What Does It Mean to Be Born Again?: Born Again with R.C. Sproul

Summary

In this session, the speaker delves into the mysterious nature of spiritual rebirth, using personal stories and biblical references to explore regeneration's profound and elusive impact. Drawing from his own experience, as well as an encounter with Billy Graham, he illustrates how regeneration is a deeply personal, often invisible transformation. The speaker emphasizes the mysterious and invisible work of the Holy Spirit in bringing about spiritual rebirth, comparing it to the wind, which can be felt but not seen. Ultimately, the process of being born again is marked by a changed inner disposition and an affection for God that was previously absent.

Takeaways

• 😀 Regeneration (spiritual rebirth) is necessary for entering the Kingdom of God, as emphasized in Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus.
• 😀 Spiritual rebirth is mysterious and cannot be easily explained, even to skilled theologians.
• 😀 Personal experiences of conversion, like those of Billy Graham and the speaker’s wife, vividly illustrate the transformative and passionate nature of spiritual rebirth.
• 😀 Regeneration is an invisible process, akin to the wind — its effects are seen, but its origins and movements are mysterious and imperceptible to the naked eye.
• 😀 The Holy Spirit’s work is described as a mysterious force that cannot be fully understood, as evidenced by the analogy of wind and breath.
• 😀 Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus highlights the confusion people experience when trying to understand spiritual rebirth, as Nicodemus mistakenly interprets it as a physical re-birth.
• 😀 Jesus explains that spiritual rebirth is not a repetition of biological birth, but a transformation of one's spirit, where the flesh yields flesh and the Spirit yields spirit.
• 😀 The rebirth process is described using the Hebrew and Greek words for 'spirit,' 'breath,' and 'wind,' illustrating the deep connection between the Spirit and natural phenomena.
• 😀 The Holy Spirit’s invisible work in a person’s soul is what leads to regeneration, which often can’t be easily recognized by others, leading to potential confusion or doubt about one’s own transformation.
• 😀 Spiritual rebirth is not just about behavior change but involves a deep internal transformation of one's disposition and affections toward God.
• 😀 The evidence of being born again is found in the changed direction of the heart, a new affection for God, even if the process and origins remain mysterious and incomprehensible.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the first session discussed in the transcript?

The first session focuses on the absolute necessity of spiritual rebirth for entering the Kingdom of God, as taught by Jesus to Nicodemus.

What does Sproul highlight about the mysterious character of regeneration?

Sproul emphasizes that regeneration, or being born again, is mysterious in nature, both for those who experience it and for theologians, as it is difficult to fully comprehend or explain.

How did Billy Graham describe his conversion experience to Sproul?

Billy Graham described his conversion as a transformative experience where he was irresistibly drawn to Christ, feeling a passion that remained as vivid as the moment it happened, and he attributed it to the Holy Spirit's work.

What personal dilemma did Sproul face regarding his fiancée, Vesta?

Sproul faced a moral dilemma regarding his fiancée, Vesta, as he was newly converted and had been taught that Christians should not marry non-Christians. This caused inner conflict, as he was engaged to Vesta, who was not yet a Christian.

How did Vesta experience her spiritual conversion?

Vesta experienced her conversion during a Christian meeting, where she felt an overwhelming joy and personal understanding of her redemption, realizing for the first time who the Holy Spirit was.

What did Vesta struggle with after her conversion?

After her conversion, Vesta struggled with the security of her newfound faith, repeatedly checking if she still felt the presence of the Holy Spirit, questioning if it was real and lasting.

What key concept about spiritual rebirth does Jesus explain to Nicodemus?

Jesus explains to Nicodemus that spiritual rebirth is necessary for entering the Kingdom of God, highlighting that what is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.

How does Jesus describe the process of spiritual rebirth to Nicodemus?

Jesus compares the process of spiritual rebirth to the wind, explaining that while the wind is invisible, its effects can be seen, similar to how the Holy Spirit works in the life of a believer.

What does Sproul mean by regeneration being invisible?

Sproul means that spiritual rebirth is an internal, invisible transformation that cannot be directly seen but is evidenced by a change in one's heart and behavior, making it difficult to discern with the naked eye.

What analogy does Sproul use to explain the mystery of regeneration?

Sproul uses the analogy of the wind, explaining that just as we can perceive the wind by its effects but cannot see it, spiritual rebirth is similarly mysterious, with its effects visible in a person's life but the process itself invisible.