John, Chapter 4 (Woman at the well)

You can read and cross-reference John, Chapter 4.  I believe it’s important to look at some background information that may help to understand the events of Chapter 4 in their proper context.

Palestine at the time was divided into 3 sections: Judea in the South, Galilee in the North, and Samaria in between. North to South, the entire area ran only 100 to 120 miles. During the time of the Assyrian captivity, Jews were taken to Assyria and other races were brought in to replace them. These people intermarried with the Jews that remained in Samaria, creating a mixed breed of people that were detested by the Jews of Judea and Galilee. The Samaritans only recognized the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament also known as the Torah) as their inspired Scripture. They had set up worship on Mt. Gerazim.   The Jews had worship in the Temple at Jerusalem.

Since the Jews wanted nothing to do with Samaritans, when traveling from Judea to Galilee they would take the much longer route around Samaria.  This required traveling along the coast or through Perea, rather than through it (a difference of 3 or 4 days travel). It would be like leaving Texas on your way to Kansas and going around Oklahoma. Jesus, however, went straight through the heart of Samaria, and in so doing, provided us with a model for how to carry out the Great Commission.

Jesus went to where the people who needed his message were. Jesus “needed to go through Samaria”. He would save a great deal of time going through Samaria to get to Galilee. But, when the emphasis on “needed” is seen in relation to Jesus’ overall mission (“the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” Luke 19:10) and specifically what happened at the well.  I think we see that the need for Jesus to go through Samaria had much more to do with the souls of the people of Sychar than with quick travel.

For us, I think the lesson is simply that we need to be on the lookout for opportunities to share the gospel, and that means getting out into the world. We may not get the lost to come into our specific church, even if we invite them; if not, our mission is to go out there and meet them where they are.

Jesus met people where they were. Jesus met this woman at the exact time and place that she would be most receptive. The time was important enough that John recorded it for us. She would never have entered a synagogue or the courts of the Temple to hear Him teach. We need to realize that most of the time, if people are going to come to know Christ, they are not simply going to wander into our churches: we have to go out and get them.

This also means meeting people where they are spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Here is an example of meeting people where they are.  This pastor had a heart for the lost, and as a result, many of the “flower children” in the area began attending his church. About this time new carpet was installed in the foyer and sanctuary.  It was thick, beautiful, and baby blue. One evening the deacons complained that these street kids were coming in with sandals, or no shoes at all, and tracking dirt on the new carpet, and something must be done about it. The pastor left, and when he had not returned for some time, the deacons went to look for him. They found him on his hands and knees, ripping up the new carpet. He looked up at them and said: “We do not need this carpet, but we MUST have those kids.”

It seems that sometimes we don’t take the phrase “come just as you are” as literally as we should. Jesus met this woman where she was, and He accepted her as she was, but He loved her too much to leave her as she was.

He had a sense of urgency. We need to go now. Jesus tells the disciples “Do you not say, ‘there are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! (John 4:35)”. We have a tendency to look at evangelism as something we’ll do later, when we’re more equipped, or when the time is more appropriate. This is something that I think is happening to many people and churches all over America right now. Everyone is preparing for some large outreach program or event that will happen in the future, and certainly we should be doing this. But while some look ahead several months to what they expect will be a great harvest, how many people are ready to hear the Good News right now? And how many of them will never hear because we waited to tell them and missed the opportunity?

Now I would like to compare the response of the woman at the well with the actions of the disciples. Each had spent time with Jesus, although the woman’s time was far, far shorter, and each had a very different response to His message. The disciples had been in the city buying food during the time that Jesus had the conversation with the woman, and they returned at the end of the encounter. It was obvious that they had succeeded in bringing food back to Jesus; it was equally obvious that they failed in the far greater mission of bringing lost souls to Him. They had been in the city of Sychar, walking through the shops and mingling with the people, and yet the twelve of them did not bring a single person to meet Jesus.

There are several possible reasons for this failure:

a. They were so preoccupied with their own needs they did not think of the needs of others. Preoccupation is a great danger for us as well. We can become so wrapped up in work, school, family, soccer games, etc. that we don’t leave room for eternal things. We can focus on our own needs and wants so much that we forget about the needs of others. We can become so consumed with the physical that we too forget the spiritual.

b. As faithful Jews, the disciples had an almost inbred hatred of Samaritans. It may have never occurred to them that God could love these people or that the Samaritans might long to know God. The Samaritans were not their kind of people. They were of a different race, a different religion, and a different culture. Because of their prejudice, the disciples essentially saw the Samaritans as inferior, and therefore missed the fact that they too needed a relationship with Christ. We do the same thing today. The only truly segregated institution left in America today is the Church. We overlook (intentionally or not) many of those who are different from us, from the homeless to the Muslims to the kid with more body piercings than teeth. But when Jesus tells us to go to the entire world, He means everyone.

c. They were so concerned with doing work for Jesus (buying bread) that they forgot to be about the work of Jesus. They missed the individuals they came into contact with and the needs of these individuals because they were “on a mission” to get bread.  We too can become so caught up in committees and programs and church functions that we forget why Christ left us here after He saved us.  We need to be about His work. And this work always involves leading individuals to Christ. Even the huge numbers that are saved at large Crusades are in reality saved as a bunch of individuals.

The woman has a response that is completely different than that of the disciples. In contrast to their indifference, she can hardly wait to run back to the city to tell everyone who will listen about Jesus. She is acting on Romans 10:14-15 years before it’s even written:

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

We need to remember that this woman was a virtual outcast even among the Samaritans. She came to the well in the middle of the day because it was a time when no one else would be there. Her reputation was certainly not pristine. And yet she ignored the possibility of rejection and ridicule in order to tell these people about Jesus. And they came on the strength of her testimony. She told them, and the Holy Spirit did the rest. And unlike the disciples, who were basically chastised by Jesus for not recognizing that the harvest was at hand, she was able to see fruit from her testimony.

“Then they said to the woman, ‘Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world’.”

This is not unusual even today. Many times it is the new believer that is most effective in the work of evangelism. They may not know all the verses or all the answers to objections, but they are on fire to do one thing: tell people what Jesus has done in their life. That’s exactly what we are called to do every day. Even though the disciples, like many of us, missed out on an opportunity that was right in front of them, Jesus gives them, and us, assurance of blessings when we are obedient to the Great Commission.

“And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”

Contained within these verses are the promise of three distinct blessings:

a. The promise of reward (“wages”) for doing the work of evangelism

b. Fruit that brings eternal rejoicing

c. The joy of sharing this task with other believers

Who do you most identify with? Is it the woman, who ran off without fear to tell others about Christ? Or is it the disciples, who missed numerous opportunities but are given the chance to do better? Whichever more fits you, you cannot rest on your past accomplishments or lament your past failures. The harvest is now, and the Lord needs laborers. (John 4:36-38) (John 4:42)

Faith Healing

We all suffer pain.  Many of us may be in agonizing pain.  As a child of God, we go before our Pastor (or other titles such as Reverend, Father, Minister, etc) and request to be prayed for.  I have seen miracles all my life and I see them happening now.  But when a pastor makes a comment such as “you must have the faith to be healed”.  I or we can pray for you in faith, but you must accept in faith.  This, in my opinion, is very misleading.  Regardless of that individual’s faith, he may or may not be healed while upon the face of the Earth.  We can rest assured when Jesus Christ comes back, those who have accepted him as Lord and Savior will have a new glorified body.  Amen!!

Throughout the Bible healing and resurrection occurred.

The reason I say this is misleading is because although God has the power to heal instantly, he may decide not too for whatever reason.  As a new Christian or maybe even an old Christian, I am basically being told I do not have sufficient faith to be healed.  Just imagine for a moment, if you will, everyone who has ever lived since the beginning of time, received healing.  How many people would be upon the face of Earth now?   And, I just wonder, what Moses, Job, John The Baptist, and many others throughout our bible would have to say!  I am not saying stop praying for the sick.  We must have the faith in KNOWING that God has the power and the authority to heal us.  But don’t lose faith nor doubt your faith if he doesn’t heal you.

Faith Healing – The Need
When people are faced with a serious or debilitating illness, they often consider supernatural healing or faith healing as the final option. Our expectations for divine healing are often placed in a variety of sources, which present themselves as the only hope for a miraculous recovery. Some individuals will pursue the avenue of faith healers or those professing to have an “ability to heal.” Objects such as handkerchiefs, religious icons, or pilgrimages to holy sites are said to offer hope to those in desperate circumstances.

When faced with intense suffering, we may even be tempted to doubt the character of God. “Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable? Will you be to me like a deceptive brook, like a spring that fails?” (Jeremiah 15:18).

Others try to encourage us by confirming that “all things work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28). Yet our suffering presents our greatest challenge to our faith. At some point we may even blame God for allowing our pain to continue. Or we may ask ourselves, “How much more faith do I need to be healed?”

Faith Healing – The Lesson – Jesus loves reaching out to people. He is well acquainted with pain and suffering. “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn [God’s] decrees” (Psalm 119:71).

Faith Healing – The End Result
Healing is an act of unmerited mercy from a sovereign God. We do not put faith in faith itself (or men or objects), but rather in the grace and mercy of Jahveh-Ropheka, “God the Healer.” There is no doubt that Jesus cares deeply for us — He suffered and died so that we could live forever in God’s love. His healing doesn’t follow a process that would seem logical to us. Jesus healed blind eyes by applying mud, made from “divine spittle” (John 9:6–7)! Jesus was often unconventional, raising a dead widow’s son out of compassion, not because of her faith (Luke 7:13). Faith is not something we need to “conjure up” in order to be healed. God is ultimately in control of healing. Whatever the outcome, God is always with those who suffer and He understands their every pain and need. The cross reminds us that God always cares. God is offering us a wholeness that is even more perfect than physical or emotional healing. Perfect health is waiting for us in the resurrection. “Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:16–17).

In my opinion, the FAITH is knowing that I know that I know that God Has the power to heal instantly.  It is not by lack of faith that I am not healed.

What? Jesus? Eternal Life?

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Let’s talk about something very special and unique. That is YOU and YOUR eternal salvation. The following may be a little long, but it isn’t going to last an eternity. However, whatever decision YOU make about YOUR life will last for an eternity. YOU may choose eternal life or eternal damnation. Only YOU can make that choice.

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The time of having to offer a sacrifice was over. No longer did lambs have to be slaughtered. God has sent His only begotten Son as the purest of sacrifices.

The Law (OT) was now over. It had prepared the way for the new (NT). There is no doubt that God’s purpose in the birth of Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, contains Jesus’ planned death. Jesus came to die. Jesus was born as an infant so that he could be the perfect sacrifice for all the sins of the world. He had to be born of a virgin birth as not to inherit man’s sin.

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We live in a prideful and sinful world. It’s full of greed, hate, segregation, racism, demonic forces, and so much more evil. The church (body of Christ) has dissension with-in the church. Walls have been built between different denominations because of by-laws (man-made rules). There are so many sinners’ indulging in every imaginable aspect of sin. It’s time for sinners, lukewarm Christians, and those that have turned their backs on God to change. It’s time for revival in the Church and awakening of “God consciousness” in our nation!….

The world was once destroyed by flood. God has promised this time he would destroy the world by fire (Genesis 6-9, 2 Peter 3:7-13).

One day an Angel will place one foot on the sea and the other on dry land and lifting his hand to
Heaven, swear by Him that lives forever and ever, that “Time shall be no more”! (Revelation 10:5-6)..

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described in Rev 6:1-8…

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Rev 6:1-8) I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.

When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.

When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!”

When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

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One day, each of us will stand before God Almighty, and be held accountable for everything we ever did or failed to do! There will be no respecter of persons.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT SIN AND SINNERS..

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*God is holy and righteous (Rom. 1:17)*Man is sinful and his heart is evil (Gen. 6:5; 13:13; Jer. 17:9).

*All people know that God exists (Rom. 1:21)

*All people have sinned (Rom. 3:23a)

*All people are guilty before God (Rom. 1:18-3:8)

*Judgment is self-induced (Rom. 1:18-23)

*Sin dishonors God and contradicts His Holy character (Rom. 1:17)

*God will judge every person, Jew and Gentile (Rom. 2:5; 2:12-16)

*God never forgives any sin without full payment of the penalty for that sin (Rom. 3:25)

*Propitiation is the only saving solution to the fact of God’s wrath against sin. Propitiation is the appeasement of divine wrath by a sacrificial offering. Sending Christ to die for our sins was God’s amazing solution to the problem of how He could remain just (punish all sin) and still justify us (declare us perfectly righteous in His sight) (Is. 53:4, 5, 10, 11; Rom. 3:25)

*The gospel of salvation is a free gift that cannot be earned (Rom. 1:16, 17; 3:20, 23, 24, 28, 30; 4:5: 6:23)

*Saving faith can only come through hearing and believing the Bible’s message about Christ (Rom. 1:16; 10:14-17)

*Justified means to be declared righteous in God’s sight (Rom. 3:24)

*God imputes (imparts) righteousness to those who believe (Rom. 4:3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 22, 23, 24)

*Believers, who have been freely forgiven of sins because of Christ’s work, will be given degrees of reward in heaven. This is according to their actions in this life; heaven is the eternal home of born-again believers (Rom. 3:21-26; Mth. 16:27; 25:31-46; John 5:29; Rom. 14:10-12; 1 Cor. 3:10-15; 2 Cor. 5:9, 10; Rev. 7:15-17)

*Those who reject Christ will be judged for their sins. The consequences of willful disobedience are horrible indeed. The Bible speaks of an endless, conscious torment in hell (Rom. 2:6; Rev. 20:10, 15)

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Where is your heart? Are you living for Jesus? Are you ready should Jesus return NOW?

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Jesus came as an infant so we would know that he feels everything we have felt. Every pain we have ever felt, he also has felt. In Hebrews 4:15 it says, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” God wants us to know that he hurts as much as we do at the suffering of the innocent. Every time there is a tragic loss, God hurts. He came as an infant so we could know he feels every pain we have felt. Also, we must remember that God uses adversity to help us find our destiny. All through the Bible, people were led to their destiny through a loss or a tragic event in their lives.

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Although Jesus done many things during his ministry, such as healing the sick, casting out demons, and raising the dead, he promised we would do even greater things just by believing in him. All of this leads to the fact that Jesus was born with one primary purpose:

To Call Sinners to Repentance (Luke 5:27-32)..

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From Jesus’ Birth to adult-hood, HE LED A SINLESS LIFE AND, YET WAS HUNG ON THE CROSS. THIS WAS NECESSARY TO PREPARE THE WAY FOR US TO HAVE A HOME IN HEAVEN

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HE WENT THROUGH TORTURE, PAIN, AND SUFFERING BEYOND IMAGINATION. THAT IS HOW MUCH GOD LOVES US. THE PUNISHMENT AND CRUELTY HE ENDURED WAS BECAUSE HE TOOK THE SINS OF THE WORLD UPON HIMSELF. HE
NOW SITS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER INTERCEDING FOR US. PRAISE GOD!

TO CREATE US IN HIS IMAGE, AND THEN, TO GIVE UP HIS ONLY SON AS AN OFFERING BECAUSE OF OUR SINS. WHAT A GREAT GOD!

JESUS PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE TO OFFER US SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE. WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS BELIEVE IN JESUS AS THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD, BELIEVE IN HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION, ASK GOD TO FORGIVE US OF OUR SINS, AND ACCEPT JESUS AS OUR PERSONAL LORD AND SAVIOR. WE MUST ADMIT WE ARE SINNERS AND ASK GOD TO TAKE AWAY OUR SINS, FILL OUR HEARTS WITH LOVE, AND LIVE FOR HIM THROUGH CHRIST JESUS. CHRISTIAN MEANS CHRIST LIKE. EACH AND EVERY DAY WE MUST STRIVE TO BE MORE LIKE HIM. YES, WE WILL FAIL! YES, SATAN WILL ATTACK US AND PLACE DOUBTS IN OUR MINDS! YES, SATAN WILL SEND TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS! BUT, THE GOD WE SERVE WHEN THINGS ARE GOING GREAT, IS THE SAME GOD WHEN WE ARE IN THE VALLEY.

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HE AROSE FROM THE DEAD AFTER THREE DAYS AND LATER ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR US.

JESUS NOW WATCHES OVER THE HEAVENLY FATHER’S CHILDREN. JESUS BRINGS US HOPE, CHARITY, AND FAITH, THE GREATEST OF THESE BEING CHARITY (LOVE). HE GIVES US PEACE, A LOVING HEART, AND A CHILD LIKE FAITH. WHEN JESUS COMES BACK, IT WILL BE TO GATHER GOD’S CHILDREN.

WILL YOU BE ONE OF THE CHOSEN OR WILL YOU BE LEFT BEHIND? Your good looks, your deeds, your riches will not get you into Heaven. The only way is to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior.

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RECEIVING SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE IS SIMPLE. WALKING THE WALK IS THE DIFFICULT PART!..

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned..Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. Who so ever believes in him SHALL NOT perish but have EVERLASTING life.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Jesus loves you and me. He stands with his arms wide open to take us into his loving embrace.

No one can serve two Masters. If you do not serve God, then you serve Satan. God will not accept one if you are lukewarm. The scriptures tell us he will spew us out.

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God came as a mortal man into this world. Jesus was a child born to a poor carpenter. But when he returns, he will return swiftly and mightily with the keys to Hades and Heaven. He will return King Of kings and Lord Of lords. He will be The Lion Of Juda.

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Punishment in Hell..What are some of the things one can expect according to the Bible?

Smoke of their torment, no rest day and night, weeping and gnashing of teeth, Torment day and night without end,
Their worm doesn’t die, and total separation from God.

What are some of the things that can send one To Hell?
Idolatry, adultery, prostitution,
Theft, impurity, witchcraft, dissentions, orgies, unbelief, sorcery, sexual immorality, homosexual offenses, abomination, and murder. The unforgivable sin is Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit…

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We will all die. A physical death is something none of us can escape from. But, God has given us free will as to which we will serve. We can serve Him or Satan. God offers eternal life. Satan offers eternal damnation.

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Those who refuse to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior will be condemned to the pits of Hell for eternity.

The angel Michael and his army defeated Satan and kicked him from Heaven. One Third of the angels were also removed from Heaven and became Demons. (Rev. 12:4-9).. What looks good may not be good. Demons can appear as angels.

Satan was cast out of heaven after Adam and Eve were created, because God said the Creation was still “very good” on day 6 after man had been created.

Revelation 12:4-9 (King James Version) “And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

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And she brought forth a man-child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

And there was war in Heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world. The devil was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

Lucifer became Satan, and the fallen angels became Demons. Many ask, “Why didn’t God just destroy Satan?” The answer is, Sin had entered the world, and into the very nature of man through Adams transgression, then for God to destroy Satan, he would also have had to destroy the man he loved. But God had a better way. He had a way of Redemption.

And Christ the Redeemer was on His way!

Hell was not made for man. Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels. But those who do not receive Christ as their Lord and Savior will be sent to Hell, and have their part in the lake of fire.

Satan is “the god of this world” he ” has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the Gospel of the Glory of Christ” ( 2 Corinthians 4;4)

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Be as a roaring lion toward Satan when he attempts to tempt you or treat you like a pawn on a chessboard. However, be meek and mild as a lamb before God.

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When Jesus returns, every knee shall bow before Him. From the weakest to the most powerful, from the poorest to the richest, Kings, Presidents, and Emperors will voice and admit the true fact that He is LORD!!!!And He is coming soon!!

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Billions of Bibles have been published and distributed around the world. Millions of people regard it as the inspired Word of God. It’s been one of history’s most influential books.

Others believe it makes for nice reading similar to a novel. Regardless, the Bible is the top seller of all books and yet, the least read.

The bottom line is, I can not make you believe. All I can do is to perform my Great Commission. That is to spread God’s Word every place I go.

Just remember!

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Whenever I stumble or see only one set of footprints, that is because Jesus has lifted me up and carrying me!..

Like most guys, there are many times that I should not have it out of a situation alive. But. my God, my heavenly Father, had his hands upon me. Over 68,000 soldiers were killed in Vietnam. I was one of the few, one of the blessed that made it back alive. Glory be to God

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John – Chapter 3

To have a through understanding of John, Chapter 3, we must clearly understand the last two or possibly three verses of John, Chapter 2. I will list the last three verses”

Verse 23 – Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed on his name, beholding the signs which he did.

Verse 24 – But Jesus did not trust himself unto them, for that he knew all men.

Verse 25 – And because he needed not that any should bear witness concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.

The group had faith in Jesus because of the miracles they had seen or heard about. But they did not have the life-saving faith of accepting him as the Lord and Savior or the Baptism of being born again and all things becoming new. They saw him as the leader of a mighty army that has come to set them free from Roman Rule instead of the Son of God that has come to offer eternal life. Jesus, knowing men’s hearts, knew the ones that was giving him glory and honor now would soon be denouncing his name, scorning him, and yelling, “Crucify Him, King Of The Jews”.

Now while in Jerusalem, at Passover, a man named Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a member of the ruling council came to Jesus during the darkness of the night. When Nicodemus truly believed that Jesus was the Son Of God, he spoke and acted boldly for the Messiah. He knew the Kingdom of God was going to for everyone and not just the Jews. He knew the Kingdom was going to be restored on earth and God would rule it. Nicodemus also knew he had to be born again!

Jesus spoke of being born of water and baptism. Verse 3 and Verse 5 are exactly parallel. Jesus is restating His point so Nicodemus can understand what He meant the first time. The restatement shows that “born again” means, “born of water and the Spirit.” Verse 5 is not describing two different births, as many people claim. It is describing further the new birth, stating that the new birth involves two elements: water and Spirit.

Other important passages regarding the new birth help us understand this one. One can only be born again by obeying the gospel: 1 Peter 1:22-25. Hearing and believing gives one the right to become a child of God, but does not automatically make one a child of God: John 1:12. To be born again, one must come into Christ : 2 Cor. 5:17. To come into Christ and thereby become a child of God, one who believes must be baptized : Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27 (see also Mark 16:15,16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).

“Born of the water” must refer to water baptism. Reason being: (1) Baptism is the only command in the New Testament that requires the use of water (Acts 8:35-39; 10:47; John 3:23; Heb. 10:22; etc.). (2) Many other passages, already cited, show that water baptism is essential to forgiveness. (3) Further, other passages, already cited, show specifically that water baptism is an essential element of the new birth. (4) We will also notice later several verses that tie baptism to hearing the gospel like John 3:5 does.
Some people claim the water of John 3:5 refers to the physical birth (the “water” surround-ing the baby in the mother’s womb). However, (1) the parallel to v3 (above) shows that v5 is not talking about two separate births nor about physical birth at all. It is explaining two elements involved in one birth, the new birth. (2) “Water” is nowhere in the New Testament used to refer to physical birth. (3) V6 refers to physical birth as born of the “flesh.” If physical birth is meant in v5, why say “water” in v5 and then say “flesh” in v6? Why not use the same term both times if He meant the same thing?
(4) Physical birth is mentioned in John 3; but it was brought up, not by Jesus, but by Nicodemus as a result of his confusion and misunderstanding (v4). Jesus restated the truth about the new birth (v5), then He contrasted the physical birth to the new in v6. But He never included physical birth, along with the new birth, as something essential to enter the kingdom in v5. He discussed physical birth only to correct the confusion Nicodemus had introduced.
So Jesus here emphatically stated that baptism is essential to enter the kingdom of God. No one can be born again without it. When people seek to deny that Jesus ever taught the necessity of baptism to salvation, they need to consider carefully this passage along with Mark 16:16 and the other passages cited above.

The Holy Spirit revealed the message of the gospel, which one must learn and believe in or-der to be forgiven. The word is the “seed” by which one is born again (1 Peter 1:23; etc.). The word is the “sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17). It is the tool or means used by the Spirit to accomplish His word in conversion (2 Peter 1:21; Eph. 3:3-5; John 14:26; 16:13; 1 Cor.
2:10-13; etc.).

“Born of the spirit” must refer to receiving the Holy Ghost. Scripture specifically states 9 gifts from the Holy Spirit: (Galatians 5:22)

* Love
* Joy
* Peace
* Longsuffering
* Kindness
* Goodness
* Faithfulness
* Gentleness
*Self-control

A manifestation of the Holy Spirit is the gift of speaking in a heaven language called “tongues’. Many denominations do not practice this. However, the Pentecostal do.

After the meeting with Nicodemus, Jesus went about baptizing like his cousin, John The Baptist.  For those who seek God’s face and accepts His son Jesus, eteranl life will be given.  For those who reject the Son of God, will face eternal damnation.

In closing, I would like to leave you with this thought: Mark Twain once said, “It is not what I don’t know about the Bible that troubles me, it is what I do know!” He was not doing what he knew. This is the real problem. Most people know what is right but they do not do what is right. The reason they do not do what is right is because there is something wrong about who they are. That is true of us all.

God Bless you and Merry Christmas

Pastor Rocky