Great Doctrines

Lesson 7

Lesson Text—John 3:1-3

John 3:1-41 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said into 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.

Lesson Text—John 3:1-3

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?

Lesson Text—John 3:4-7

John 3:5-75 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.

Focus Verse—John 3:3

John 3:3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born

again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Focus Thought

The command of the Lord is that

we must be born again. This new

birth is called regeneration, or an

empowering, which helps us to

live for God.

I. The Call for RegenerationIntroduction

North Americans seem to be enamored with the word new. Possibly it relates to young students being taught from the first days of school that North America is in the “new world.” Christopher Columbus had no notion he would find such a place and that in time individuals would build a society such as we witness in this twenty-first century.

B. The Word of God The founding fathers of the North

American nations would be amazed to see what the “new world” has become. There have been innumerable advances in every way, and yet many people are unhappy. It seems the appetite of many is insatiable for new cars, new homes, new clothes, and new adventures. The craving of many for new entertainment is epidemic in today’s lifestyle. Commerce has thrived because consumers quickly tire of that which gave them pleasure only a short time ago.

B. The Word of God Envy and greed are compelling forces that demand satisfaction. Sadly, prisons are overflowing with inmates who tried to gratify their lusts for decadent passions.

People all over the world—not just in North America—need a new understanding of purpose, a new direction, and a new life. Only through the shed blood of Jesus Christ can a person experience the new birth, which will initiate the brand new life all people hunger for and need. Only the new birth can fulfill mankind’s longing for something truly new.

B. The Word of God Paul, in his letter to Titus, stated

that the regeneration of the Holy Ghost in the lives of individuals is mankind’s only avenue to obtain eternal hope. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; . . . That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:5, 7).

B. The Word of God The new birth is not optional for

those who desire salvation; it is imperative for one’s redemption. Jesus made clear to Nicodemus the necessity of a new birth for one desiring to be saved. Jesus said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. . . . Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. . . . Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” (John 3:3-7).

B. The Word of God Many people in today’s world

find it increasingly difficult to simply accept the gospel at face value, and many individuals have become skeptics. However, the Scriptures warn us to beware of the corruption of our minds that would remove us from the simplicity in Christ Jesus. (See II Corinthians 11:3.) We can experience a wonderful new life in Jesus Christ!

II Corinthians 11:3

“But I fear, lest by any means,

as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in

Christ” (II Corinthians 11:3).

A. The Natural Man Incurably Wicked

The Call for Regeneration

A. The Natural Man Incurably Wicked

According to Strong’s Complete Dictionary of Bible Words, Paul’s use of the word “regeneration” in Titus 3:5 is rooted in two Greek words: palin, which means “anew,” and genesis, which means “nativity.”

B. The Word of God These two words combine to form the Greek word paliggenesia, which means “(spiritual) rebirth (the state or the act), i.e. (figuratively) spiritual renovation; specifically, Messianic restoration: regeneration.” Mankind is by nature wicked and needs a spiritual renovation, or regeneration! The Holy Ghost regenerates a person and returns him to a state of spiritual innocence. Clearly, Jesus had redemption in mind when He answered Nicodemus’s questions and introduced him to the doctrine of the new birth.

B. The Word of God Since God drove Adam and Eve from the garden after the Fall, mankind has struggled with the forces of evil unleashed upon this earth. Humanity has a propensity toward that which is evil. Mankind seems predisposed to embrace those things that directly oppose the mind and will of God. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).

B. The Word of God In a class designed to help treat

alcohol and chemical abuse, a young man commented that he was twenty-seven years old and had spent fourteen of those years incarcerated. He stated, “I just can’t believe that there isn’t some way to beat the cops at their game. I keep trying, and they keep sending me back. Someday I’ll figure out how to do it.” Six months later he was back in prison. The parole board had shown him favor, yet he would not learn.

Isaiah 26:10

“Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn

righteousness” (Isaiah 26:10).

B. The Word of God The church must learn how to help desperate people find their way to God, for Jesus is their only hope. Man’s wickedness would be incurable were it not for God’s grace. “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). But by the grace of God there is hope for spiritual change within every person!

B. The Natural Man Spiritually Dead B. The Natural Man

Spiritually Dead

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead

in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).

B. The Word of God Sin is a small word that causes a

big problem. Sinful mankind became estranged from God because of sin and God’s requirement of holiness. Since sin robbed mankind of the eternal life he could have enjoyed in the garden, he needs to become aware of his dead condition. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Mankind’s trespasses and sins render him spiritually dead.

B. The Word of God Paul wrote, “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Romans 8:7).

Many people seem not to understand their unrighteous condition. The concept of being lost and separated from fellowship with God is foreign to many individuals. Sadly, however, many people today are in that condition. Someone has stated, “It’s hard to find a good sinner anymore.”

B. The Word of God He alluded both to the fact it is becoming increasingly rare to find people who realize they are sinners and also the extreme condition of most sinners in their lost state. Some people today are even proud of their sins and boast of their evil exploits. The vast majority of the masses of humanity trudge through their days ignorant of their spiritual plight. Jesus is the only hope they have to discover a new and meaningful life. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

C. The Natural Man a Child of the Devil

C. The Natural Man a Child of the Devil

“And this is the condemnation, that light is

come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds

were evil” (John 3:19).

B. The Word of God “Ye are of your father the devil”

(John 8:44), Jesus said. He spoke abrasively to the Pharisees concerning their spiritual allegiance. He plainly pointed out they were following their human, ungodly, carnal, devilish natures. Blinded by their own self-righteousness, the Pharisees could not understand the teachings of Jesus. His teaching of truth affronted their tendency to try to manipulate the law for their selfish purposes.

B. The Word of God It seems that Nicodemus

possessed a purer motive than most coupled with a genuine desire to learn. He readily admitted he and others believed Jesus was a “teacher come from God.” Still, it was hard for Nicodemus to reach beyond the traditions of Judaism, so he went to Jesus by night. He wanted answers, but he wanted them on his terms and possibly under the cloak of anonymity.

A. The New Birth Is Personal The Character of

Regeneration

A. The New Birth Is Personal

In Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus regarding the new birth, He clearly revealed its personal nature by His use of the personal pronoun you. Jesus said to him, “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7). It is one thing to state the gospel with generic language and terms, but it is vital to personalize it.

B. The Word of God To the Jewish mind the

concept of one experiencing a new birth was revolutionary, and the idea of regeneration was alien. The Jews were steeped in the workings of the law and blind within the realm of their long-held traditions. They had become comfortable with the idea of Temple worship, and they had no reason to believe things would change.

B. The Word of God People often are creatures of habit and find it difficult to change. Further, human nature causes individuals to question everything. But Jesus had a revelation for Nicodemus that would revolutionize spiritual life both for him and for all mankind—a personal regeneration through a new birth by the Spirit.

B. The New Birth Is an Essential Imperative

B. The New Birth Is an Essential Imperative

Jesus left no room for debate when He told Nicodemus, “Ye must be born again.” While the word you personalized His message for Nicodemus, the word must revealed the imperative nature of His directive. He did not allow for arbitration or options. He clearly stated the essentiality of experiencing the new birth for salvation. One cannot negotiate the gospel of Jesus Christ.

B. The Word of God The new birth is the leading and

vital tenet of the Christian life because it initiates the spiritual life one receives in Christ. Some people may consider certain things as necessary when they actually are only preferences. For instance, a young person might attempt to convince his parents a certain fashion item is necessary. Actually, it is only a passing fad of the moment and necessary only in the desirous person’s mind. On the other hand, the essentiality of the new birth is far beyond a fad of the times. It is vital to eternal life itself.

B. The Word of God One can receive eternal life only by first experiencing the new birth. Jesus told Nicodemus, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Jesus thereby established the essentiality of the new birth for every person who would be saved and receive eternal life.

Three things that do not substitute for the new birth: (1) sincerity, (2) education, and (3) church membership.

B. The Word of God 1. Sincerity is no substitute for the new birth. Some individuals insist that just being sincere is enough for salvation since God knows the person’s heart. However, sincerity will not substitute for truth. It is possible to be sincere and be sincerely wrong. One cannot be right and wrong at the same time. Truth is always pure and untainted with error.

B. The Word of God 2. Education is no substitute for the new birth. Regardless of one’s level of knowledge or formal education, every person desiring salvation must be born again of the water and Spirit. It is not a practice one can learn or formulate mathematically. Further, some people have allowed their education to hinder them; they have learned to make all decisions in life according to logic and human reason alone.

B. The Word of God Believers place great value on

formal education. Their use and encouragement of Christian schools, home schooling, Bible colleges, public schools, colleges, universities, seminaries, and other institutions of higher learning demonstrate the value they give to education. Paul sat at the feet of Gamaliel, one of the most renowned educators of his day. (See Acts 22:3.) Still, no education can take the place of a person’s personal new-birth experience.

B. The Word of God 3. Church membership is no substitute for the new birth. Membership in the church of Jesus Christ is the result of the new-birth experience and not predicated on religious study or ceremony. The law of Moses was replete with ceremonial obligation, but salvation is a life-changing experience. Jesus plainly stated He was come not to destroy the law, but to fulfill it. (See Matthew 5:17.)

B. The Word of God Ceremonial acts may secure one’s association into the society of certain religious orders, but only the application of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ will induct a new believer into the kingdom of God.

Martin Luther startled the world with his revelation that “the just shall live by faith.” It is true that the just live by faith, but it is through faith that they experience the new birth.

B. The Word of God Jesus succinctly stated, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). One must believe on the Lord according to the Scriptures, and he will receive the Holy Spirit! (See John 7:39.) The believers in the upper room were the first to experience rivers of living water as Jesus promised in John 7:38, and many have received the Holy Ghost since that initial outpouring. Thank God we are privileged to live and worship by the power of the Holy Ghost in these last days!

B. The Word of God A man once stated that the

practice of speaking in tongues could not possibly be real for it defied all human logic in that a person could not speak a language he had never studied. The pastor agreed that it does defy logic; however, faith is not based on human logic.

Jesus was emphatic in His teaching of the essentiality of being born again of water and of the Spirit. Good works do not have the power to save; good works are fruit of the experience of new birth in our lives.

B. The Word of God No matter how much a person cleans up his life, there is no substitute for experiencing the new birth.

Nicodemus was dumbfounded. With all the knowledge he had of the Scriptures, he still attempted to perceive the meaning of Jesus’ words through mere human logic. “How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” (John 3:4).

B. The Word of God With all his sincerity and with all his education, Nicodemus discovered he was still lacking, which must have cut him to the heart.

John 3:10

“Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these

things?”(John 3:10).

B. The Word of God Only a personal renaissance

can alleviate the guilt of sin. As the old song states, “What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

C. The New Birth Brings about Change

C. The New Birth Brings about Change

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new” (II Corinthians

5:17).

B. The Word of God The new birth causes a person

to become a new creation in Christ Jesus. He is changed! His old, carnal nature becomes a brand new, changed nature. As the new believer puts “off the old man with his deeds” (Colossians 3:9), the Lord empowers him to live a new life through the power of the Spirit.

The power of the Spirit changed Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. It would be interesting if we had insight concerning the reaction of Saul’s family to his conversion from Judaism to Christianity.

B. The Word of God The Jews in Damascus voiced their disbelief when they heard Saul of Tarsus had become a follower of Jesus Christ. They were so enraged they plotted Saul’s death and watched the gates day and night to kill him, but the believers helped him to escape the city.

The reaction of Ananias was cautious because Saul’s reputation had preceded him. Yet, Ananias was obedient to the will of Christ and carried the fullness of the gospel to the future apostle.

B. The Word of God Saul of Tarsus became an outstanding exemplar of how the new birth creates a new creature. Saul exchanged his hate for love, ambition for zeal, and tradition for salvation! He exchanged powerful authority in Judaism for Christian servitude. Saul, who is better known as Paul, remains a paradigm for godly discipleship. Paul’s Christian life stands as an eloquent testimony to the ability of the Holy Ghost to change an individual life—no matter where he has been or what he has done.

B. The Word of God Consider some of the changes that take place in the life of a new Christian. The new birth changes one from a son of Satan to a son of God. We become the redeemed children of the Creator of the universe, receive the adoption of the Father, and enjoy the promise of eternal life. (See John 1:12; 5:24; Romans 6:23; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 1:13.) The new birth calls us out of darkness into the marvelous light of Christ.

B. The Word of God When the radiance of God’s love en-lightens a person’s life, it gives him a new optimism and a new reason for living.

Our modern culture is beset with cases of depression, mental illness, and dysfunctional families. Child abuse, sexual abuse, and spousal abuse are rampant. Only the exciting, regenerating energy of the new birth can turn an abuser into a new creation in Christ Jesus.

A. Water and Spirit The Channels of

RegenerationA. Water and Spirit

When Jesus was with a group of Greek proselytes in John 12, He used a horticultural analogy to explain His impending death. He said, “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit” (John 12:24). The ensuing death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ became the heart of the gospel message.

B. The Word of God Although analogies are always

weaker than the truth behind them, and if pushed too far truth can be distorted, spiritual regeneration happens in a similar way. Repentance, water baptism in the name of Jesus, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost parallel the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In today’s lesson text Jesus told Nicodemus that he had to be born of water and the Spirit. Birth of water is baptism in the name of Jesus; birth of the Spirit is the infilling of the Holy Ghost.

B. The Word of God The change of a sinful person

into a Spirit-filled individual is graphic and conspicuous. The Holy Ghost performs a complete makeover of mind, soul, and spirit. Peter changed from a rough, sword-swinging, poorly educated fisherman to an eloquent firebrand of the faith, able to preach a sermon that persuaded three thousand souls to receive the message. He proficiently used the keys given to him by the Lord, and he opened the door to the kingdom of heaven to all people everywhere.

B. The Word of God When the believers on the Day of Pentecost first received the Holy Ghost, the Lord caused them to speak with other tongues as He gave them the utterance. Some questioned, “How hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

B. The Word of God Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God” (Acts 2:8-11). The work of the Spirit is so inclusive and intricate that the accompanying tongues may be unknown to most and yet can be regionally recognized by others.

B. The Word of God An evangelist overheard a group of Hispanic ladies involved in fervent worship. He wondered what all the excitement was. He could hear one particular woman loudly praising the Lord. She was speaking perfect English but with a pronounced British accent. She was saying things such as, “Jesus is the most holy God,” and “Praise the Lord of all the universe.”

B. The Word of God The evangelist asked the pastor’s wife, “Why are all of you so excited?” She replied, “Brother, you don’t realize; this lady has just arrived here and knows absolutely no English. She is receiving the Holy Ghost!” What a thrill to be an apostolic witness! What a faith builder! What a reconfirmation of truth!

B. The Word of God B. The Word of God

The Word of God was recorded as the Holy Ghost moved upon holy men of God to write. It will achieve the purpose for which the Lord designed it, especially with regard to drawing individuals into a new-birth experience of regeneration. The devil cannot stay infested where the Word of God has been invested! “The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword” (Hebrews 4:12); it will achieve God’s purpose.

B. The Word of God According to James, believers are begotten through the “word of truth,” which certainly is the Word of God. (See James 1:18.) Further, John revealed that we are “clean through the word,” which Jesus Christ spoke to His followers. (See John 15:3.) The Word of God clearly is powerful and will effect change and renewal in the lives of those who receive it and obey it.

B. The Word of God Through the Word of God we

receive the gospel of Jesus Christ, and through the gospel we receive the new-birth experience. It is invaluable to believers as it is the foundation for our new life in Christ! The prophet Isaiah emphatically appraised the value of the Word of God. “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever” (Isaiah 40:8).

C. Our Faith C. Our Faith

The Scriptures further reveal the role of faith in effecting the regeneration of individuals, for “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Paul stated, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26). Further, faith purifies the hearts of believers as Peter testified when conferring with the other apostles concerning Gentiles being allowed into the church. (See Acts 15:8-9.)

Acts 15:8-9

“And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness,

giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and

put no difference between us and them, purifying their

hearts by faith” (Acts 15:8-9).

B. The Word of God Conclusion

People all over the world need a new understanding of purpose, a new direction, and a new life, which only the new birth in Christ Jesus can accomplish. As Paul wrote to Titus, mankind’s regeneration by the power of the Holy Ghost is his only avenue to experiencing the work of God’s grace, which brings eternal hope.

B. The Word of God The new birth is not optional; it is an imperative of the gospel of Jesus Christ! Jesus was clear in his dialogue with Nicodemus when He stated, “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” (John 3:7). He left no room for debate or discussion; the new birth is necessary in order for one to experience and see the kingdom of God!

B. The Word of God The new birth is the leading and vital tenet of the Christian life because it initiates the spiritual life one receives in Christ. We need to let all the world hear the message of the gospel that saves from sin: you must be born again.