10:9-10, Luke 4:41, 1 John 5:18, Colossians 3:3, John 1:11-13, Philippians 2:13
Commentary