John 3

1. Kingdom, Water & Spirit discussion (John 3:1-10)

A. Can this be Christian baptism? Considerations:

i. Nicodemus expected to understand, John 3:10

ii. Christian baptism not yet commanded (Mt 28:19, Acts 2:38)

iii. John’s baptism doesn’t bring the Holy Spirt or the Kingdom of God (Acts 1, Acts 2:38, cf. Acts 18:24 – 19:6)

B. What is Jesus talking about then? Possible OT background

i. Ezekiel 36:25-27

a. PLACE PASSAGES

ii. Exodus 15:10 (NASB95)

a. “You blew with Your wind, the sea covered them; They sank like lead in the mighty waters.”

b. Hb. Ruach = Breath = Wind = Spirit

C. Born of water and the Spirit prefigure Christian baptism

i.

2. Who is the Son of Man? (John 3:11-15)

A. OT Background

i. Son of Man ascends to Heaven; Daniel 7:13-14

a. Daniel 7:13-14 (NASB95): I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. “And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed.

ii. Men who have gone to heaven

a. Elijah (2 Kings 2:11)

b. Enoch (Gen 5:24)

a. During the time of Jesus, a popular interpretation of Dan 7 is that Enoch is the Son of Man (1 Enoch 71:13)

iii. Jesus is the Heavenly Man

B. Jesus and the Bronze Serpent (John 3:14, cf. Num 21.9)

i. Israel: physically dying because of their sin; whichever of the Israelites trusted in God, by Moses, had life physically restored.

ii. World: Spiritually dead because of sins, whosoever trust in God, by Jesus, have eternal life.

iii. Double-meaning: Jesus “lifted up” refers to both Crucifixion an Ascension.