John 3 

John 3 - Jesus Teaches Nicodemus

Joh 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: According to Rabbinical tradition, Nicodemus was one of the three richest men in Jerusalem. A member of the Sanhedrin, or National Council.  

Joh 3:2 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. Nicodemus came to Jesus one evening to speak with Him. He believed that Jesus was sent by God to teach the people because of the miracles that Jesus had performed. It appears that Nicodemus didn't want the public knowing what he was doing when he visited Jesus. However, Jesus was always open to people coming to ask Him questions.

Joh 3:3 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. Jesus replied, "Here is a truth, unless you are born again (born from above, i.e. Divine power), you cannot see the Kingdom of God." (John 1:51, James 1:17). All good and perfect things come from God.  

Joh 3:4 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? Nicodemus didn't understand what Jesus was saying. 

Joh 3:5 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. One cannot enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Born of the water through women at birth, and born of the Spirit (i.e. Holy Spirit), through the Word. Lets go a little deeper here and go to the two basic theories of being born again. The first theory taught by many churches is that a person has to be baptized (water baptism), to be saved. They will tell you that as soon as you accept Christ, you need to be baptized to be saved. However, Jesus promised the thief on the cross would be with Him in Paradise without physically baptizing him. (Luke 23:43, 2 Corinthians 5:8). When we leave these bodies, we are with the Father. (1 Corinthians15:46-48). The natural body comes first the spiritual comes later. Adam was made of dust, but Christ came from heaven. The second theory is that there are two births, one physical and one spiritual. Born of the water through your natural birth, and (born of the Spirit), through the washing of the Word. (Ephesians 5:26). Being born again (born from above), requires two births. For example: The fallen angels did not want to be born of woman, but rather came down to earth to seduce the daughters of Adam. (Read our newsletter "the fallen angels" for a better understanding).

Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. (The fundamental law, both in nature and grace). The spiritual birth has nothing to do with the outside flesh, but rather to the inside of you. It's what the "Holy Spirit" does for you. (It changes you from the inside out).

Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. Nicodemus must have been in awe here, as Jesus said; don't be surprised when I say, "You must be born again."

Joh 3:8 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. The wind blows wherever it wants. You can't tell where it comes from or where it is going. The same is with people who are born of the Spirit. This word "wind" here is "pneuma" Strong's #G4151 "the Holy Spirit." When a person becomes a believer and follows Christ, they are moved by the Holy Spirit, you can feel when the spirit is present

Joh 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? How can this be? Nicodemus still didn't understand. But, he should have.

Joh 3:10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Jesus replies, "You are a respected Jewish teacher, and you don't understand these things? It was written in the old testament, this new Spirit "the Holy Spirit" will fill the hearts of many. (Jeremiah 31:33, 32:39, Ezekiel 11:19, 18:31, 36:25-27, Psalm 51:10). Just like many priests, preachers, and teachers today; it's like the blind leading the blind. (Matthew 15:14). Don't be misled by false preachers.

Joh 3:11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. Speaking of the teachers of Israel. It was right in front of them as a testimony. (i.e. Christ knows what He is talking about). What greater authority could you have about Heaven than Christ? "He lived there."

Joh 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? You won't even believe Me about earthly things, so how can you possibly believe Me when I speak of Heavenly things. Earthly things: (1 Corinthians 15:40, Colossians 3:2, 2 Corinthians 5:1). Heavenly things: (Ephesians 1:3, 20, Ephesians 2:6, 3:10, Ephesians 6:12, Philippians 2:10). Heavenly things being of the unseen world. In this end times, we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers of the unseen world. Mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world. We fight against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world.

Joh 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. No one has ever gone up to heaven and returned. But, the Son of Man (who lives in heaven), has come down from heaven. In other words, Christ was not "taken up by God," as Enoch and Elijah, but Christ has "gone up," on His own when the Evangelist wrote these words. He ascended to heaven as written in: (Romans 10:6, Ephesians 4:10).  

Joh 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: As Moses lifted up the bronze snake on the pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up. (Numbers 21:7-9, Luke 24:26, 46, Acts 3:18, 17:3, Hebrews 2:9-10).

Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. Everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. (1 John 5:1, 1 John 5:11-13). If you believe that Christ is the Son of God (born from above), then you are a child of God. When you love Christ you love the Father. "Its your choice." Eternal life through Christ, or death through Satan. Yes, the devil holds the power of death. (Hebrews 2:14). But, Satan's power was broken by the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Stay in Christ and you never need to fear death.

Joh 3:16 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. This verse needs no interpretation. No doubt, one of the most important scriptures written in the bible. However, the key here is "believe in Him." To Me, you must get to know someone before you can believe in them. You get to know Christ through the Word. "His written personality if you will."

Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Jesus was sent into the world by the Heavenly Father to save the world, not to judge the world. (Matthew 1:23, Matthew 18:11, Luke 19:10, 1 Timothy 2:5-6, 1 John 2:2). Christ is the atoning sacrifice that paid the price on the cross for our sins. All our sins and for the sins of the world. But, this is only for our sins of the past, not our future sins. Again, we will always mess up at times and we must repent for our sins on a regular basis. (Your Heavenly Father is always there to forgive you).

Joh 3:18 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. No judgment against one who believes in Him. But anyone who does not believe in Him has already been judged for not believing in God's only begotten Son. (1 John 5:10, 1 John 5:12). You either believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, or you don't. If you don't, you are calling God a liar. Jesus Christ is written of in the Old Testament and spoken of by the prophets. The crucifixion written by the prophets 1,000 years before it took place. Again, it's your choice. Life through Christ, or death through Satan.

Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. Here's the facts about judgment: God's light (Jesus), came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, because their actions were evil. It's so easy in this world today to follow the majority and the ways of the world. (Romans 2:8, 1 Peter 2:8). God will pour out His wrath on those who live for themselves and refuse to obey the truth in the Word. Those who choose to live lives of wickedness and follow evil ways of the world. (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12). If you want to be ignorant of God's Word and follow lies, deception, and traditions of men; God will send you strong delusion to believe those lies. He will close your eyes to the truth. (Isaiah 29:10). Look at how people are so comfortable with their teachings. Comfortable with their spirit of slumber. (The Word can even become their stumbling block). When they play church and follow traditions of men they will not understand the truth of God's Word. (Christ can become a stumbling block to them). How can Christ become a stumbling block? Remember that the antichrist comes first and will deceive many into believing he is the real Christ. (He will be the stumbling block to those who follow him). God will also let you be deceived and believe a lie if you do not follow the truth of the Word. (2 Thessalonians 2:5-11). 

Joh 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it because they fear that their sins will be exposed. (Ephesians 5:12-13). To speak of the pleasures of darkness which the ungodly do. However, when exposed, the light shines in upon their sin and shows up. (i.e. they will see how wrong they really are).

Joh 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Those who do right always come to the light, so others can see that they are doing what God wants them to do.  (3 John 1:11). Don't let the bad examples influence you. If you are doing what is right, it is of God. (If they are doing evil they are not of God). That's just the way it is. False teachings are evil, traditions of men are evil. God's Word is good.

Joh 3:22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. Jesus and His disciples left Jerusalem and went into the Judean countryside baptizing people.

Joh 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. At the same time, John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon (place of springs), because there was plenty of water there.

Joh 3:24 For John was not yet cast into prison. This was before John was thrown into prison.

Joh 3:25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. A debate between John's disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing. (Probably over the meaning of baptism). The Jews had their own rituals for cleaning hands and for immersion when a Gentile became a Jew. John was baptizing Jews and they probably did not like that.

Joh 3:26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. John's disciples asked him about the one he had identified as the Messiah who was baptizing on the other side of the Jordan river. They were concerned about everyone going to Him instead of coming to them to be baptized.

Joh 3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. John replied, "No one can receive anything unless God gives it to them from heaven." John realized that what he was doing was a gift from God. (James 1:17, 1 Peter 4:10-11). God gives everyone certain spiritual gifts, and we should use them to serve others. If you have the gift of speaking, speak as if God were speaking through you. If you have the gift of helping others, do it with the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring Glory to God through Jesus Christ; all the Glory and power to Him forever and ever. (Jesus had the crowds of people because that is what the Heavenly Father had given Him).

Joh 3:28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. You know that I have told you that I am not the Messiah, but I am only here to prepare the way before Him. It was written in the old testament: (Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1).

Joh 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. John gives the example of the wedding ceremony. It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man has a very important part of the ceremony, glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Just like the best man, John was filled with joy at the success of Jesus because he was part of the equation.

Joh 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. John realized that he was loosing some of the attention to the Messiah, but it did not bother Him. He knew it was for the benefit of others and part of the plan of God. (We need to realize that there will be times when people move up to our teachings, but also may move up to another's teachings because that is where God has led them). In other words: we can't always be the center of attention when teaching God's Word. Others may have good things to say and teach about the Word. (This is a problem for many priests and pastors).

Joh 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. We are only earthly and speak of earthly things. He (the Messiah), has come form above and is greater than anyone else. (John the Baptist knew that Jesus was in a whole different class than he was, being from above).

Joh 3:32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. He testifies about what He has seen and heard, but how few believe what He has to say. (John 1:11).

Joh 3:33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. Anyone who accepts His testimony can confirm that God is true.

Joh 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. He (the Messiah), is sent by God and He speaks God's Words. God has given Him the Spirit (Holy Spirit), without limit. (i.e. the greatest power of the Spirit). "If we were talking star wars here, He would have the ultimate power of the force." He spoke God's Words and had the power of God, because He was God. (Emmanuel, God with us).

Joh 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. The Heavenly Father loves His Son and has put everything in His hands. (1 Corinthians 15:27, Ephesians 1:22, Philippians 2:9-11, Hebrews 1:2, Hebrews 2:8-9, 1 Peter 3:22). 

Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Anyone who believes in God's Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn't believe and obey the Son, will never experience eternal life. (They remain under God's judgment). (Matthew 3:7, Luke 3:7, 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16). Speaking of a generation of vipers. (Those always trying to kill Jesus and disrupt God's plan). More specifically, "the Kenites." The wrath will come upon them in the end. If you are not familiar with the kenites, read our newsletter titled: Sons of Cain.

Keep the faith,
Barton

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