Born again

===Reformed===
In [[Reformed theology]], [[Holy Baptism]] is the sign and the seal of one's regeneration, which is of comfort to the believer.<ref name="RCA1992">{{Cite web |date=1992 |title=Confirmation and the Reformed Church |url=https://www.rca.org/resources/confirmation-and-reformed-church |access-date=19 June 2019 |publisher=[[Reformed Church in America]] |language=en}}</ref> The time of one's regeneration, however, is a mystery to oneself according to the [[Canons of Dort]].<ref name="RCA1992" />

According to the [[Dutch Reformed Church|Reformed churches]] being born again refers to "the inward working of the Spirit which induces the sinner to respond to the effectual call". According to the [[Westminster Shorter Catechism]], Q 88, "the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption are, his ordinances, especially the word, sacraments, and prayer; all of which are made effectual to the elect for salvation."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bible Presbyterian Church Online: WSC Question 88 |url=http://www.shortercatechism.com/resources/wsc/wsc_088.html |access-date=12 September 2018 |website=www.shortercatechism.com}}</ref> Effectual calling is "the work of God's Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel."<ref>''Shorter Westminster Catechism, Question 31''.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pribble |first=Stephen |title=Do You Know the Truth About Being Born Again? |url=http://www.reformed.com/publications/bornagain.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413131944/http://www.reformed.com/publications/bornagain.php |archive-date=13 April 2014 |access-date=10 April 2014 |publisher=Reformed Presbyterian Church |location=Southfield}}</ref>

In Reformed theology, "regeneration precedes faith."<ref name="Sproul2005">{{Cite book |last=Sproul |first=R. C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dF3w9I0kxxMC&pg=PA179 |title=What is Reformed Theology?: Understanding the Basics |year= 2005 |publisher=Baker Books |isbn=978-1585586523 |page=179 |access-date=10 April 2014}}</ref> Samuel Storms writes that, "Calvinists insist that the sole cause of regeneration or being born again is the will of God. God first sovereignly and efficaciously regenerates, and only in consequence of that do we act. Therefore, the individual is passive in regeneration, neither preparing himself nor making himself receptive to what God will do. Regeneration is a change wrought in us by God, not an autonomous act performed by us for ourselves."<ref name="Storms2007">{{Cite book |last=Storms |first=Samuel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kh6xpUFPG8gC&pg=PA150 |title=Chosen for Life: The Case for Divine Election |year=2007 |publisher=Crossway |isbn=978-1433519635 |page=150 |access-date=10 April 2014}}</ref>