One right way to know the truth in the Bible! Jn.3:16
Jn.3:1à The scripture introduce Nicodemus as a man
of the Pharisees and a ruler of the Jews at the time!
Jn.3:2à Nicodemus' knowledge about Jesus:
1. You are a teacher come from God.
2. These things you do prove to us that God is with you.
Otherwise no man can do these things!
Jn.3:3à Jesus answered and said unto him. Verily, verily, I say unto you.
Except one be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
God expect readers to have common sense to know, before an answer
there is a question and from the answer to know the question!
To have salvation in Jesus, basic common sense is required!
This is the answer to the question posted by Nicodemus!
Yes, the answer to the question isà Except one be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God!
This is a negative way of answering a question!
The positive way of answer would beà you must be born again first!
Logically, then, the question should beà
What must I do to see the kingdom of God?
Jesus’ answer: You must be born again first!
Jn.3:4à Nicodemus said unto him, How can a man be born when he is old?
Can he enter a 2nd time into his mother's womb, and be born again?
1. We know this is a natural follow up question! What must I do to see the kingdom of God?
You must be born again first! I am old now! How can I be born again?
2. We also know, Nicodemus may be a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews!
And his knowledge of Jesus was very good!
3. But when comes to born again, he was ignorance! All he could think about is physical life!
Yes, in physical life he is old!
And it is impossible to enter his mother’s womb and be born the second time!
Jn.3:5à Jesus answered: Verily, verily, I say unto you, except one be born of water and Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God!
1. Here we see Jesus continue to answer his follow up questions!
2. You must be born again is about being born of water and the Spirit!
Born again is not enter into mother’s womb and be born the 2nd time!
3. Up to here we also know his original question was: What must I do to enter the kingdom of God?
4. Jesus’ answer is simple and clear!
To enter the kingdom of God you must be born of water and Spirit!
By the grace of God, we know Peter, Paul and Philip tell us exactly what is born of water and the Spirit! Acts 2:38, 16:35-38, 22:16.
Jn.3:6à That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
1. Here we know Jesus explained to him. Being old is a physical thing.
Enter into mother’s womb and be born again is physical thing.
2. Kingdom of God is spiritual thing! To this Nicodemus did not know!
Jn.3:7-8à Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born anew.
The wind blow where it will, and thou hear the voice thereof, but know not whence it come, and whither it go: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
1. Spiritual thing is like wind cannot be seen with physical eyes!
2. It is like wind people depend on its effects to know!
3. Like the way a chief sinner become such a dedicated gospel preach in Paul’s life!
Jn.3:9à Nicodemus answered and said to him: How can these things be?
Naturally, this means how can I be born again of water and Spirit.
By the grace of God, it is clear to us! What are the these things!
Jn.3:10-13à Jesus introduce himself to him to build his faith in him!
Jn.3:14-15à And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even
so must the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth may in
him have eternal life.
This is a story recorded in Num.21:1-9!
21:1à Canaanites were about to defeat Israel!
21:2-4à They vowed to God for defeating the Canaanites. Their request to God was granted!
21:5à Israel spoke against God and against Moses.
21:6à God sent fiery snakes among them, many died of snake bites!
21:7à They asked Moses to pray for their salvation from the snakes!
21:8-9à God told Moses to make a brass fiery snake and set it up.
Anyone that got bit may see this brass snake and live.
It takes much study of the Bible and with God’s mercy we know this means, Jesus was telling Nicodemus to wait for the time when the Son of man be lifted up!
It is after that happened, people may believe Jesus is the Christ, repent and be baptized for remission of sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit! Acts 2:36-38
This was where Peter got the message he preached in Acts 2:36-38.
Now we come to the last unwritten natural question!
Why did God give his only Son to die on the cross so we can enter the kingdom of God to have eternal life?
We now come to the beloved verse:
John 3:16à For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.
As we can see, if we study the Bible in a progressive way, step by step, the message in the scripture is clear, Jn.3:16 is a conclusion of the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus about what must I do to enter the kingdom of God to have eternal life!
The complete answer to this question is: Believe Jesus is the Christ, repent and be baptized for remission of sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, live as a child of God.
Anyone in the world take this verse out of this context and teach otherwise will be teaching a gospel different from what Paul preached!
In that case as Paul said in Gal.1:8 will be condemned!
May the Lord bless you and keep you always! Lord willing I may preach this on January, 30, 2011.
Some how I did not preach this one on the day!
But that is O.K. it worth your time to read and be blessed with knowing the truth!
May you really do what Jesus said and be free from sins!