Joshua Bennett
The term born again is used by several Christian denominations, but there are disagreements on what the term means and whether members of other denominations are justified in claiming to be born-again Christians. Catholics and Evangelicals understand the term born again to mean different things. Catholics believe that they are born again through baptism, which is supported by the Bible. However, some Evangelicals believe that being born again requires accepting Jesus Christ as a personal Lord and Savior, and that baptism merely ratifies that decision.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholics' interpretation of being "born again" | Transformation that God's grace accomplishes during baptism; becoming adopted children of God |
| Evangelical Protestants' interpretation of being "born again" | Becoming aware of and accepting Jesus Christ as a personal Lord and Savior |
| Catholics' interpretation of baptism | A sacrament that saves one from spiritual death through the blood of Christ; receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit |
| Evangelical Protestants' interpretation of baptism | A ratification of the decision to accept Jesus Christ as a personal Lord and Savior |
| Infant baptism | Catholics believe that infants can be "born again" through baptism; Evangelical Protestants believe only mature persons can be effectively "baptized" |
| Baptism of desire | The Catholic Church teaches that under special circumstances, the need for water baptism can be superseded by the Holy Spirit, such as in the case of catechumens who die or are martyred before baptism |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics are born again through infant baptism
Catholics are "born again" in water and the Holy Spirit. The term "born again" is a bit unusual in Catholic colloquialism. Nevertheless, through infant baptism, Catholics are spiritually born or "born again".
The Catholic Church teaches that under special circumstances, the need for water baptism can be superseded by the Holy Spirit in a "Baptism of desire". This is the case when catechumens die or are martyred before baptism. In the Gospel, Jesus spoke of being "born again of water and the Spirit" and said that those who are not "born again" cannot enter the "kingdom of God".
Infant baptism, where Catholics are "born again", is followed by another sacrament called Confession, when Catholics can and must speak for themselves. Confirmation, on the other hand, is when young people are asked to confirm the faith they were given at Baptism by consciously embracing it.
The term "born again" is used by several Christian denominations, but there are disagreements on what the term means. Catholics and Evangelicals, for example, understand the term "born again" to mean different things. For Catholics, the action of faith is a continuing action, and "good works" are "works of faith". Becoming "born again" is not a one-time decision but rather a commitment to a new way of life.
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The Bible supports the idea of being born again through baptism
Firstly, in the Bible, Peter wrote about Jesus preaching to the spirits in prison, drawing a parallel between the flood and baptism. He noted that just as eight people were "saved through water" during the flood, so too is "baptism now [saving] you" by the power of Christ. This is further supported by Martin Luther's recognition that the Bible teaches baptismal regeneration, preserved by Lutherans and some Protestant denominations.
Secondly, the Bible mentions the term “born again" in the Gospel of John, where Jesus tells Nicodemus that "no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." Jesus clarifies that this refers to being “born of water and the Spirit," indicating the need for spiritual cleansing and rebirth. This interpretation is supported by Augustine, who emphasizes the necessity of being "born again of water and the Spirit" to enter the kingdom of God.
Thirdly, the Bible also alludes to Jewish baptism in the New Testament. In the Old Testament, there are references to purification rites and the use of water for ceremonial baptisms, which were later adapted in the New Testament. Additionally, the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:11 refers to water baptism as "the washing."
Furthermore, the Bible presents baptism as a means of adopting and regenerating individuals, as stated in "For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ." This idea is reinforced by the prayers before baptism, acknowledging that only those "born anew of Water and of the Holy Ghost" will "be made lively members" of Christ's holy Church.
Lastly, the Catechism of the Catholic Church highlights the essential elements of Christian initiation, which include "proclamation of the Word, acceptance of the Gospel, profession of faith, Baptism itself, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit." Baptism is seen as a transformative sacrament that grants forgiveness, makes the individual a new creature, and establishes a sacramental bond with God.
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Protestants believe in being born again, but not through baptism
Catholics and Protestants understand the term "born again" differently. When a Catholic says that he has been "born again", he refers to the transformation that God's grace accomplished in him during baptism. Infant baptism, whereby Catholics are "born again", is followed by another sacrament called Confession, when Catholics can and must speak for themselves.
Evangelical Protestants, on the other hand, typically mean something quite different when they talk about being "born again". For an Evangelical, becoming "born again" often happens when a preacher delivers a sermon telling him of his need to be "born again". The preacher might say, "If you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and believe he died for your sins, you'll be born again!" The gentleman then makes "a decision for Christ" and goes forward to be led in "the sinner's prayer" by the minister. The minister then tells all who prayed the sinner's prayer that they have been saved— "born again".
Protestants struggle with the issue of whether or not they are saved, and this is a consequence of their own bad teaching. Protestants often question whether baptism is really necessary or if it is just a symbol.
Historically, Christianity has used various metaphors to describe its rite of initiation, that is, spiritual regeneration via the sacrament of baptism by the power of water and the spirit. This remains the common understanding in most of Christendom, including Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, Lutheranism, Anglicanism, and other branches of Protestantism. However, sometime after the Reformation, Evangelicalism attributed a different significance to the expression "born again" as an experience of religious conversion, only symbolized by water baptism, and rather brought about by a commitment to one's own personal faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. This belief is also an integral part of Methodist doctrine and is connected with the doctrine of Justification.
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Catholics are born again through the Holy Spirit
The term "born again" is used by several Christian denominations, but there are differing interpretations of what the term means. Catholics and Evangelicals understand the term "born again" differently. Catholics are "born again" in water and the Holy Spirit through the sacrament of Baptism. This is supported by Scripture, which states that "unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (John 3:5).
Baptism is not just a symbol but is understood as a person's spiritual birth, where they are reborn in God. Through baptism, Catholics are saved by the power of Christ and become adopted children of God, heirs to the heavenly kingdom, and members of Christ's mystical Body, the Church. This is further supported by Scripture, which states that "baptism now saves you" (1 Peter 3:20-21).
The Catholic Church teaches that under special circumstances, such as in the case of infant baptism or catechumens who die or are martyred before baptism, the need for water baptism can be superseded by the Holy Spirit in a 'Baptism of desire'. This is also referred to as "conversion" or being "born from above" (John 3:3).
The early Church Fathers and early Christians uniformly identified the verse John 3:5 with baptism, and water baptism is considered the way to be born again and receive new life. This is further evidenced by the practice of Jewish baptism in the Old Testament, which was used to purify the unclean, as well as by the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus in the Gospel of John, where Jesus tells Nicodemus he "must be born again" (John 3:3).
Catholics believe that being "born again" is not a once-and-done decision but is a continuing action of faith and a commitment to a new way of life. This is in contrast to some Evangelical Protestants, who believe that accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior is the moment of rebirth, and that infant baptism is not effective as only a mature person who can reason and make adult decisions is able to be baptized.
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Catholics are born again through confession and Confirmation
Catholics and Protestants agree that to be saved, one has to be born again. However, the term "born again" is understood differently by Catholics and Protestants. Catholics believe that they are born again through baptism, which is supported by the Bible. For instance, in St. John's Gospel, it is written, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). The Greek word "anothen" in this passage is translated as "again" in the Catholic Bible. This indicates that Catholics must be born "anothen", regardless of the translation.
Baptism is understood as an appeal to God for a clear conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is supported by 1 Peter 3:20-21, where Peter says that as eight people were "saved through water" during the flood, so Christians are "saved" through baptism. Martin Luther also wrote in his Short Catechism that baptism "works the forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and grants eternal life to all who believe."
While Catholics believe that they are born again through baptism, they also believe that confession and confirmation are important sacraments that contribute to their spiritual journey. Confession is the sacrament where Catholics can speak for themselves and confess their sins, accepting the forgiveness of Jesus. Confirmation is when young people are asked to consciously embrace the faith they received at baptism. During confirmation, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are imparted to the previously baptized individual.
In summary, Catholics are born again through baptism, and this belief is supported by the Bible. However, they also place importance on the sacraments of confession and confirmation as part of their spiritual journey.
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Frequently asked questions
Being "born again" refers to the transformation that God’s grace accomplishes in an individual during baptism. It is the moment of rebirth when one becomes an adopted child of God.
Catholics interpret being "born again" as being spiritually born or "born again" through the sacrament of Baptism. They believe that baptism washes away original sin and grants eternal life.
Evangelical Protestants interpret being "born again" differently from Catholics. They believe that becoming "born again" happens when an individual accepts Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, and the sacrament of Baptism merely ratifies that decision.
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