Defining the “New Birth”

Can you understand how making followers of Christ (Christians) is like planting seed in
the ground; and the seed which reach “good ground” (“in honest and good heart”)
produce fruit unto God? (LUK.8:4-15). If so, you can understand those processes of the
New Birth (being “born again”) which pertain to your duties and privileges.

Both the production of the grain crop and genuine children of God are figurative ways
of describing the making of Christians. One likens the process to agriculture, and the
other to animal or human reproduction; and neither involve (in so far as our
responsibilities are concerned) any mysterious visions or “still small voices”.

First, there must be a planter, or a father — one who begets. God is the originator of the
“seed” which produces Christians. “Of His own will begat he us — ” (JAM.1:18). And the
“seed” is “the word of truth” “the word of God” (LUK.8:11). In a secondary sense the one
who teaches truth is called the “planter” or “father”. Paul reminded the Corinthians, “I
planted” and “yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you
through the gospel” (1CO.4:14-15).

Second, the “seed” is, as we have seen, the “word of God”. Peter says we are “born
again — -by the word of God, — (1PE.1:23). The popular conception of the new birth
would have people “born again” who have little or no knowledge of God’s word. This is
like expecting a crop, or a child, without a seed. Quibbles on “born of the Spirit” do not
alter this basic truth. God’s truth has been revealed by the Holy Spirit (2PE.1:21;
EPH.3:2-5) and to reject God’s truth is to “resist the Holy Spirit” (ACT.7:51). God’s word
is the instrument of the Spirit, its modus operandi (EPH.6:17). Third, there must be the
reception of the seed into a clime or condition suitable for reproduction. There must be
“good soil” or “an honest and good heart” (LUK.8:15). James says, “Lay apart all
filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word,
which is able to save your souls” (JAM.1:21). The seed cannot grow in rocks and thorns,
nor in an impenitent heart.

And, fourth, grow it must if it is to produce fruit. James says, “But be ye doers of the
word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” Jesus said, “having heard the
word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience” (LUK.8:15). Since the Lord commands
baptism, as well as faith and repentance, (MAR.16:16; ACT.2:38) these become a part
of the fruiting process, with baptism bringing us into Christ (GAL.3:26-27). Baptism is
not the whole of the process, but it certainly cannot be left out of the “new birth” defined
in scriptures.

Finally, the “heart” receives the seed, and character proceeds from the heart
(PRO.4:23). The “new creature” is not changed physically. Even his weaknesses remain
— but a change of motive and desire controls them. The fruits of God’s word are good,
and to the extent we allow His truth to move us “old things are passed away; behold, all
things are become new”. The “new birth” produces a child of God.
– Robert F Turner