John Series Part 13 Revelation 4: The New Birth, John 3:1–15 Series

John Series Part 13 Revelation 4: The New Birth, John 3:1–15

(3:1–15) Introduction: the new birth, along with God’s great love (vv.16–17), is the most important revelation ever made in all of human history. Jesus revealed the new birth.

1. The setting: Nicodemus approached Jesus (vv.1–2).

2. The new birth: a necessity (v.3).

3. The new birth: a spiritual event (vv.4–8).

4. The new birth: a true experience (vv.9–11).

5. The new birth: rejected (vv.11–12).

6. The new birth: revealed only by Jesus (v.13).

7. The new birth: secured by two acts (vv.14–15).

(3:1–15) New Birth—Born Again—New Creation—Regeneration: a spiritual birth, a rebirth of one’s spirit, a new life, a renewed soul, a regenerated spirit. It is the regeneration and renewal of one’s spirit and behavior (2 Co. 5:17). It is the provision or infusion of a new life, of a godly nature (2 Pe. 1:4). The new birth is so radical a change in a person’s life that it can be spiritual birth, a birth beyond the grasp of man’s hands and efforts. It is so radical, so life-changing, and so wonderful that it can be wrought only by the love and power of God Himself.

The New Testament teaching on the new birth is rich and full.

1. The new birth is a necessity. A person will never see (Jn. 3:3) nor ever enter (Jn. 3:5) the Kingdom of God unless he is born again (Jn. 3:7).

2. The new birth is a spiritual birth, the birth of a new power and spirit in life. It is not reformation of the old nature (Ro. 6:6). It is the actual creation of a new birth within—spiritually (Jn. 3:5–6; see Jn. 1:12–13; 2 Co. 5:17; Ep. 2:10; 4:24). A person is spiritually born again:

a. By water, even the Spirit

b. By the will of God (Js. 1:18).

c. By incorruptible seed, even by the Word of God (1 Pe. 1:23).

d. By God from above (1 Pe. 1:3). The word again (ana) in the phrase “born again” also means above. (See Jn. 1:12–13.)

e. By Christ, who gives both the power and right to be born again (Jn. 1:12–13).

3. The new birth is a definite experience, a real experience. A person experiences the new birth:

a. By believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (1 Jn. 5:1; see Jn. 3:14–15).

b. By the gospel as it is shared by believers (1 Co. 4:15; Phm. 10).

c. By the Word of God (1 Pe. 1:23) or by the Word of Truth (Js. 1:18).

4. The new birth is a changed life, a totally new life. A person proves that he is born again:

a. By doing righteous acts (1 Jn. 2:29; see Ep. 2:10; 4:24).

b. By not practicing sin (1 Jn. 3:9; 5:18).

c. By loving other believers (1 Jn. 4:7).

d. By overcoming the world (1 Jn. 5:4).

e. By keeping himself (1 Jn. 5:18).

f. By possessing the divine seed or nature (1 Jn. 3:9; 1 Pe. 1:23; 2 Pe. 1:4; see Col. 1:27).

1 (3:1–2) Nicodemus: Nicodemus approached Jesus. Note these facts about Nicodemus.

a. He was a ruler (archon) of the Jews. This means he was a senator or a member of the Sanhedrin, the ruling body of the Jews

1) He was a Pharisee

2) He was the master of Israel (v.10, ho didaskalos); that is, he held some official position of the highest rank. He was either the leading official or the leading teacher of Israel who was either authorized or accepted as such by the public.

3) He apparently was wealthy. He spent a great deal of money on the burial of Jesus (Jn. 19:39).

4) He was silent at the trial of Jesus, saying nothing to defend Jesus, but he boldly stepped forth after the Lord’s death to publicly help in the burial of Jesus (Jn. 19:39–42).

b. He came in behalf of the religionists. He said, “We know.” Some of the religionists wondered if Jesus were the true Messiah, thinking that perhaps He was. Some eventually become believers (see Lu. 13:31; Acts 6:7; 15:5; 18:8, 17). Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah and performing the spectacular works that were prophesied of the Messiah; therefore, He was the talk of everyone throughout the nation. The rulers were questioning and wondering: Is He really the Messiah? (See notes—Mt. 21:8–9; 21:23.) This was the question, the thing that Nicodemus felt compelled to find out. Note that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. He apparently did this because he feared the other leaders who opposed Jesus. John seemed to be saying this at the burial of Jesus (see Jn. 19:39).

c. He acknowledged Jesus only as a teacher from God. He and others saw the miracles Jesus did, and they knew something: only a man from God could do such miracles.