Dictionary of Bible Themes The beginning or origin of life, in which a living creature comes into the world. Scripture draws a distinction between physical and spiritual birth, insisting that a person must be not only physically but also spiritually born in order to have life to the full. Job 10:8-12Physical birth Psalms 71:6; 139:13God creates all life Psalms 51:5See also Human beings are sinful from the moment of birth Job 15:14; 25:4Psalms 58:3 John 3:6; 9:34 Romans 5:12,17-19 John 3:3 The necessity of spiritual birth Being born again John 3:5-8See also Being born of the Spirit Psalms 87:4-6Matthew 18:3 John 1:12-13 1 Peter 1:3; 2:2 1 Peter 1:23 The agents of the new birth: word and Spirit See also Luke 10:21John 3:5,7-8 Titus 3:5 James 1:18 1 John 3:9; 4:7 The fruit of the new birth: holiness and love See also Matthew 18:41 John 2:29; 5:3-4,18 Deuteronomy 32:18 Spiritual birth and the nation of Israel See also Numbers 11:12Moses implies that God himself gave birth to the people. Exodus 12:48Birth seen as entry into a condition or status Ezekiel 16:3Ethnic identity from birth Acts 17:26; 22:27-28Galatians 2:15; 4:4 Ephesians 2:11 Philippians 3:4-5 John 9:1 Acts 3:2; 14:8 Physical or mental disability from birth See also 2515 Christ, birth of5201 accusation 5232 book 5652 babies 5657 birthright 5663 childbirth 5688 firstborn 5734 relationships 5740 virgin 6023 sin, universality 6728 regeneration 7334 circumcision |
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