Study ~ John 1:13

John 1:13 “Which were born [through spiritual regeneration, those who were literally begotten of God], not of blood [not of human generation, descent, or in any manner of way of man], nor of the will of the flesh [not by natural regeneration], nor of the will of man [man’s desire in adopting a child], but of God [of God the Father of Christ, and of the Spirit’s grace].”

John 1:12 told us that people had “received” Jesus Christ as their Savior. They had experienced the “new birth,” a spiritual birth (begotten of God), not a physical birth. The words, “were born,” describe the precise beginning of a believer’s new spiritual life, being born of the Spirit (John 3:6). Until one is “born of the Spirit” he is “dead” in sin (Ephesians 2:1). A person truly begins to live after experiencing the new birth (regeneration).

A spiritual birth has absolutely nothing to do with influences from man albeit physically, genetically, emotionally, or through his own power. The Jewish nation was proud of being Abraham’s descendants (Matthew 3:9); however, the “law of Christ’s Kingdom” is very different from that supposition (1 Peter 1:23). Ancestry and bloodlines have no influence nor do they draw any entitlement to God’s favor. It is necessary to be “born of God” by regeneration (rebirth). The praise of God draws favor from Him, not praise of men.

Regeneration does not occur by man’s free will but is attributed to the power and will of God. Free will is enmity (hatred/hostility) to God, is carnal, corrupt, and powerless to all that is spiritually good. People cannot become God’s child through their own power (Romans 10:1-3; James 1:18), nor can they “will” that others become “regenerated” (spiritually born again). Grace is God’s to extend to man individually. A person’s heart can only be changed by the power of God, the Absolutely Divine One, by His Spirit. He makes the spiritual change and awards the privilege of being adopted by Him (John 3:6-8).

Man must desire to use his free will to become a “believer” and to accept the grace of God and gift of His salvation. One must strive to enter in at the strait gate.

Passages:

John 3:6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

Ephesians 2:1 “And you hath he quickened [gave life], who were dead in trespasses and sins;”

Matthew 3:9 “And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.”

1 Peter 1:23 “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”

Romans 10:1-3 “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”

James 1:18 “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”

John 3:6-8 (6) “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7) Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (8) The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”

(List Author Unknown):

1) To be saved, we must be born again

2) Salvation is not the result of physical birth, ancestry, nationality, status, or religion

3) To be saved, one must be born of God

4) One cannot go to heaven simply because their ‘parent(s)’ are Christians

5) No one can acquire salvation for another person; it is the work of God

6) All human dependence and confidence in the flesh should be forsaken. If one desires of their own free will to be saved, they should go immediately to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) and implore God to adopt them into his family and save their soul from eternal death.  The Father of Christ, God, “begets to a lively hope (1 Peter 1:3); and of the Son, quickens whom He will (Ephesians 2:1; Ephesians 2:5); and of the grace of the Spirit, generally is credited with the regeneration (Titus 3:5). Through God confidence is man’s to have to not be ashamed in His presence when He returns (I John 2:28-29).

Passages for above:

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

I Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”

Ephesians 2:1 “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”

Ephesians 2:5 “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”

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;”

1John 2:28-29 (28) “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. (29) If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.”