Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. John 3:3-6 NKJV

Salvation, conversion, and the new birth are progressive and seamless growth experiences as a result of hearing and receiving the Word of God (James 1:21). To sum it up, salvation is about believing; conversion is about turning; and, the new birth is about seeing and entering the Kingdom of God. The same way that a new born baby is born with a birth mark, if one it truly born-again, there will be “birth marks” of the reborn.

A birthmark is a benign mark in the skin present at birth or it may appear shortly after birth. According to the New Testament scriptures, there are at least four marks of the New Birth:

1.  Walking in love of the Anointed Messiah our Prophet, Priest, and King (1 John 5:1; 4:7, 8);

2.  Overcoming faith (1 John 5:4);

3.  Freedom from the power of sin (1 John 3:9; 5:18); and,

4.  The practice of righteousness (1 John 2:29).

Nicodemus was a religious ruler of Israel, who undoubtedly loved and served God, but he didn’t understand the Kingdom of God; therefore, he wasn’t born-again. Neither did he demonstrate any of the above marks of the reborn. But later, after the crucifixion of Jesus, appearing with Joseph of Arimathea, they asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now he and Joseph were disciples of Jesus, they came and took Jesus’ body away. Nicodemus evidenced walking in love, overcoming faith, freedom from the power of sin, and righteousness (John 19:38-41). The born-again Nicodemus boldly showed the birth marks of his rebirth.