Back to the basics- Does Jesus live in our Heart? part 2- Why do we use the phrase “Born Again?”

Review last week-

I. Intro:

II. Why do we use the term “saved?”

III. Why do we use the phrase “Born again?”

Psalms 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.

Luke 1:76-77 (HCSB) 76 And child, you will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, 77 to give His people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. (Jer. 31:34)

INTRO: Some oppose the ideal of being born again, and having a personal relationship with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

A. Jesus was the “firstborn” among many brothers concerning God’s election and church

Romans 8:29 (HCSB) 29 For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.

“Firstborn” here just means that he was the first son among many others who would follow. None will ever attain to the height of His son-ship, because he is the firstborn, and He is God. Jesus was always the Son, but when He came into this world He came in the flesh and was “born” again, if you will.

John 1:14 (KJV) 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

B. Jesus said you must have a “rebirth” to see the kingdom of God- you must be “born “again” or sometimes translated, born “from above.” Nicodemus obviously thought it meant “again” because of his question he asked about going back into his mother’s womb.

“John introduced Nicodemus (lit. conqueror of or victor over the people) as a Pharisee who was a ruler of the Jews, namely a member of the Sanhedrin (cf. 7:50-51). As a Pharisee, Nicodemus had respect for the Jewish Scriptures and was nationalistic politically. He would have stressed the careful observance of Israel's laws and the traditions of the elders. This was the way of salvation for Pharisees.”— Tom Constable's Notes on the Bible

John 3:1-21 (KJV) 1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

1. The kingdom of God is the Messianic kingdom, but speaks of a spiritual kingdom.

“The term "kingdom of God" as Jesus used it consistently refers to the earthly messianic kingdom that will be the earthly phase of God's eternal heavenly kingdom.”— Tom Constable's Notes on the Bible

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

2. You must be a man (born of water see verse 6 for possible proof of this), and be birthed by the Spirit of God

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Born of “water” is much disputed as to its meaning:

“Some advocates of this view see support for it in the previous reference to water baptism (1:26and 33). However, Scripture is very clear that water baptism is a testimony to salvation, not a prerequisite for it (cf. 3:16, 36; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). In addition, this meaning would have had no significance for Nicodemus. He knew nothing of Christian baptism. Furthermore Jesus never mentioned water baptism again in clarifying the new birth to Nicodemus.” — Tom Constable's Notes on the Bible

Because “water and spirit” is possibly speaking of onebirth, and not two, therefore, this phrase must be co-joined. Born of both, in order to enter the Kingdom. This is one way of looking at this. Some argue it means baptized with the Holy Spirit incorrectly. Some argue it has to do with a spiritual washing that comes with salvation and could be correct, as in Ephesians 5:26, although this concept was foreign to Nicodemus. Some also try to incorrectly stretch the meaning to be connected to “repentance” because of John’s baptism. My guess is Jesus is referring to either natural birth, or to the Spiritual washing that comes with salvation (1 Cor. 6:11).

“The Old Testament often used water metaphorically to symbolize spiritual cleansing and renewal (Num. 19:17-19; Isa. 55:1-3; cf. Ps. 51:10; Jer. 2:13; 17:13; Zech. 14:8). God's spirit (or Spirit) in the Old Testament represents God's life (Gen. 1:2; 2:7; 6:3; Job 34:14). God promised that He would pour out His spirit on people as water (Isa. 32:15-16; Joel 2:28-29). The result of that outpouring would be a new heart for those on whom the spirit came (Jer. 31:31-34). Thus the revelation that God would bring cleansing and renewal as water by His Spirit was clear in the Old Testament. Jesus evidently meant that unless a person has experienced spiritual cleansing and renewal from God's spirit (or Spirit) he or she cannot enter the kingdom. This is what He meant by being born from above or again (cf. 1 Cor. 6:11).” [1]

3. The two kinds of birth

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

"There is no evolution from flesh to Spirit."[2]

Now here it may seem Jesus is referring to “born of water” as being “born of the flesh.” Because here two births are mentioned. Why wouldn’t we suppose that Jesus was not referring to the human birth to show the difference? Being born from above is the Spirit birth.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

C. Salvation begins with the crucified Christ

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

1. We must have faith- Whosoever believes in Him

15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

“The word "believeth" denotes the act and process of faith. It comes from the Greek verb pisteuo(GSN-<G4100>) which occurs 248 times in the New Testament. This use of the present tense indicates that faith must be continued in to receive its benefits (Acts 14:22; Eph. 6:16; Col. 1:23; 2:5-7; 1Th. 5:8; 1Tim. 2:15; 3:9; 6:12; 2Tim. 3:8; 4:7; Tit. 1:13; Heb. 10:23-38; 2Pet. 1:5-10). It can be lost (Lk. 8:13; 1Tim. 1:19; 4:1; 5:8, 12; 6:10,21; 2Tim. 2:18; 3:8; Jude 1:3; Rev. 2:13). Faith means:

1. To be persuaded of (Rom. 4:17-22; 8:38-39; 2Tim. 1:12)

2. Place confidence in (Eph. 3:12; Php. 1:6; Heb. 3:6,12-14; 10:35; 1Jn. 3:21; 5:14)

3. The substance or conviction of things hoped for, the assurance of things not seen (Heb. 10:19-38; 11:1,6; Rom. 4:17; 8:24)

4. Absolute dependence upon and reliance in the Word of God and of Christ (Mt. 8:8-10; 15:28; Rom. 10:17; Heb. 11:1-- Heb. 12:3)

5. Full surrender, yieldedness, and obedience to all known truth (Rom. 1:5; 16:26; 6:11-23; Jas. 2:14-26; 2Cor. 10:4-7; Heb. 11:6)

6. Trust wholly and unreservedly in the faithfulness of God (Mt. 6:25-34; 12:21; Lk. 12:28-31; Eph. 1:13; 1Tim. 4:11; 6:17; 1Cor. 10:13)

7. Give one's self over to a new way of life (Rom. 1:17; 6:11-23; 8:1-16; 2Cor. 10:4-7; Gal. 5:16-26; Col. 3:5-10; Heb. 12:1-15; Tit. 2:11-14; 1Jn. 1:7; 2:6; 3:8-10; 4:17; 5:1-5,18)

8. The attribute of God and restored faculty of man whereby both can bring into existence things that are unseen (Rom. 4:17; Gal. 5:22; Mt. 17:20; 21:22; Mk. 9:23; 11:22-24; Lk. 17:6; Heb. 11)

9. The whole body of revealed truth (Lk. 18:8; Jude 1:3; Rom. 10:17; 1Tim. 4:1,6; 6:10; 2Tim. 3:16-17)

10. Joyful faith in, and acceptance of Christ as the substitute for sin and our Savior whereby one receives salvation (Mk. 16:16; Acts 4:12; 10:43; Rom. 1:16; 3:24-31; Eph. 2:8-9); access into grace (Rom. 5:2); fulfillment of the promises (Heb. 6:12); the Holy Spirit (Gal. 3:14); righteousness (Rom. 4; 9:30,32; 10:6; Php. 3:9); sonship (Gal. 3:26); healing (Jas. 5:14-16; 1Pet. 2:24); eternal life (Jn. 3:15-18,36; 5:24; 6:47); and answers to every prayer (Mt. 7:7-11; 21:21; Mk. 11:22-24; Lk. 18:1-8; Jn. 14:12-15; 15:7,16).” [3]

2. Jesus was sent into the world to save it not condemn it.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

D. We must believe in the name of the one and only son of God. Although it may be necessary, Jesus here did not use the phrase “repent.” He uses the phrase “believe in the name.”

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

“The implication of Jesus' illustration of new birth is that life with God in the future will require completely new equipment. Nicodemus had claimed to see something of who Jesus was by His signs. Jesus replied that no one can see God's kingdom, the end in view, without new birth…”

"By the term born again He means not the amendment of a part but the renewal of the whole nature. Hence it follows that there is nothing in us that is not defective." [4]— Tom Constable's Notes on the Bible

E. Believing on His name and receiving him, being thus “born of God.” By grace alone are you saved by believing on Christ.

John 1:10-13 (KJV) 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 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: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Romans 4:16 (KJV) 16 Therefore it isof faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Romans 4:24 (KJV) 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

Romans 5:1-2 (KJV) 1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV) 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Acts 16:30-31 (ASV) 30 and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believeon the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house.

The act of believing includes repentance or changing one’s mindset.

IV. Repent from what?

[1] Carson, pp. 191-96; cf. Hugo Odeberg, The Fourth Gospel, p. 50; Morris, pp. 191-93. [2] E. C. Hoskyns, The Fourth Gospel, p. 204. [3]Finis Jennings Dake, Dake's Annotated Reference Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments of the Authorized or King James Version Text, (Lawrenceville, GA: Dake Bible Sales, Inc., 1997), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: John "Chapter 3". [4] John Calvin, Calvin's Commentaries: The Gospel According to St. John, 1:63.