Book Of John - Chapter 3 - Bible Study

Day 3 - Chapter 3

Highlights/Understanding	Chapter 3 – NASB Translation
Nicodemus is mentioned only in Book Of John Nicodemus comes at night. He witnesses Jesus at the temple and his miracles. He believes that Jesus is the Messiah, yet He is afraid of his fellow Jews and other Pharisees leaders.	3 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
Who are Pharisees? They are one of the 4 School of thought/4 Sects that divided the Jewish community at that time. They believe in meticulous adherence to their interpretation of the Torah. Paul was a Pharisees (as Saul) who witnessed the stoning of Stephen	3 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
BORN AGAIN/NEW BIRTH – Explained by Jesus. Why? Not everyone can understand / follow Jesus is the Son of GOD, in spite of their knowledge of Torah, Talmud and other holy scriptures.	3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
BORN AGAIN/NEW BIRTH – Explained by Jesus. What is born again? One has to leave his old ways and become like a child on the first day of his birth. Yes, like a child who has this whole life waiting for him/her.	4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
BORN AGAIN/NEW BIRTH – Explained by Jesus. When? It is not too late to be born again Or Start over in life.	3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
Born Again – Born of the Spirit is spirit Leaving the worldly/flesh pleasurable life to GODLY life of Grace, Faith, and Love. From Old spirt to New Spirit	5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter 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 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Born Again – Symbol/Signal/Witness – Like a wind, Born again process is not visible to natural eyes. It is a supernatural transformation by Holy Spirit.	5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter 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 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Pharisees had focused so much on strict laws, rituals and in well read knowledge of holy scriptures, that they are blinded to understand the supernatural works of GOD.	9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?
Hard to give witness to a person run by facts, stats, and rationals. They will view everything as a blind man.	11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
It's not disciples, It is JESUS who talks about the purpose of HIS visit	No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man [b]who 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 whoever believes in Him should [c]not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Why non-believers condemned already? Believers of Trinity GOD are chosen generation	18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Jesus is the Light. Remember verses from John Chapter 1:5-9 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.	19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
Light. Confessing to GOD and asking for repentance is bringing One’s deed to Light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.	19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
Water Baptism by Jesus, John the Baptist and Jesus’s disciples	22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. 24 For John had not yet been thrown into prison.
Who has the authority to Baptize? – Everyone called out by GOD	25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!”
John the Baptist – Testimony about Christ. John knows his calling to prepare the way for Messiah. He understands that Jesus Christ is the Messiah.	27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Remember: We all have authority to Baptize in HIS holy name	27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.
We are all called out like John the Baptist before the second coming of Christ	27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.
The gist of John the Baptist testimony	30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Belief and Life of Testimony for Jesus Christ	30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”