Born Again Commentary

Jesus originated the term "born again" while teaching Nicodemus, a rabbi of the Jewish sect known as the Pharisees.

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." ( John chapter 3: verse 3 King James Version of The Holy Bible the New Testament)

A common prayer to be born again is:
"Lord Jesus, I have sinned and do not deserve you. I accept that only you can save me and I believe that you rose from the dead. I am calling on you now to save me. Save me Jesus. Thank you Jesus. Thank you for bringing me into fellowship with you."

The most common view in the Christian Church is that one is born again by baptism or accepting Jesus as one's Lord and Savior and no public outward conduct is required. The change required is an inward spiritual one.

Some Clergy object to altar calls, or calls to public rebirth, believing they mislead people into confusing outward conduct with spiritual change. In doing so, they argue, altar calls may actually give people false assurance about their salvation. Also requiring a public statement is questioning one's faith thus a kind of judgment.

"Judge not, that ye be not Judged." (Matthew chapter 7: verse 1 King James Version of The Holy Bible the New Testament)

Also a call to rebirth could be seen as both arrogant and rude as though saying my way or you are not saved.

"Love is not arrogant or rude" (1st Corinthians chapter 13: verse 5, New Oxford Annotated Bible the New Testament). It is both arrogant and rude to question another believer's faith.

To Accept Jesus as One's Lord

What does it mean to accept Jesus as one's Lord and Savior and be born again? Jesus to me is the message of love, compassion and justice. Jesus is one with God thus anyone of any religion who embraces the message of love, compassion and justice and believes in God is accepting Jesus. This to me is the most loving and compassionate interpretation in tune with the teachings of Jesus and allows any truly moral person of belief a path to heaven. One God many paths is in tune with the spirit of the interfaith church.

Reverend George V. Schubel
Interfaith Minister