NICODEMUS John 3 1 12 NICODEMUS A Pharisee

NICODEMUS John 3: 1 -12

NICODEMUS • A Pharisee, and ruler of the Jews (v. 1). Good prospect for teaching? § Pharisees were hypocritical, self-righteous, unscrupulous. § Jewish rulers were corrupt, self-seeking, unjust. • Jesus “knew all men… for He knew what was in man” (John 2: 24 -25). § § Not all Pharisees fit that mold. Not all rulers fit that mold (John 7: 24)

NICODEMUS • Many points of agreement (v. 2) § Authority of the Law of God, acceptance of the Prophets, resurrection, angels and spirits. • Points of disagreement § Citizenship in God’s kingdom (Abraham, works of the Law) • Jesus began with point of disagreement. § “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” —Must have been shocking!

NICODEMUS Lessons for us: • We do not know hearts as Jesus did. • We may need to establish common ground from the beginning. • We may need to determine what beliefs we have in common (inspiration, authority of Scripture, morality).

NICODEMUS Lessons for us: • Many have the same problem as Nicodemus concerning citizenship in the kingdom (depend on: faith only, good feeling, morality, church membership, etc. ). • Eventually we must insist, “You must be born again!” • Many will be shocked, even offended.

NICODEMUS How is one born again? • Water and the Spirit (v. 5) • What is the water? § For centuries all agreed it was baptism. § Since Reformation some resist this. § Baptism is still the most obvious answer (Acts 22: 16).

NICODEMUS How is one born again? • Water and the Spirit (v. 5) • What is the Spirit? § Baptism is our action, the rebirth of our spirit is God’s action (Titus 3: 4 -5). § We can see baptism, we cannot see spiritual renewal (John 3: 6 -8).

NICODEMUS “How can these things be? ” (vv. 9 -12) • Citizenship is not based on genealogy or outward righteousness • God grants spiritual rebirth in Christ (cf. Rom. 6: 3 -4; Gal. 3: 26 -27; 2 Cor. 5: 17 -19). • Peter on Pentecost (Acts 2: 37 -38; cf. Col. 2: 11 -13).

NICODEMUS What must we tell those relying on… • • • Faith Only Feelings Morality • • Baptism into denomination Infant Baptism “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3: 5)