born again

To be born again, or to experience the new birth, is a phrase, particularly in evangelical Christianity, that refers to a "spiritual rebirth", or a regeneration of the human spirit. In contrast to one's physical birth, being "born again" is distinctly and separately caused by the operation of the Holy Spirit, and it occurs when one accepts Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, believing that Jesus is the son of God, and also believing that he died, was buried in a tomb, and rose again to life on the 3rd day. While all Christians are familiar with the concept from the Bible, it is a core doctrine of the denominations of the Moravian, Baptist, Methodist, Plymouth Brethren and Pentecostal churches along with other evangelical Christian denominations. These churches stress Jesus's words in the Gospels: "Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.'". Their doctrines also hold that to be "born again", and thus "saved", one must have a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.