What does the Anglican Church teach about being born again?
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There are several questions on Christianity Stack Exchange about being born again (or born from above) and how this relates to baptism, including infant baptism. However, the question I have been asked to answer is specifically about the teaching of the Anglican Church (North America) on what it means to be born again.
The main biblical passage on the subject is to be found in John 3:3-7:
>I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, “You must be born again”.
From a Reformed Protestant perspective the new birth, being born again, is an act of God whereby eternal life is imparted to the person who believes (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1-4, 18). It is a spiritual event and is not physical. It transforms the Christian who becomes a child of God and is adopted into God’s family as expressed in John 12:12-13:
>But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
The purpose of my question is not to argue about what being born again means, or whether it is essential to be baptised in water (either as an infant or as an adult). I simply need to understand what the Anglican Church teaches about being born again and would appreciate any links to official articles that provide a summary.
Asked by Lesley
(34714 rep)
Dec 17, 2021, 01:20 PM
Last activity: Dec 18, 2021, 03:09 PM
Last activity: Dec 18, 2021, 03:09 PM