But How Shall I Know That I Am Born Again? Closing Remarks

But How Shall I Know That I Am Born Again?

By John Bunyan

Closing Remarks 

(As a reminder, this whole section on being born again was lifted out of the middle of Mr. Bunyan's first publication Some Gospel Truths Opened. This last paragraph is both the end of this section and it serves as an introduction to his next section but we will stop here.)


Well then, seeing this is a truth of so great concern, I beseech you, seek to be thoroughly rooted into it by faith. And that you may so be, examine your heart; yes, beg of God to help you to examine it, and to throw out all fancy that you take instead of faith; also throw away all your own wisdom; yes, your own righteousness also, and come to God in the name of the Son of Mary, which is the Son of God, and beg faith of Him, true faith, the faith of the operation of God; such a faith as He gives to His own elect, which will show you clearly of these things; so that you shall not deceive yourself with a fancy of them; and the advantages will be many.

But How Shall I Know That I Am Born Again? part 8 of 8

But How Shall I Know That I Am Born Again?

By John Bunyan

Examination 8

And in the last place, if you are a Christian, then you look for that very Jesus again, whom the Jews did crucify (John 19), whom God raised again, (1 Th 1:10).

I say, you look, you wait, you hasten after the coming of this Lord Jesus, which does deliver you from the wrath to come (2 Pet 3:10-12, He 9:26-28, 1 Th 1:10). Yes you know, that this very man shall so come in like manner, as His disciples did see Him go into heaven, which was a very man (Lu 24:39 & Lu 24:50-51). Yes in a cloud He went away from His disciples, and in the clouds He shall come again (Re 1:7) to judge all that are in their graves (Jn 5:28-29, Dan 12:2) and shall receive all that look for, and love His second coming, to Himself (He 9:27-28), and they shall be for ever with Him (1 Th 4:16-17).

But the wicked shall be cast into eternal damnation (Mat 25:46). These things I say, if you be a Christian indeed, you believe and own, and the faith of them does purify your heart (1 Jn 3:3) and wean you from this world, and the things of it. And if it is not from this principle; that is, if your obedience does not flow from this faith, which is the faith of God's elect, as I have proved at large, your obedience, your zeal, your self denial, your holiness, righteousness; yes all that you can do, is but sin in the sight of the great God of heaven and earth (He 11:6, Rom 14:23). For all true sanctification comes through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, by the operation of the Spirit of God (1 Cor 6:11), "But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." And in (Song of So 1:3), "Thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee."

Scripture Summary

And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. 1 Th 1:10

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 2 Pet 3:10-12

For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
He 9:26-28

Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. Lu 24:39

And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.  And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
Lu 24:50-51

 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. Rev 1:7

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. Jn 5:28-29

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Dan 12:2

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. He 9:27-28

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.1 Th 4:16-17

And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Mat 25:46

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.1 Jn 3:3

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. He 11:6

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Rom 14:23

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Co 6:11

Because of the savor of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. Song of Sol 1:3

But How Shall I Know That I Am Born Again? part 7 of 8

But How Shall I Know That I Am Born Again?

By John Bunyan

Examination 7

Are you born again? Then you know that the doctrine of the Son of God, the Son of Mary, is a right doctrine, which is this; that the Son of God which was with His Father before the world was (Jn 1:1, Jn 17:5) came into the world in the fullness of time, and was made in the likeness of man (Phil 2:7). Being made of a woman or virgin, made under the law, to redeem that were under the law (Ga 4:4). And that was done in this way, what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh; that is, through our flesh; God sending His own Son in likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh, that is, condemned Him in the flesh for the sins of poor sinners. For this, compare Rom 8:3, 2 Cor 5:21, & Gal 3:13 and it will appear clearly to be the truth of God.

Also, that this Son of God, which is the true God, as well as the Son of Mary, did bear our sins in His own body on the tree (1 Pe 2:24), and, did spill His own blood, which is also the blood of God (Ac 20:28). That He died, and was laid in Joseph's sepulchre (Jn 19:38-42) and rose again the third day (Ac 10:40) that very Man (Lu 24:39-45) and ascended up into heaven in a cloud (Ac 1:9-11) and there ever lives to make intercession for us, that very Man (He 7:24-25, He. 8:3 He 10:12).

Scripture Support

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Jn 1:1

And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. Jn 17:5

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. Phil 2:7

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. Gal. 4:4

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. Rom 8:3

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Cor 5:21

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree. Gal 3:3

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1 Pet 2:24

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Acts 20:28

And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.  And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.  Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.  Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.  There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand. Jn 19:38-42

Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly. Acts 10:40

 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.  And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.  And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?  And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.  And he took it, and did eat before them.  And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures. Lu 24:39-45

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.  And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:9-11

But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. He 7:24-25

For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. He 8:3

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God. He 10:12

But How Shall I Know That I Am Born Again? part 6 of 8

How Shall I Know That I Am Born Again?

By John Bunyan

Examination 6

Are you born again? Then you know that God has given you your faith that you have in His Son.
Then you are to say through grace, there was a time in which I had no faith; there was a time in which I could not believe in the Son of God for eternal life. But God, who in His rich mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins (and unbelief; which is the greatest) hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace ye are saved (Eph 2:4-5) "through faith" (verse 8).

Scripture Support

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,  even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;). Eph 2:4-5

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Eph 2:8

But How Shall I Know That I Am Born Again? part 5 of 8

But How Shall I Know That I Am Born Again?

By John Bunyan

Examination 5

Are you born again? Then you can not be quiet until you do see God lift up the light of His countenance upon you. Yes, you have such a desire after the light of God's countenance, that all the glory, riches, honor, pleasure, profits, & company of this world will not satisfy until you do see God to be a reconciled Father to you in the Lord Jesus Christ (Ps 4:6, Jn 14:8, Ps 35:3).

Then you will not be quiet until you do hear from the Son of Mary, which is the Lord of glory, such a voice as this, "Son be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven you"; and "My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Co 12:9, 1 Co 2:8).

But, if you can content yourself with anything below this, you will, when all comes to all, be found but a rotten-hearted professor, who will have your portion among the slothful ones, who will fall in the judgement of the Son of Man, when He comes in flaming fire with His mighty angels (2 Th 1:8).

Supporting Scripture

 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Ps 4:6

Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jn 14:8

Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. Ps 35:3

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Co 12:9

Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1 Co 2:8

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Th 1:8

But How Shall I Know That I Am Born Again? part 4 of 8

But How Shall I Know That I Am Born Again? 

By John Bunyan

Examination 4

Are you born again? Then you see all true peace and joy comes through the blood of the Son of Mary, and His righteousness (Rom 7:25 & 1 Cor. 15:57).

There are many poor souls that are taken with raptures of joy and false conceited consolation (Jn. 16:20) which does come from the devil and their own deceitful hearts; but their joy shall be turned into mourning and sorrow of heart (Luke 6:24-25).

But you that are a Christian in deed, and not in word only, rejoices in Christ Jesus the Son of Mary. Yes, though now you see Him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Pet 1:8).

And these two things are the fruits of your faith and of your joy.
1. The Lord Jesus Christ is very precious to you. (1 Pet 2:7a)
2. You do purify your heart by this faith, and the power of the Spirit of Christ, which you have received into your soul (Rom 8:13, Acts 15:9, & 1 Jn 3:3)

But, if your guilt of sin goes off and convictions go off any other way than by the blood and righteousness of the Man Christ Jesus, your guilt goes off not right, but wrong, and your latter end will be a very bitter end without faith and repentance; for it is His blood through which all true peace comes (Col 1:20). And there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we should be saved, but by the Lord Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 4:10-12 compared together).

Scripture Support

 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Rom 7:25

 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 15:57

Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. Jn 16:20

But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.  Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Luke 6:24-25

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. 1 Pet 1:8

Unto you therefore which believe he is precious. 1 Pet 2:7a

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Rom 8:13

 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Acts 15:9

And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure. 1 Jn 3:3

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. Col 1:20

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.  This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:10-12

But how shall I know that I am born again? part 3 of 8

But How Shall I know that I am Born Again? 

By John Bunyan

Examination 3

Are you born again? Then you see that your great sin was lack of faith in the Son of Mary. 

Then you see that it is He that was sent of God to die for the sins of the world (Jn 1:29, Jn 3:16-19, & Acts 13:38-39), and that you are complete in Him, without any works of the law (Ro 4:5). 

Then you rejoice in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh (Phil 3:3), yet you rejoice in the flesh and blood of the Son of Mary, knowing that His flesh is meat indeed, and His blood is drink indeed (Jn 6:55),  out of which you would very willingly make your life all your days; out of His birth, obedience, death, resurrection, ascension and glorious intercession, now at the right hand of His Father (Heb 7:24-25). 

But if you are wavering in these things, know that you are but a babe at best, and for all you know, God may cut you off in your unbelief, and cast you into utter darkness, where there shall be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Scripture support

The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. Jn 1:29

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.  He that believes on Him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  Jn 3:16-19


Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:  And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.  Acts 13:38-39


But to him that works not, but believes on Him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.  Rom 4:5


For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Phil 3:3



For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.    Jn 6:55


 But this man, because He continues ever, has an unchangeable priesthood.  Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them.  Heb 7:24-25

But how shall I know that I am born again? part 2 of 8

But how shall I know that I am born again?

by John Bunyan

Tonight, I have converted the old english to new, hopefully this will smooth the reading out.

Examination 2

You think that you have been born again, (it is well if you have) but unless you should deceive your poor soul, I pray you consider, when did the Spirit of the Lord Jesus show you, that you have no faith in you by nature? And when did the Spirit of Christ convince you of sin, because you did not believe in Him? It may be you have been convinced of sins against the law, by the law, and your own conscience, as the Pharisees were. 
Jn 8:9, Rom 3:20

Ay, but when did you see yourself a lost creature for lack of faith in the son of Mary? If not, you have not yet been savingly convinced by the Spirit of Christ; for that, when He convinces effectually of sin, He convinces of unbelief; though you have been never so much convinced of sins against the law, if you have not seen yourself under the power and dominion, guilt and punishment of sin, because you did not believe in Christ, you have not yet been savingly convinced! Because that's one work of the Spirit to convince of sin, "Because they believe not on Me," says Jesus the Son of Mary, who was espoused to Joseph the carpenter. 

But on the contrary, do you not say in your heart, you never had your faith to seek, but have always believed with as good a faith as any one alive? If so, then know for certain that you have no faith of the operation of God in you, according to God's ordinary working; and if so, then know, that if the Son of Man should come to judge the world at this moment of time, that you with all your faith (you think you have) would fall in the judgment. 2 Thess 2:12


Supporting scriptures


"And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst."    Jn 8:9


"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."  Rom 3:20


"That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thess 2:12

But how shall I know that I am born again?

These days I am reading in John Bunyan's works. It is something that seems very beneficial to my soul at this particular time. I'd like, if you do not mind, to share some excerpts from his articles using this blog. 

Mr. Bunyan's writings are simple but sharp and his thoughts are brief but penetrating. They are full of Christ and so they are full of truth. Since he wrote in the 1600's the language is the Elizabethan style, keep that in mind as you read. I recognize that he is only flesh and blood and therefore subject to error, so read it as you would any man, with one eye on the scriptures.

Right now I'm reading his article titled Some Gospel Truths Opened. This gem was his first publication.  We will jump into the middle of this book where he asks and answers the question "But how shall I know that I am born again?". He gives 8 examinations.

Examination 1. 

 Thou thinkest that thou art a Christian; thou shouldest be sorry else: well, but when did God shew thee that thou wert no Christian? When didst thou see that: and in the light of the Spirit of Christ, see that thou wert under the wrath of God because of original sin? Rom 5:12

Nay, dost thou know what original sin means? Is it not the least in thy thoughts? And dost thou not rejoice in secret, that thou art the same that thou ever wert? 

If so, then know for certain that the wrath of God to this very day abideth on thee. Jn 3:36. 
And if so then thou art one of those that will fall in the judgement, except thou art born again, and made a new creature, 2 Cor. 5:17.




Supporting scriptures:
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Rom 5:12


He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Jn 3:36


Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Cor. 5:17