Born of God, Part 1
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Today we are picking up our study of the Gospel of John in chapter 3. This is probably one of the most popular sections in the whole Bible. It is the meeting of Nicodemus with Jesus.
It is the portion of scripture where we find the expression, “Born-again”.
The big question today is,
“What does it mean to be born again?”
“What does it mean to be born again?”
This used to be a term used by evangelical Christians. Over the last few decades it has been adopted by others including Jehovah’s Witnesses, Catholics, cults, and even the secular world. But each of these groups have a different interpretation of what it means to be born again. Today, we want to look at what the Bible says about being born again.
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The setting: Jesus has begun his ministry. He was in Judea, where John was baptizing and John the Baptist declared him to be the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.
He took his first disciples with him, who were from Galilee back there for the wedding recorded in John 2, and the beginning of his ministry in that region.
Then, John records his going to Jerusalem for his first Passover during his ministry years. I believe this was around 27 AD.
Why do I bring this up? One of my goals when I teach the bible is to encourage you to read and study for yourself. I want to encourage us all to read the Bible and believe what it says. Read it in context, and pay attention to the details in the context. Why is this important?
Well, in preparing for last week when we talked about Jesus’ reaction in the temple, I found that there are good Christian authors who have written good commentaries, that were actually saying that what John records here is actually the same thing that Matthew, Mark and Luke record in their gospels occuring at the last Passover Jesus attended, the one during which he was crucified. They reasoned that Jesus would not have done this twice. They reasoned that the priests would have prevented it a second time. That sounds good and logical. But they basically cast doubt on believing what John recorded. And, I believe, they do not pay attention to the details.
In John, he records a response from the Jews, the priests that were running the show, challenging Jesus authority to ‘cleanse’ the temple. Let’s read it.
The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?”
Did you notice the detail that John put in this account? Just like John put in that Jesus went to the Jewish Passover—and I believe that was on purpose where the scriptures before all referred to it as the Lord’s Passover—so also, I believe John recorded the response, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple...” The temple was started in 19 BC. 46 years would put this occurrence in 27 AD, the first year of Jesus’ ministry years.
What is the point? The point is that many of you have study bibles and other helps. Just because you read something in the study notes, do not take that for granted. Read the scriptures for yourself. Look at the context. Look at the details. Ask, why was this written the way it was? Ask what God is trying to communicate. Typically, the scriptures are clear when read in their context. And in this case, these well meaning men, and Christian brothers, I believe cause people undo doubt of the word of God, simply because they want to alleviate some logical argument, that if Jesus did this once, the priests would have stopped it from happening a second time.
When studying God’s Word, read it for what it says. Do not rely on some man’s logical explanation. Read it for what it says, in context. Compare it with other scriptures. Scripture will not contradict scripture. Look for the details, and let the Word speak for itself.
That is important in the passage we are going to look at today as well.
So, please join me in reading John 3:1-21.
Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.
He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things?
Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.
I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?
No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
And whenever studying God’s word, I believe we should ask God to teach us. The Holy Spirit’s job is to lead us into truth. Let’s ask Him to do that this morning.
Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.
Nicodemus was a Pharisee. Pharisees were men who had a high regard for the law. They saw what was going on in Judaism as led by the priests, and the lack of zeal in the people. They wanted to lead the way back to being true followers of God. They took the law of Moses and studied it to find all the rules and regulations. Then, they set boundaries to avoid breaking those laws by adding more traditions. Like not working on the Sabbath. They reasoned to avoid breaking that law, they would not tie knots. But women needed to tie their sashes on their clothing of the day. So, the exception was women could tie their sash. But what if you went to the well, and needed to tie the rope to the bucket? Well, they couldn’t tie a knot, so they would get their wife’s sash and tie it to the bucket to get their water.
Now, that is ludicrous, but real. They were searching for what would make them a holy people again. Some really wanted to be holy. Of course, some just wanted to be ‘holier than thou’ (you see this through the gospels). However, I believe there were some that were truly seeking what could make them holy, as God required.
As a Pharisee, Nicodemus would not have been a part of the ‘bazaar’ at the temple. That was run by the priests who were primarily Sadduccees. Sadduccees did not hold to a literal interpretation of the scriptures. Pharisees did.
Nicodemus was also a part of the Sanhedrin. This was a group of 70 leaders of the Jews. The High Priest was the presiding leader of the group, along with the chief priests. It was a mixture of leading priests, and scribes who were predominantly Pharisees.
So Nicodemus was a man who had high regard for the Word of God, and of high reputation and status among the people and the Pharisees. Jesus gives us further insight in verse 10 when he called him, “Israel’s teacher.” So, Nicodemus knew the word well.
This man, saw what Jesus had done when he cleansed the temple, and what he did afterward, which likely included healings and teaching since that is the pattern Jesus followed in his ministry.
He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
Nicodemus, I believe, was hungry. He was searching for what would truly make him holy. He knew the word better than probably almost everyone else since he was regarded as Israel’s teacher. But, he was missing something. I think he knew the word, and asked like David,
A psalm of David.
Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?
The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart;
whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others;
who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind;
who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken.
But the problem is, when one is really honest with himself, who is blameless? Who does only what is righteous? No one. So how in the world are we going to be with the Lord? How will we dwell with Him? How will we be a part of His kingdom?
So, with that question in his heart, he sees Jesus acting in zeal, he sees Jesus performing these signs showing he is from God. So he comes to Jesus to learn. How can I be with God in His kingdom?
I believe that was the real question in his heart, because that is what Jesus, who knows all men’s hearts (remember John 2:24-25), told him.
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
The literal translation of the word ‘again’ here is from above. This can be used similarly in English when we say, ‘from the top’. So, it can have the inference, ‘again’. But I think Jesus is really meaning from above. This is not something that takes place naturally here on earth.
What is also interesting is the historical context. The Jews came up with a tradition by which those who were Gentiles, that is not born as a Jew, when converting to Judaism to worship the one true God would have to go through a ritual baptism. That baptism was called being ‘born again.’ They were born naturally as a Gentile. Now they were ‘born again’ as Jews. The old life as a Gentile was behind them, and now they would have a whole new life, as a Jew.
So, when Jesus says, you must be born from above, which could be understood as born again, Nicodemus was thinking, “What are you talking about?”
“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
How could I be born all over again? I am already born a Jew. I cannot be any more Jewish. So, are you suggesting being born all over again, and trying again?
To which Jesus answers,
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
What does Jesus mean when he says, ‘born of water and the Spirit’?
This is where context is going to be crucial. Context in the passage, and the context of all of scripture.
There are many scholars, and even evangelical scholars who will say Jesus was saying be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit. They say this because baptism involves water. They use human logic and what is called spiritualizing the text to arrive at this conclusion. They say what is the spiritual meaning behind the text, and think that water is used for baptism so the spiritual interpretation is baptism.
But, is that what Jesus says? Is being born again being baptized in water and receiving the Holy Spirit?
Let’s look to the Word for the answer, and not just human logic. I believe Jesus actually spells out the answer for us in the very next verse.
Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
It is very Jewish to say the same thing twice, in slightly different terminology. That is what happens in the Psalms and Proverbs a lot.
Jesus say be born of the water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. There were no verse breaks when Jesus spoke. It goes together.
Being born of the water is flesh giving birth to flesh. Nicodemus was born a Jew from his mother. But that fleshly status did not lead to spiritual life with God. That was just earthly existence. That is just flesh, and not eternal. That will not get you what you want, Nicodemus. You need another birth, a birth from the Spirit to bring life to your spirit so you can dwell with the Lord.
Jesus went on, saying,
You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’
Nicodemus, you know this. This is why you came. You know that your Jewish existence, your human efforts to be righteous are insufficient. That is why you came tonight! You know it isn’t enough. Why would you be surprised that I say you need a new birth, a whole new start?
And that start, well it is different than your original start! It is spiritual!
And being born of the Spirit is something that you cannot make happen, or control. Jesus equates the work of the Spirit to the wind. I imagine there was a breeze that night, and maybe they saw the flickering of the lamp, and Jesus says,
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
The whole point here is not baptism with water. The whole point here is being born of the Spirit! Being born from above, being born again, is being born of the Spirit.
This is what John talks about in John 1:12-13.
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
Being born from above, or being born again, is not something you and I can bring about, any more than Nicodemus could. Being born again is not a physical action. Rather, it is spiritual. It is a work of God—God the Spirit. It is what makes us children of God. That is why Jesus said three times, John 3:5, born of the Spirit, John 3:6 Spirit gives birth to Spirit, John 3:8 born of the Spirit. The whole point Jesus is making is that one needs to be born from above, from God, that is, born of the Spirit if they want to dwell with God in His kingdom of righteousness.
That is what the context in John shows us. But what about the context of the rest of the scriptures?
Let’s look at other scriptures that talk about being born again, or this rebirth. For each verse, ask what is involved in this rebirth? Where does it come from? What brings it about?
he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
The Holy Spirit brings a cleansing and rebirth. This is truly from above. It is a work of God through the Holy Spirit, Just like Jesus says in John.
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
God uses the Word of Truth, the bible to bring about this new birth. That also goes along with what Jesus says in John 15:3
You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
The Word of God purifies us. It is also what the Spirit uses to renew our minds.
So the agents that bring about being born again, this new birth are the Holy Spirit, and the word of God. When do they do this?
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.
Which is exactly the same as John 1:12-13.
What is being born again? Being born again is more correctly being born from above. It is a spiritual birth, brought about by the Holy Spirit, who uses the Word of God to wash us, renew our minds and give us a whole new life. He does this the moment we believe!
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,
Through faith, we become children of God. It is not through a physical birth into a family or spiritual heritage.
It is not some physical ritual that can impart new life.
No, the Bible is clear, the new birth is purely spiritual! It is a work of the Holy Spirit, using the Word of God to give new life to those who believe the Word that is preached to them.
And what is the result? A whole new life!!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
And through faith, and the power of the Spirit, we will live a whole new way of life, as children of God, partaking in His divine nature, holy and set apart for Him.
And this is not a new teaching it is actually in the Old Testament as well. Ezekiel 36:24–27. Ahh. But that is your homework!
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
Conclusion
Homework:
Read Psalm 15. Meditate on this Psalm. What does God require of those who would dwell with Him? What does He require of you? Put this list in your own words. Who could meet this standard? Thank God for providing Christ’s righteousness to us. 2 Corinthians 5:21.
What does it mean in John 3:3, when it says ‘born again’? Look up the other verses in John where this word is used: John 3:3, 7, 31; 19:11, 23 (top to bottom). Then see how it is used in other passages: Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 1:3 (beginning); Acts 26:5 (long time/from beginning); Galatians 4:9 (all over again); James 3:15, 17 (from heaven). What does it mean when John says, born from above? Read John 1:12-13.
What is the point of John 3:3-8? What is repeated? Nicodemus had a great physical heritage being a Jew. Read Romans 9:4-5. The Jews had great advantages, and a great heritage. But what was the problem? Read Romans 9:30-33. Note: verse 33 is from the Old Testament. What has always been the means of salvation, from Genesis through the end of the Bible? How has everyone that has been saved, been saved?
When does one receive the Spirit? The Spirit is at work convicting of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8). But when does someone receive the Spirit who indwells them? Acts 10:43-48. Ephesians 1:13-14.
How important is the indwelling Spirit? Romans 8:9.
What is it to be a child of God? What are children like? Their parents. Could this be a way of understanding what being a child of God is to be like? 2 Peter 1:4. Children generally learn to crave what foods? Foods their parents eat, or other foods? 1 Peter 2:2-3. As children of God, should we continue in our old life, or live a whole new life? 2 Peter 2:20-22.
Study Ezekiel 36:24-27. This was a promise God made to Israel about what would come in the future. How does this help you understand the ‘new birth’?