One of the most profound and foundational questions in Christianity is: How am I saved? Central to this question is the concept of being “born again.” While many Christians today associate being born again with a personal moment of conversion, the Early Church present a rich and holistic understanding of salvation rooted deeply in Scripture, Tradition, and the life of the Church.
The Biblical Foundation: Born Again by Water and the Spirit
Jesus told Nicodemus, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God... Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:3,5). This teaching underpins the Early Church’s view of salvation. Being born again is not just a metaphorical phrase but a real spiritual rebirth accomplished through baptism — by water and the Holy Spirit.
Baptism: The Gateway to New Life
The Early Christians believed baptism was the sacrament by which a person dies to sin and is reborn in Christ. It is the moment of spiritual regeneration, where original sin and all personal sins are washed away, and the individual is incorporated into the Body of Christ, the Church.
- St. Irenaeus (2nd century) described baptism as the way we are “reborn to God.”
- St. Augustine (4th century) taught that baptism cleanses original sin and infuses the soul with grace, making us children of God.
Through baptism, the believer is not only forgiven but also receives the Holy Spirit, who begins the work of transforming the person into a new creation. This grace is a gift from God, not earned by human effort but received by faith and the Church’s sacramental life.
Faith and Grace: The Foundation of Salvation
The Early Church and Catholic tradition emphasize that salvation is a free gift of grace from God. Faith is essential — it is the response of trust and obedience to God’s call — but faith is never alone. It is united with baptism and the reception of grace.
This grace is the beginning of a lifelong journey. Salvation is not a one-time event but a process of continual growth in holiness, sustained by the sacraments, prayer, good works, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Cooperation with Grace: Faith and Works Together
Unlike some modern understandings of salvation that emphasize faith alone, the Early Church and Catholic teaching make clear that faith must be lived out in love and good works. Works do not earn salvation but flow from genuine faith and cooperation with God’s grace.
The Epistle of James reminds believers, “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). The early Christians understood that being born again meant a transformation that bore fruit in charity, obedience, and participation in the Church’s sacramental life.
A Personal Relationship with Christ
Salvation is not just about escaping judgment—it’s about entering a new relationship with God. The Holy Spirit adopts us as children of God, enabling us to call Him “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15).
St. Augustine encourages believers to cultivate this intimate relationship:
“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”
Invitation
If you have not yet trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior, consider His invitation today.
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)
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