I thought I was Born Again?

Many today believe that being “born again” simply means believing in Y’hoshua (Jesus), making a decision, or reciting a sinner’s prayer.

But is that truly what the Scriptures teach?

In an age overflowing with misinformation and confusion, even about spiritual matters, we must return to the pure words of our Rabbi, Y’hoshua HaMashiach. His teachings bring clarity to the question of what it truly means to be born again — and what it means to walk as a talmid (disciple) of HaDerekh — The Way.

The Narrow and the Wide Gates — Mattityahu [Matthew] 7

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Adonai, Adonai,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do the will of My Father who is in heaven.”
“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Adonai, Adonai, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’

And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”

Y’hoshua warns that many will believe they follow Him, yet they will be unknown to Him — because they live in lawlessness, separated from the Torah of Y’hovah.

To be born again is not merely to speak His name; it is to live in obedience and intimacy with Him — hearing and doing His words.

The Two Foundations — Mattityahu [Matthew] 7:24

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

Hearing alone is not enough. The true talmid builds upon obedience — a life transformed by the Word and Ruach of Y’hovah.

A Scriptural Understanding of Being Born Again

The term “born again” speaks of a complete new beginning in relationship with Avinu Elohei — our Father in Heaven.

“Y’hoshua answered and said to him, ‘Amein, amein, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of Y’hovah.’”
— Yochanan [John] 3:3

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”
— Yochanan [John] 3:6–7

This is not symbolic or poetic language. It speaks of spiritual regeneration — the adoption of a believer into Y’hovah’s family (Romans 8:15–16; Galatians 4:5; 1 Yochanan [John] 3:1). It is to receive a new nature, a new spirit, and a new identity.

Why Must We Be Born Again?

Because only through regeneration by the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) can truth be understood and holiness be lived.

“For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.”
— Romans 8:29

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit.”
— Yochanan [John] 15:16

Being born again is not a human decision. It is the work of Y’hovah’s Spirit within the chosen — those called to repentance, sanctification, and obedience through Mashiach.

“According as He has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.”
— Ephesians 1:4

The Process of Being Born Again

Salvation is by grace through faith — but that faith must be living and active.
To be born again involves teshuvah (repentance), mikveh (water immersion) in the name of Y’hoshua, and receiving the Ruach HaKodesh — the power of Y’hovah dwelling within.

“Repent, and let each one of you be immersed in the name of Y’hoshua HaMashiach for the forgiveness of sins; and you will receive the gift of the Ruach HaKodesh.”
— Ma’asei [Acts] 2:38

This pattern is consistent throughout Scripture — repentance, immersion, Spirit.

On the Day of Shavuot (Pentecost), three thousand were born again in this way (Acts 2:41).

Even the Gentiles experienced this when Cornelius and his household received the Ruach HaKodesh and were immersed in water (Acts 10:44–48).

Misconceptions About Being Born Again

Misconception: “I can choose Y’hoshua and be born again by my decision.”
Truth: While salvation is offered to all, the new birth comes by divine calling — it is from above, not from human will (Yochanan [John] 1:12–13).

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you…” — Yochanan [John] 15:16

Steps in the New Birth

1. Believe in Y’hoshua HaMashiach

“To Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”
— Ma’asei [Acts] 10:43

True belief acknowledges Y’hoshua as the atoning Lamb of Y’hovah — the One who delivers us from sin (Yesha’yahu [Isaiah] 53:5; 1 Kefa [Peter] 2:24).

2. Teshuvah (Repentance)

Repentance means turning from sin and returning to Y’hovah with a pure heart.

“If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven.”
— Divrei HaYamim Bet [2 Chronicles] 7:14

True teshuvah includes:

• Confession of sin (Tehillim [Psalms] 32:5)
• Godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:8–11)
• Forsaking sin (Yehezqel [Ezekiel] 18:21–22)
• Making restitution where possible (Luqas [Luke] 19:8)

3. Mikveh (Immersion in Water)

Immersion symbolizes burial of the old self and resurrection to new life.

“We were buried therefore with Him through immersion into death, that just as Mashiach was raised from the dead… we too might walk in newness of life.”
— Romans 6:4

And this was done in the Hebrew name of Y’hoshua HaMashiach, as practiced by the first-century talmidim (Acts 2:38; 10:48).

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Y’hoshua [Y’hovah saves], for He will save His people from their sins.”
— Mattityahu [Matthew] 1:21

There is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

4. Receiving the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit)

The baptism of the Ruach brings power to live in holiness and to witness boldly.

“You will receive power when the Ruach HaKodesh has come upon you.”
— Ma’asei [Acts] 1:8

The evidence of this new birth was often confirmed by speaking in tongues (Acts 2:4; 10:44–46; 19:6), a visible sign of the Spirit’s presence.

“The wind blows where it wills… so it is with everyone born of the Ruach.”
— Yochanan [John] 3:8

Living as One Born Again

After we are born into the Kingdom of Elohim, we must walk as Y’hoshua walked — keeping the mitzvot of Y’hovah, bearing fruit, and continuing in holiness.

“Here is the perseverance of the set-apart ones, those who keep the commandments of Elohim and the faith of Y’hoshua.”
— Hitgalut [Revelation] 14:12

It is not enough to say, “I believe.” We must live the faith of Mashiach — the obedient faith that walks the narrow way.

Final Reflection

Many today think they are born again because they prayed once or joined a church. But Y’hoshua said, “You must be born of water and Spirit.” This is not a ritual — it is a rebirth that changes your heart, your walk, and your destiny.

To be born again is to be restored to covenant fellowship with Y’hovah, through Y’hoshua HaMashiach, walking in the Ruach, and obeying His Torah.

May we be among those few who enter the narrow gate and be truly born from above.

By Rabbi Francisco Arbas
📧 franciscoarbas.yisrael@gmail.com
Following His ‘WAY’ — Netzari Mashiach Judaism