Published: 30 September 2013
http://harmonypb.org/grace-plus-nothing/2013/sep/30/what-does-it-mean-be-born-again-part-2/
The Nature of the New Birth
Jesus uses a metaphor to teach this spiritual lesson of regeneration, or being made alive in Christ. Nicodemus does not understand the metaphor and argues “How can a man be born when he is old?” That is essentially the question we want to answer in this article. How do I get born again? Jesus uses the metaphor of birth to teach a few basic principles about spiritual life.
Other words the scriptures use to teach regeneration include: Creation (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15; Eph. 2:10) Call (John 5:25; 2 Tim. 1:9; Heb. 3:1; 1Pet. 5:10; Rom. 8:28-30) Circumcision (Rom 2:25-29; Col 2:11) Draw (John 6:44,45) Quicken (Eph. 2:1-10; Col 2:13) Regeneration (Titus 3:5) Resurrection (John 5:24; Col. 3:1; I John 3:14) Renew (Titus 3:5) Sanctify (Heb. 10:10, 29) Translate (Col. 1:13) Wash (1 Cor. 6:11; Titus 3:5; Rev. 1:5)
Regardless of the word picture used, the same principle of God’s sovereign will and power is shown in the process of regeneration. In each example, God is the subject, and his children are the direct objects. This means that God is acting, and we are receiving His action.