The term is derived from an event in the Gospel of John in which the words of Jesus were not understood by a Jewish pharisee, Nicodemus. Jesus replied, Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.

When was the term born again first used?

The term began to be used in the 1960s to give a specific name to those who renewed their faith. The earliest printed reference I can find to born again in this sense is from the Reno Evening Gazette, October 1914: It [Christian Science] gives man the opportunity of being born again.

What is born again according to the Bible?

Born again is a phrase used by many Protestants to describe the phenomenon of gaining faith in Jesus Christ. It is an experience when everything they have been taught as Christians becomes real, and they develop a direct and personal relationship with God.

Does the Bible say we have eternal life?

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Who can inherit the kingdom of heaven?

Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God” (I Cor. 6:9-10).

What does Jesus say about eternal life?

In John 10:27–28 Jesus states that: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish. This refers to the personal, heart to heart relationship the Christian is expected to have with Jesus.