There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a chief among the Jews. 2 This one came to Jesus at night, and said to him: Rabbi, we know that you have come from God as teacher; because nobody can do these signs that you do, if God is not with him. 3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever is not born again cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to him: How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I tell you, anyone who is not born of water and the Spirit cannot enter the kingdom of God. John 3: 1-5

With repentance, a new order of life is opened to the believer in Christ Jesus. Jesus used the figure of the "new birth" to dramatically indicate three things: 1) Without the "new birth" there is no life or relationship with God (Jn 14: 6). 2) With the "new birth" a new perspective arises; "We will see the kingdom of God" (Jn 3: 3). The word of God becomes clear, and the workings and wonders of the Holy Spirit are experienced; faith is alive. 3) Through the "new birth" we are introduced - literally "we enter" (Jn 1: 5) - into a new sphere, where the order of the new kingdom of God becomes a reality (2 Cor 5:17). The new birth is more than just being "saved." It is a requalifying experience, which opens us to the supernatural dimension of life, and prepares us to enter the new order of the kingdom of God.