BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com
BIBLE STUDY LESSON
For
the week beginning Sunday January 5, 2014
____________________________________________________________
SALVATION
OFFERED
(Being
born again)
John
3:1-21
Nicodemus was a member of the “Sanhedrin”,
the ruling council, or, governing body of religion and state under Rome.
He was a Pharisee who had zealous dedication to GOD’s Law. He was also “a
teacher of Israel” and held the distinctive position of being an
authoritative interpreter of Scripture.
Here in John chapter 3, however, we see Nicodemus
is coming to JESUS with an open mind, and he is intent on listening to the Man
WHOM, he himself, had seen perform many miracles. Right away JESUS stuns the
seasoned scholar by saying to him, “Except a man be born again, he cannot
see the Kingdom of GOD” (John 3:3 - KJV).
In other words, here JESUS was telling
Nicodemus, who was thought to be “spiritual” by almost everyone,
including himself, that, before any spiritual questions can be dealt with, a
man must be born anew, spiritually. He would have to be baptized in the “SPIRIT”
that JESUS HIMSELF would later impart to anyone that believes in HIM. And even
though the concept of a “spiritual rebirth” is clearly evident in the
Old Testament, here, Nicodemus is still clearly confused by this divine
revelation of truth that JESUS was now sharing with him (John 3:4).
In verses 5-7, JESUS further elaborates on HIS
prior statement regarding spiritual rebirth, by stating, “The truth is, no
one can enter the Kingdom of GOD without being born of water, and, the SPIRIT”.
Humans can reproduce only human life, but the HOLY SPIRIT gives “new spiritual
life” from Heaven” (NLT).
Here JESUS is saying that, the first
requirement for a person to be eligible for the kingdom of GOD is that GOD has
to allow that person to exist in the first place. When a woman’s “water”
breaks after the fullness of the time of her pregnancy, a person, or persons
are born into the world and human life begins its journey in earnest
in the physical realm. However, only through accepting CHRIST JESUS, first with
our lips, and then, in our hearts, and thereby, inviting the HOLY SPIRIT to
dwell within us, can a person ever receive a new spiritual, eternal life in
Heaven.
To be “born again” is the phrase that
clearly describes the goal of the aspiring Christian. It is the true
Christian’s desire, that GOD will exact HIS divine power upon our lives with a
moral infusion that will transform us into a people that can, at all times,
reflect HIS image to others, through our own behavior. And just as “Natural
Birth” marks the beginning of our new life in the physical world,
and makes us “children of man”, “Spiritual Birth” marks the
beginning of our new life in CHRIST JESUS, and makes us “children of
GOD” (John 3:5-6).
In verse 10, JESUS responds with a question of
HIS OWN, by asking Nicodemus, “Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not
these thing? (KJV) In other words, HE was asking him, “aren’t you a
respected Jewish teacher, and yet, you don’t understand these things?” If
you don’t believe the things that GOD is doing here on earth, you can’t
possibly believe the things that are done in Heaven” (Vs.10-12).
After giving Nicodemus a prophetic revelation
of how HIS earthly ministry would end (Vs.13-15), JESUS goes on to utter what
is, arguably, the most well known verse in all of Scripture, when HE states, “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” (John 3:16 -
KJV).
It is “the statement” in Scripture
that, perhaps, more clearly than all other statements, reveals to us that “GOD’s
motivation towards HIS people here on earth is “love”. It is a love that is
not limited to a few, or, just to a single group of people, but rather, GOD’s
gifts of Love and Salvation are for everyone who dares to
believe. GOD’s purpose in sending HIS OWN SON is for “communication”
and for our “Salvation”, and was never intended to be for our “condemnation”.
In fact, JESUS says, that, there is no judgment awaiting those who believe
(v.18a).
The “lost sinners” are those who do
not accept CHRIST JESUS as their LORD and SAVIOR, and by rejecting HIM,
they already stand condemned. They will remain lost, unless they put their
trust and faith in CHRIST JESUS, while they yet live (v.18b).
JESUS further states, that the lost sinner’s judgment
is based on this fact:
“The LIGHT from Heaven came into the world,
but they loved the darkness more than the LIGHT, for their actions were evil.
They hate the LIGHT because they want to sin in the darkness. They stay away
from the LIGHT for fear their sins will be exposed and they will be punished.
But those who desire to do what is right come to the LIGHT gladly, so everyone
can see that they are doing what GOD wants” (Vs. 19-21 - NLT).
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
LARRY D. ALEXANDER-
Official Website
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