Quiet Earth Fellowservants of Christ

The New Birth; John's Last Testimont.

I. Text

John 3

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. 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? 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. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 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. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 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. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 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.

After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. 23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. 24 For John was not yet cast into prison. 25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. 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. 27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 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. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 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. 32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. 33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. 34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 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.

II. Discussion Questions

128. Name at least 5 things about Nicodemus. (v.1)

129. Why did Nicodemus come to Jesus by night? (v.2)

130. What do water and the Spirit have to do with being born from above? (v.5)

131. How does Ezekiel 36:25-27 relate to verse 5?

132. How does Ephesians 5:26 relate to verse 5?

133. What is the "kingdom"? (v.5)

134. Has the kingdom come? If so, when? (v.5)

135. Compare Matthew 19:24 to John 3:5 and comment.

136. According to the Greek in verse 7 did Jesus say one must be "born again" or "born from above"?

137. How does one become saved?

138. Give at least 5 New Testament verses that speak of the new birth (salvation).

139. How does wind illustrate the birth of the Spirit? (v.8)

140. Why should Nicodemus have known about the subject of regeneration? Why does this say to the subject of the qualifications of a spiritual instructor?

141. Give three Old Testament references that speak on being born from above.

142. Who are the "we" in verse 11?

143. What are "earthly things" and "heavenly things"? (v.12)

144. Why the comparison with the serpent in the wilderness? (v.14)

145. Cite the Old Testament chapter and verses where the incident in John 3:14 is found.

146. Explain how 1 John 5:11-13 directly relates to verse 15.

147. What does 1 Corinthians 13:5 teach about love? (v.16)

148. Give at least 3 Old Testament verses that speak of God's love. (v.16)

149. What does the word "perish" mean in verse 16?

150. What was the main purpose for Christ coming in the flesh? (v.16)

151. How does Luke 19:10 relate to John 3:17?

152. Does Jesus place mankind into two categories in verse 18? If so, what are they?

153. Why do some love darkness? Are they wicked? What does Psalm 58 teach?

154. Is the unbeliever judged already? (v.18)

155. Define the word "evil". (v.19)

156. Discuss the importance of doing good as opposed to evil. (vv.19--21)

157. Discuss how John 8:12 relates to verse 19.

158. Why does the doer of truth come to light? (v.21)

159. Discuss how the deeds of a true child of God reflect the fragrance of Christ in their life. (v.21)

160. What is the main subject John 3:1-22?
a. Nicodemus
b. Peter
c. The New Birth
d. The Pharisees

161. Where did Jesus go with His disciples to baptize? (v.22)

162. At this point, does it appear that Jesus' popularity is rising? (v.22)

163. Did Jesus actually baptize anyone? (v.22,26). Read John 4:2 and Explain. Could He have been baptizing at one point in time and then ceased? Harmonize.

164. Name at least 3 differences between John's baptism and New Testament water baptism. (v.23)

165. Where is Aenon? (v.23)

166. Harmonize John 3:24 and Matthew 4:12.

167. Cite at least two scripture where we read the account of John being put in prison. (v.24)

168. Why the discussion on purifying? (v.25)

169. Show how wonderfully John 3:27 relates to 1 Corinthians 4:7 and James 1:17.

170. Explain John's parable in verse 29.

171. What was the joy of John in verse 29?

172. Show how verse 29 relates to Philippians 2:2

. 173. Who is "He that cometh from above" and "he that is of the earth"? (v.31)

174. What great fact about Jesus and himself does John point out to his disciples? (v.31)

175. How do Matthew 28:18 and 1 Corinthians 15:47 help us understand John 3:31?

176. What has Jesus seen and heard that He bears witness to? (v.32)

177. How does one "set to his seal that God is true"? (v.33)

178. What is the meaning of "God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him"? (v.34)

179. Show how Luke 4:18,19 expound upon John 3:34.

180. What is the importance of the word "believeth"? (v.36) Does it mean more than to simply acknowledge?

181. Show and discuss how Acts 14:2 and Hebrews 3:18 relate to John 3:36.

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