Born of God: Regeneration or Conversion?

Did you know that, with the exception of John 1:13, which is essentially the same, the phrase “born of God” is only found in the 1st epistle of John?

Did you know that the Greek word “theos” translated “God” in each of these phrases, could be translated as Christ, or the Holy Spirit, and still be a true statement?

I believe, when one considers the context in which it is used, and when every usage is closely examined, John actually meant the same thing as when the phrase “born of the Spirit” is used elsewhere. I believe that John, knowing his own words from the 14th chapter of his gospel, knew that because Christ and the Father make their dwelling place within the person when the person is “born of the Spirit”, there would be no error in using “theos” to represent any one, or all three.

John uses this phrase seven times. Four of these uses could be referring to either regeneration or conversion, if too hastily we assume incorrectly to understand John’s teachings. And finally there are three uses, which if interpreted as regeneration, contradict the teachings of not only his owns teachings, but also that of other Apostles.

So, did John intend his use of this phrase in reference to regeneration, or conversion?

1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

When John uses “Whosoever”, he is implying that collectively everyone is included. In verse 6, immediately before this usage of the phrase, John defines those who “doth not commit sin”. He states, “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” In John’s gospel, chapter 15, we find that only those who bear fruit abide in Christ. Therefore, John cannot be using the phrase “born of God” in reference to the regenerate, without contradicting himself and the Holy Spirit which is the author of every word of God.

• 1 John 2:23–24 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: [(but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also]. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
• 1 John 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
• John 15:5-6 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned.
• 1 John 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

1 John 5:4-5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Here, John uses “Whatsoever”, but the meaning is the same as with “whosoever”, and that again is to say collectively everyone that is born of God has the victory of overcoming the world and believes in Jesus Christ.

1. Do all the regenerate overcome the world and believe in Jesus Christ? No.
2. Do all the converted overcome the world and believe in Jesus Christ? Yes.

These truths are made evident in Johns teachings:

• 1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

1 John 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

We have yet another use of the word “whosoever” and John uses it to say collectively everyone that is born of God “sinneth not”. And in this same passage John goes so far as to say that those who are begotten “keepeth himself” and cannot be touched by “that wicked one”.

1. Would it be correct to say that all regenerate persons take care not to transgress against God and have overcome the wicked one? No.
2. Would it be correct to say that all converts take care not to transgress against God and have overcome the wicked one? Yes.

According to John’s own words, only the converted have overcome the wicked one.

• 1 John 2:13 … I write unto you, yong men, because ye have overcome the wicked one…
• 1 John 2:14 … I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

John 1:12-13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

1. Are all those who receive him regenerated? Yes.
2. Are all those who receive him converts? Yes.

Or could John be saying that all who receive him are born of God as a result of receiving him?

1. Do all regenerates receive him? No.
2. Do all converts receive him? Yes.

When a person believes he receives the Holy Spirit, and is thus born of the Spirit, quickened by the Spirit, begotten of the gospel, and takes possession of Eternal Life.

• 1 John 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

1 John 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

1. Are all those who doeth righteousness regenerated? Yes.
2. Are all those who doeth righteousness converts? Yes.

Or could John be saying that everyone that doeth righteousness is born of God because of their obedience?

1. Do all regenerates doeth righteousness? No.
2. Do all converts doeth righteousness? Yes.

1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

1. Is everyone that is perfected in love regenerate? Yes.
2. Is everyone that is perfected in love converted? Yes.

Or is John saying that because they love they are born of God as the result of their obedience?

1. Are all regenerate persons perfected in love? No.
2. Are all converts perfected in love? Yes.

1 John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

Once again, John uses “Whosoever”, stating that collectively everyone that believes Jesus is the Christ is born of God.

1. Are all those who believe regenerate? Yes.
2. Are all those who believe converts? Yes.

Or is John saying that every person that believes is born of God as a result of their belief?

1. Do all regenerate people believe? No.
2. Do all converts believe? Yes.

I am thoroughly convinced, by letting scripture interpret scripture, that when John uses the phrase "born of God" he is using it to mean the same thing as the more commonly known phrase "born of the Spirit". Thus, John is using this phrase in reference to conversion. When conversion occurs the Father and the Son make their abode within the child of God in the form of the Comforter, also known as the Holy Spirit. Read John’s gospel, chapter 14, for further details.

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.