Born Again At The Point Of Faith - John 1:12-13

John 1:12-13 from the New American Standard Version: "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in his name who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will on man, but of God."

Many believe that they are born again (become Christians) at the moment they come to believe in Jesus as the Savior. This is a common misconception. At first glance without some thought John 1:12-13 seems to support that idea. The reality is that it does not.

You can immediately see if you are a careful student that as written verse 12 is in conflict with verse 13. Verse 12 says that those who believe have the right to become God's children meaning they are not yet - not at the point of belief. Yet, verse 13 says they were born of God.

How does one deal with this apparent contradiction? If you have a New American Standard Reference Edition Bible (one of the best reference Bibles on the market) you will find in the reference notes on verse 13 that the word "born" could have been "begotten". It is a translator’s choice as to which word to use. In fact, the Analytical-Literal Translation uses the word "begotten." Use the word "begotten" and the conflict between verse 12 and 13 disappears.

How do we know the word "begotten" is the correct word to use here when either "begotten" or "born" can be used with justification as a translation of the Greek? There are three reasons. (1) The Bible cannot contradict itself and be true. Use the word "born" here and you have a contradiction between the two verses. (2) There is always a begetting before a birth. (3) By Paul's conversion experience.

Paul most certainly believed when confronted with Jesus himself on the road to Damascus (Acts 22) but when Ananias came to him 3 days later he told Paul to "'Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.'" (Acts 22:16 NAS) Do you not find it strikingly strange that a man who believes with his whole heart still has sins 3 days later? It shouldn't because Paul was begotten 3 days earlier, not born again.

Jesus says water is a part of the new birth (John 3:1-7, see verse 5). When we understand what is involved in the new birth thus understanding how one becomes a Christian we will know when to use the word "begotten" versus "born." Remember as a correct translation of the Greek either is correct but there are times when the context demands one or the other. In John 1:13 there is really no choice unless you desire a Bible contradiction in which case the Bible cannot be true. When you understand John 1:12-13 you will understand that faith alone is not enough to make you a child of God no matter what anyone tells you.