He Begat us with the Word of Truth

                                                     

"Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." - James 1:18

In many places, “word” has the meaning of “the gospel.” In this verse, “word” has the meaning of “preaching.” The following verses have the same meaning.

"For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;" - Colossians 1:5

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise," - Ephesians 1:13

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15

“Truth” has the meaning, “the truth which is the gospel or which the gospel presents” (From Thayer’s Greek Lexicon).

When we are born again by obedience to the gospel, we are born of God.

"He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." - John 1:11-13

While Jesus – the Father manifest in flesh – is the only begotten Son, we become sons of God when we are born again. We become born again when we obey the gospel.

The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day. (1Corinthians 15:1-4). Obedience to the gospel is death to sin by repentance, burial with Him by water baptism in the name of Jesus, and resurrection to walk in newness of life by the infilling of His Spirit. (Romans 6:1-4). Jesus begat us when we obeyed His gospel, born again of water and of the Spirit.

After hearing the gospel, the people asked, “What shall we do?”

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38