Answer:
Like natural birth, supernatural birth of being “brought into life as a new spiritual creature” is a work begun in the heart by the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have
passed away; behold, all things have become new.
– John 16:7-9 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me.
The Holy Spirit declares the truth about Jesus Christ through:
- Creation [Romans 1:20-21] For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
- Conscience [Romans 2:15-16] . . who show the work of the law written in their hearts,
their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts
accusing or else excusing them) in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by
Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. - Spoken and Written words of God [Romans 10:15-18] And how shall they preach
unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.”
The Holy Spirit of God shines the light of truth upon our darkened, sinful hearts bringing conviction that we have violated God’s holy Law of Love – Mark 12:29 Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
This recognition of our violation and guilt causes the heart to cry out “I need a Savior, what must I do to be saved?” – Acts 16:29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
The Holy Spirit, through His words, either written or verbal, sweetly declares: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”
At this point the hearer will either respond like the Philippian jailer:
– Acts 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household, or they will respond like the followers of Jesus recorded in John 6:
-John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
The Spirit of Christ is birthed into the heart. The “new-born one”, who was previously a rebel against God and a Christ rejector, is given the power now to desire to fulfill God’s holy Law of Love towards God and their neighbors. This new birth produces such joy that one cannot help but want to tell others:
2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading
through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
Now the “new-born one” begins to declare their gratefulness even like Paul:
- 1 Timothy 1:12-14 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He
counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent [violently arrogant] man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
