Born Again John 3:1-8

Introduction Many religious people use the term “born again Christian” –The term is actually repetitive To be “born again” means to become a Christian If you weren’t “born again” then you didn’t become a Christian If you are a Christian, then you were “born again” In this lesson we’ll see how Jesus explained this concept to a Jew named Nicodemus

Nicodemus Jn 3:1-2 A Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews –Of the strictest religious sect They had asked John the Baptizer if he was the Christ (Jn 1:19-27) Would have known John’s answer that someone greater was among them –A member of the Sanhedrin, ruling council Came to Jesus at night –Not wanting anyone to notice (Jn 12:42-43)

Nicodemus Called Jesus, “Rabbi” meaning “my master” –Often used as an honorific for a teacher or superior Said “we know”, who are the “we”? –Could be the Sanhedrin –Could be the Pharisees –Could be the Jews Used “know” Grk eido meaning “see, perceive” –Not the Greek word for definite knowledge –Had seen the miracles and understood the necessity of God’s approval Answering the need for a sign (Jn 2:19)

Born again Jn 3:3 –To “see” the kingdom of God Used eido like Nicodemus had used it –Saying if you are not “born again”, then you won’t really “see” the kingdom of God The Jews had been looking for an earthly king and kingdom which all could see –Jesus says it won’t happen »Just as they could “see” the signs and still not completely believe and know He was Christ –Telling Nicodemus he would have to do better than his opening statement indicated if he hoped to see the kingdom of God

The kingdom of God What kingdom were they speaking of? –Nicodemus probably thought in terms of a physical kingdom with the Christ as king Jesus knew that was not the plan of God –Lk 17:20-21; Jn 18:36-37 –He is trying to get Nicodemus to understand the spiritual nature of the kingdom

Born a second time? Jn 3:4-6 –Nicodemus gets stuck at “born again” Did He mean an physical second birth? How could such a second birth be possible? –Jesus says He is not talking physical birth That only brings physical life –The birth He spoke of was to bring spiritual life Must be born of water and the Spirit –Not 2 births (born of water and born of the Spirit) –But one singular birth with two essential components (Titus 3:5)

The kingdom of God Notice that the spiritual birth Jesus speaks of is to “enter” the kingdom –It is not enough for someone to just “see” the kingdom The kingdom is where people are who are being saved (Col 1:12-13) But to enter that kingdom one must be born of water and the Spirit

Water Some people spend a lot of time trying to show “water” isn’t really water –One writer came up with 5 completely different and unrelated explanations But before the 1500s no one thought Jesus meant anything other than water baptism –“There is not any one Christian writer of any antiquity in any language but what understands it [Jn 3:5] of baptism.... I believe Calvin was the first that ever denied this place to mean baptism. He gives it another interpretation, which he confesses to be new." - William Wall (History of Infant Baptism)

Water and the Spirit Water is present in physical birth –The child comes out of the water Water is present in spiritual birth –The child of God comes out of the water Acts 2:38-41, 8:35-39, 16:15, 32-33; 1 Pet 3:20-22 The Spirit acts upon our spirit when we are immersed in the water (Titus 3:5) –The Spirit also provided the words which convicted us of sin leading us to baptism 1 Pet 1:22-25; Jn 16:7-13

Evidence of spiritual birth Jn 3:6-8 –With physical birth, you see the physical body and can tell birth has happened –But will there be evidence of spiritual birth? Not direct evidence –Like the wind (Grk word is same as Spirit) which can be detected by indirect means (sound, effect on other things) –Evidence of spiritual birth can be shown indirectly –The water is only evidence of water Not evidence one was born of water and the Spirit Of course, the absence of water would show no spiritual birth had taken place

Evidence of spiritual birth Jesus doesn’t immediately explain the evidences of spiritual birth –Nicodemus asks a question and the conversation heads in a slightly different direction We’ll look at that in our next lesson But elsewhere, Jesus does tell us... –Mt 7:16-23 By their fruit (Gal 5:22-24) By their obedience (1 Jn 5:3; Jms 2:17-19) Faith alone and feelings are not evidence of spiritual birth (as water alone would not be evidence)

Conclusion Do you want to see the kingdom of God? Do you want to enter the kingdom of God? –If you answer, “Yes”, then why not obey the Lord? –Be born again; born of water and the Spirit Mk 16:15-16