Page 30 - The Gospel of John - Student textbook

Study Section 5: The New Birth

5.1 Connect

When Nicodemus came to Jesus by night, Jesus told him, “You must be born again!” To Nicodemus,
this was a very difficult thing to hear. He had no idea what Jesus was talking about. To him, the idea
of entering your mother’s womb again to be reborn was an impossible task. He did not fully
understand that Jesus was talking about spiritual things, not physical rebirth.

What Jesus was trying to help Nicodemus understand was that saving faith is more than just an
assent to truth, but an embracing the truth with your whole being. Nicodemus had seen Jesus perform miracles
and because of them, assented to the fact that Jesus was a great teacher. But Nicodemus needed to understand
that Jesus was God, and that He was to become not just a great teacher, but a Savior. He asked Nicodemus to
place His whole faith in trusting Jesus. Like the people who had been bitten by snakes in the wilderness, they
had to look to the snake hanging on the pole to be healed of their disease. In the same way, looking to Jesus for
salvation is the only means of salvation for all mankind. Let’s see if we can further understand this wonderful
passage of Scripture in John 3.

5.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to explain what the “new birth” is that Jesus was talking about.

2. The student should be able to contrast the views of Calvin and Wesley about predestination and
election.

3. The student should be able to describe how a person receives saving faith.

5.3 The New Birth

John 3:1-36 (HCSB)
Clearly, and emphasis on abandoning self and submitting to him permeates Jesus evangelistic
approach, both in his public ministry and in his private conversations. John 3:1 – 10 recounts one of
those private interactions, a nighttime meeting with the prominent Pharisee, Nicodemus.
Throughout their conversation, Jesus refused to soften the truth simply to gain the approval of this
influential religious leader. Instead, he spoke with clarity and precision – confronting Nicodemus's
misconceptions and telling him exactly what he needed to hear. Christ's dialogue with Nicodemus can be
discussed under three headings: Nicodemus inquiry of Jesus, Jesus insight into Nicodemus, Jesus indictment of
Nicodemus.

The Inquiry

John 3:1-3 There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Him
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night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher, for no one could perform these
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signs You do unless God were with him.” Jesus replied, “I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God.”

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