John 3:1 to 12, Born again is born of the spirit and born of water.

We are going to study John 3:1-12. Here, we are going to see Nicodemus, who is a devout Pharisee and a leader among them, who is symbolic for Christian leaders, and even to us. So, what is said on theses verses will apply to us also. So, let us study them as it is said on the word of God. Here, we will study the true definitions of born of the flesh, born again, born of the spirit, born of water, and what is a church.

Christians believe the miracles of Jesus, but not what he preached.

Let us begin our study. John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: Nicodemus was a Pharisee and he was similar to a pastor to the Pharisees. They were very committed to Judaism. Pharisees opposed Jesus because Jesus was not bound to Judaism, but he was committed to God the Father. 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto 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. Nicodemus said that he believed Jesus was a teacher sent by God, doing miracles and God was with him. But in verse 12 Jesus tells him, If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? That is, Nicodemus did not believe what Jesus was telling. But, he said that Jesus came from God and doing every thing by God. So, he contradicts himself. 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. Jesus implied to him that Nicodemus is not born again and he will not even see the kingdom of God. The reason for, not born again and cannot see the kingdom is, even after he believed what Jesus has done, he did not believe what Jesus has said. But we Christians also believe what Jesus Christ has done, his miracles, healing, raise the dead, his death and resurrection, all things, but we do not believe the gospel that Jesus has preached. Instead, we believe gospel of preachers and pastors. Jesus told, again & again, to obey God for eternal life. Preachers say that we cannot obey God and so believe the story of Jesus Christ and what he has done, for our eternal life. We did believe our preachers but not Jesus Christ. If Nicodemus was not born again, and if he could not see the kingdom of God for this reason, then we Christians who believe what Jesus has done, but do not believe what Jesus has said, are neither born again nor we will see the kingdom of God. This is what Jesus Christ has said. But, we say that we are all zealous for God. According to Jesus Christ, what matters is, do we believe and do what Jesus told us to do to inherit his kingdom? If we do not believe and do what he told us to do, then we are not born again and we will not even see the kingdom of God.

Born Again by Receiving the Holy Spirit

Verse 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? Nicodemus did not have a clue of what Jesus has said. He is ignorant of the spirit. The leading of the spirit, a/c to the word of God, is important, but not religion. Let us skip verse 5 now. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Jesus says flesh is flesh and spirit is spirit and both are entirely two different things. In my previous studies, I have showed that God has made the body of man from the dust of the earth, he made a soul as same as his own soul, he placed the soul in the body and called it as man. Man lives by the blood in his body according to Genesis 9:4&5, Leviticus 17:11&14, & Deuteronomy 12:23. Soul does not live until God gives the spirit to him according to Genesis 2:7, etc. Spirit is life, it gives power to the soul. At birth, even though the baby has a soul in his body, it will not have the spirit with it. He must receive the spirit later, which will be born of the spirit or born again. Until he is born again, the soul has only conscience or mind to know what is right and what is wrong. Evil souls, or evil men, will join the flesh to do evil. But, good souls, or good men, will have no power to stop the flesh from doing evil. So he cries out to Jesus and Christ gives a spirit to the soul. As he gets the spirit, the soul begins to live and gets power to do what he wanted to do. Apostle Paul teaches the situation of the soul in first person in Romans 7:14-25. But preachers got confused and preach nonsense. But Paul was teaching the status of a new believer, who was not born of the spirit. This believer, confess that he is a wretched man in Romans 7:24, and cry out to Jesus Christ for help in 25. Then Jesus Christ gives him the spirit. We may say that a spirit is birthed into man and the man is born of the spirit or born again. After he receives the spirit, he overcomes the flesh as in Romans 8:1. So, the born again man, when he is rooted in the spirit, he will not walk after the flesh but he walks after the spirit. This spirit is the spirit of man, since this spirit is given to man. He is also the spirit of Christ, since Christ gives the spirit to man. He is holy spirit, since he will make a man holy. Let me point out one important thing. This holy spirit, is not Holy Ghost, but holy spirit is given as the earnest seal as in Ephesians 1:13&14. But the holy Ghost is God and holy spirit is the spirit of man. Bible teachers always make error in this. If we receive the holy spirit, we do not belong to the flesh, but we belong to Christ. As the spirit guides the soul, the person lives in righteousness. In our first birth, our flesh lives. In our second birth, our soul lives and our body becomes the house to the soul. But, if we quench the spirit, the soul will die. So, God tells us not to quench the spirit in 1 Thessalonians 5:19. We cannot see or feel this spirit in a person, but the righteous life of this person is proof that the holy spirit lives in him. Born again man obeys God naturally, but the flesh man desires the things of the world by nature. But the churches teach people, just to say that they are born again, or born of the spirit, even if they do not have the spirit. They are fakes or counterfeits. You don't have to settle to be a fake, when you can become a genuine born again person. John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. You must be born again, is a command from God. We have no other choice, but to do. We are responsible to be born again that is to receive the holy spirit from God. If and when it happens, it happens instantly, and it is not gradual. In the instant God gives the holy spirit into us, we are born again and then, we see the kingdom of God. So, we will begin to understand the things of God. But, be careful. Intellectual & religious people will teach opposite to what the spirit teaches. They will also ridicule the spiritual gifts, etc. Just ignore them and just grow in the spirit, wisdom and grace.

The Church and Born of Water

Let us come to verse 5. 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. So, we must be born of water also in order to enter his kingdom. What is born of water? Eph 5:25-26… Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it ... The man Jesus died for the whole world. But now, Jesus Christ comes only for his church. So, this refers not to his death. Here, the resurrected Jesus is coming for his church, to sanctify and cleanse the church, that is to make the church holy. 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, He cleans the church by the word of God, as we wash a dirty cloth with water and make clean. 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. We are cleansed without spot, wrinkle, or blemish. Born again is instant, takes a minute. But, born of water, is to clean all sins, it is a process, and so it takes a long time. It is to produce the church perfect for himself, as his bride. Bride is the most beloved to God. But, if we want him to cleanse us, we must be a part of his church. What is his church? How to become a part of it? It is not to be religious. But it is of the Spirit of God. Acts 2:38 Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. So, the church consists of, repented, baptized people, who desire the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost, which is the holy spirit, so that they will be born again. 40&41 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. They have separated themselves from the ungodly, took water baptism, and received the word of God. If we want to be the part of his church, we may do these things. 47 the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. They are saved and God adds such people to his church. Acts 3:26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. Resurrected Jesus is sent to his church to turn every one of them away from their sins and iniquities. So God makes them spotless, clean and perfect, they will be the bride of Christ. But, if we still commit sin, either we are not born again, OR we are not yet born of water. However, if we are born of the spirit, we will strive to obey God and to be godly. John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. The men of the world, even religious men, cannot understand the ways of the spiritual men. The wind blow where it listeth, that is, they will begin to go in the way of God and godliness, but not to religion. Notice the verse, it says, so is every one that is born of the Spirit. So, God cleans everyone who comes in his church. 9&10 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Master of Israel refers to the leader and teacher. It seems as if Jesus was surprised. But it is the way of saying that even if we are leaders in our churches, we may not understand the way of the spirit. 11&12 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? So Jesus Christ says that spiritual life is real and practical. People will know and see it. But there are people who will not believe them. That is why, famous pastors and preachers ridicule the gifts of the spirit. They think that they have done well. If you are born of the spirit and water, you have done what Jesus Christ has told us to do, through scriptures, to inherit his kingdom. So, you are going to be the bride of Christ. 1 John 3:2 says, when he comes, you will see him as he is, in his glory and you shall be like him. Strive to be like him.

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