The Unshakable Requirement – You Must Be Born Again – No Other Way In

Jesus didn’t leave the door of salvation open to personal interpretation. He said plainly, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Religion may offer alternatives, but Heaven doesn’t. The new birth isn’t about joining a church or adopting morals; it’s about becoming new through water and Spirit. That’s not suggestion – it’s salvation.

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The Necessity of the New Birth

Brethren, hear this with all urgency. The words of Jesus in John 3:3–7 are not a debate – they are a declaration. He said, “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” Notice the word must. Not might. Not should. Not if convenient. Must. The King of Heaven laid down an unchanging condition for entry into His Kingdom.

Nicodemus came at night, a man of knowledge and reputation, a ruler among the Jews. He knew the law, the prophets, the rituals, and the moral codes – but he did not know the new birth. His religion was sincere but incomplete. Can you relate? You may pray, attend services, or even teach others, but if you have not been born again, you’re still standing outside looking in.

Praise the Lord, because Jesus explained what this new birth is. “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5) He didn’t say water alone or Spirit alone, but both – water and Spirit – two inseparable elements of one divine transformation.

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Why Flesh Can’t Fix Flesh

Friends, our natural birth gave us life in this fallen world, but not entrance into the Kingdom of God. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6) You can polish the flesh, discipline it, or decorate it, but flesh will never produce Spirit. Only the Spirit can give life.

This is why Titus 3:5 says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” Notice again – the washing and the renewing – water and Spirit.

And 1 Peter 1:23 declares, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” The Word plants the seed, but the Spirit quickens it to life.

We are not patched up; we are made new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” This isn’t reform – it’s rebirth.

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The “Must” That Removes Guesswork

Praise be to God, the Lord didn’t leave us guessing. When He says must, He removes opinion, debate, and tradition from the conversation. He draws a line between those who have been born again and those who have not.

You can’t inherit salvation. You can’t drift into it. You can’t earn it through effort or emotion. It is a supernatural act of God that happens when we obey His Word. It’s as real and visible as birth itself – when a soul rises from the waters of baptism, cleansed by His name, and filled with the Holy Spirit, they become a new creation.

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The Promise Fulfilled

Now look at the pattern God set from the beginning of the Church in Acts 2. When the people heard Peter’s message, they were “pricked in their heart” and cried, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37)

And Peter, under the same Spirit Jesus promised, gave the same requirement:
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38)

This wasn’t a denominational suggestion – it was a divine command. Peter continued, “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:39)

That promise reaches all the way to you, right where you are today.