Overview
The Bible addresses new birth, the across 49 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Romans, 1 John and John. Closely related themes include Regeneration, Righteousness, Holiness and Adoption. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus and Nicodemus.
Key Bible verses about new birth, the
Old Testament
Isaiah
Ezekiel
And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
New Testament
John
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: power: or, the right, or, privilege
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
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. again: or, from above
Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
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.
Romans
But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. that being: or, being dead to that
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. the carnal: Gr. the minding of the flesh
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
2 Corinthians
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. by the: or, of the Lord the Spirit
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. he is: or, let him be
Ephesians
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) by: or, by whose grace
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. ordained: or, prepared
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. true: or, holiness of truth
Colossians
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
1 Peter
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, abundant: Gr. much
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
1 John
If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. ye know that every: or, know ye
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
People in the Bible and new birth, the
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying new birth, the for yourself
- Begin with Deuteronomy 30:6, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Romans, 1 John and John each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Jesus and Nicodemus and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Regeneration, Righteousness, Holiness and Adoption.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about new birth, the?
The Bible addresses new birth, the across 49 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Romans, 1 John and John. Closely related themes include Regeneration, Righteousness, Holiness and Adoption. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus and Nicodemus.
How many Bible verses are about new birth, the?
The Bible references new birth, the in 49 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention new birth, the?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Deuteronomy 30:6: “And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.”
Which people in the Bible are associated with new birth, the?
Jesus and Nicodemus.
Preach & teach
Outline a sermon or build a study series on new birth, the.
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