Lesson 4, Chapter 3

THE NECESSITY OF THE NEW BIRTH (1-3) Jesus emphasizes the necessity of the new birth

Who was Nicodemus?

 Where else is he mentioned?
 Why did he come to Jesus by night?
 How does he feel about Jesus?

Being Born Again is Necessary to See the Kingdom of God

 One must be born again to see (enter) the kingdom - John 1:3, 5, 7
 The kingdom is not of this world - John 18:36, Luke 17:20-21
 The kingdom is made up of faithful subjects (the church) - Colossians 1:13
 The kingdom is both present and future - Matthew 13:41-43

Being Born Again is Necessary to be Saved

 In the Kingdom we are saved from the powers of darkness - Colossians 1:13
 Salvation requires a rebirth, a regeneration - Titus 3:5

TNE NATURE OF THE NEW BIRTH (4-5) Nicodemus is confused, assuming that Jesus has in
mind a physical birth. So Jesus explains the nature of the new Birth.

New Birth Involves Both Water and the Spirit

 One birth involving two elements - water and the Spirit
 A washing of regeneration (water) and renewing of the Holy Spirit (Spirit)

New Birth Involves the Word of God

 One is born again by the Word - 1 Peter 1:23
 Jesus sanctifies and cleanses His church by the washing of water by the word -
Ephesians 5:26
 Baptism must be administered in conjunction with the Word of God to be of benefit
 The new birth involves several elements (water, Spirit, Word of God), all coming together
when one responds to the gospel in baptism – Acts 2:37-39

THE EVIDENCE OF THE NEW BIRTH (6-8) While there is evidence that one is born of water
as they rise from the watery grave of baptism, the evidence of their being born of the Spirit
comes later - the evidence of the new birth.

Seen By The Effect of the Spirit

 We should expect that what the Spirit produces is spiritual – John 3:6
 Like the wind (the same Greek word as Spirit), we do not see the Spirit itself but the
effect that it produces
 Has one been truly born of the Spirit (born again)? With time there should be clear
evidence that a change has occurred – 1 John 3:14
Seen by The Fruit of The Spirit
 Paul describes the fruit (evidence) of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23
 Which comes not only being born of the Spirit, but walking in the Spirit – Galatians 5:16,
25
 Where the fruit does not appear, either there was never any rebirth or one is walking after
the flesh, not the Spirit! – Galatians 5:17

V 10 What does “born again” mean?

The Bible uses the expression "born again" only a few times...
 Jesus in His conversation with Nicodemus – John 3:3, 5, 7
 Peter in his first epistle – 1 Peter 1:3, 23
 The idea of being "born" of God is used many times – John 1:13, 1 John 5:1

In His discussion with Nicodemus, Jesus reveals much about being "born again."
 God is a God of new beginnings/2nd, 3rd, + more chances
 Romans 6:1-5 – The new beginning

V 11-15 Moses and the serpent (Numbers 21:8-9)

THE BASIS FOR THE NEW BIRTH (14-18) Jesus describes the basis for the new birth.

The Sacrifice of Christ

 Jesus compares His eventual crucifixion to Moses' lifting up of the serpent – John 3:14;
Numbers 21:4-9
 So people would be saved from perishing by believing in Jesus – John 3:15
 Without redemption from sin, regeneration would be meaningless; the new birth provides
both – Acts 22:16; Titus 3:5

The Love of God

 God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that those who believe might
have everlasting life (enter the kingdom of God) – John 3:16
 God does not want anyone to perish or be condemned, but to be saved - John 3:16b-17
 God's love for man is what makes Christ's sacrifice and the new birth possible! – 1 John
4:9-10

The Faith Of Man

 Those who believe in Jesus will not perish, but have everlasting life – John 3:15-16
 They will not be condemned, unlike those who do not believe - John 3:18
 The new birth requires faith in Jesus; without faith, being born of water is meaningless,
and born of the Spirit impossible - Mark 16:16; John 8:24; Acts 8:36-37

V 16-21 Most famous passage in New Testament

God – A God of love – John the apostle of love

THE REJECTION OF THE NEW BIRTH (19-21) Christ's sacrifice and God's love, in
cooperation with man's faith, makes the new birth possible. Yet many remain condemned for
lack of faith in Jesus. Jesus offers reasons for the rejection of the new birth.

Many Love Darkness More Than Light

 Light (Jesus) has come into the world – John 3:19a; John 1:5,9; John 8:12
 There are those who love the darkness because of their evil deeds – John 3:19b
 Their love for things of the world cause them to reject the light of Jesus – Luke 16:14

Many Do Not Want to be Exposed by the Light

 They know that coming to Jesus will expose their evil deeds – John 3:20; Ephesians 5:13
 But those willing to obey do not fear the light – John 3:21
 Unwilling to give up their evil deeds, they are unwilling to submit to the new birth which
acknowledges one's sinfulness and requires repentance – Acts 2:36-38

V 22-36 John the Baptist’s witness of Jesus. John’s ministry. Why was he necessary?

In His conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus reveals much about being born again...
 The necessity of the new birth (one cannot be a Christian unless "born again")
 The nature of the new birth (a birth involving both water and the Spirit, i.e., baptism)
 The evidence of the new birth (observable by its effects, i.e., the fruit of the Spirit)
 The basis of the new birth (Christ's sacrifice, God's love, man's faith)
 The rejection of the new birth (why many refuse to submit to it)

Remember the words of Jesus...

 Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe
will be condemned."
 John 3:7 "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'"

Suggest:
 Answer their questions first
 Go to SS 101 according to audience needs
 Memorize John 3:16-17 (Best known scripture in the Bible)