How is one born again? (pt. 1)

But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. Acts 19:9-10

We concluded last time with the question, “How is one born again?” We asked the question because the only hope for naturally hard hearted people (that includes ever human being ever born!) is that we must be born again (or be regenerated). So how is one born again? Here are two essential facts.

First, people are born again as they hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is the power of God to salvation (Romans 1:16). People have to hear the gospel message, whether they hear it proclaimed, or read it. Either way, people need to hear the gospel or they will not be born again. Consider Paul’s logic in Romans 10:13-14 & 17

For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? . . . So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of God.

We would be remiss if we didn’t add that people must hear the gospel—and by that we mean the true and complete gospel—rather than a false gospel that isn’t about forgiveness, or that simply promises a better life! So we must proclaim the gospel and we must proclaim it simply and accurately.

The second essential fact about how people are born again, next time…