John 3:1-12

We come to this crucial and widely misunderstood and sometimes mocked at topic among ignorant masses: "being born again".

1. AN EXPERIENCE INDISPENSABLE (John 3:3,5,7)

THE indispensability of this experience is unquestionable, given the fact that the information on it came from none else than the Lord, who is God's truth (Word) personified (John 1:1, 14; 14:6) and who, in the days of His flesh spoke nothing but that which God gave Him (John 7:17; 8:26,28; 12:49,50).

In fact the information came from God Himself, seeing that Christ is God (John 1:1; Isaiah 9:6). The PRE-EMINENCE of this experience is also brought out by the following fact:- Nicodemus was not only a Jew, but a member of the supreme Jewish council (the Sanhedrin). He was a Rabbi, i.e.; a master, or teacher (of the law and the traditions) and a spiritual leader. He was convinced of God's existence, God's power and the fact that Jesus was sent by God (John 3:1-2).

To the ordinary (natural) mind, it would appear that Nicodemus was already on his way to heaven, but the fact that such a religious man needed to be "born again" portrays the pre-eminence of the experience. This reminds us of Cornelius who apparently was more pious than Nicodemus, yet needed to be "born again" also (Acts 10:1-5).

The INDISPENSABILITY of this experience can be likened to that of air, water and food to human life. Therefore, whatsoever one has that may appear good - teaching catechism, singing in the choir, leading a religious life of the ordained or the professed, belonging to pious societies, going to sacraments, being Church wardens/ushers, being "God-parents", giving alms, paying tithes and giving offerings, coming to fellowship regularly, fasting and praying, singing Christian songs, making peace among men, etc; if one is not born-again, these things are and will be USELESS before God now, and in the end (John 3:3,5,7).

It should be noted that,"except a man be born again, he CANNOT see the kingdom of God" is not a statement relating to the Jews only, but also to non-Jews. Today therefore, it concerns those within Christendom and outside it.

2. EXPERIENCE EXPLAINED/ILLUSTRATED (John 3:5,6,8)

TO aid ignorant Nicodemus (John 3:4), the Lord broke down the experience of being born again into its two constituent parts, i.e.; "being born of water and of the Spirit (John 3:5,6). He further explained and illustrated the experience (John 3:6,8), but Nicodemus would not understand (John 3:9). The situation is unfortunately the same today. Part of the problem today is the mention of water. Many have therefore been taught that they are born again because they have been baptized in water either at infancy, or at adulthood. To clear the sky of the clouds, and aid our understanding, let us note the following:-

In Scriptures, this experience is called some other names, e.g; "being born of God" (John 1:13; 1 John 3:9; 4:7; 5:1); "being quickened" (resurrected from spiritual death) (Ezekiel 37:10; Luke 15:24; John 5:21,25; 6:63; Ephesians 2:1,6; Colossians 2:13; 3:1); "being regenerated" (Titus 3:5); "being in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The water mentioned as one of the instruments of "being born again" is not the water of baptism in view of the following truth:- (I) All Old Testament saints were born again and saved without water baptism (Hebrews 11; 9:15; James 2:23; Psalm 32:5; 103:3; Luke 1:70; Acts 3:21; Deuteronomy 32:18; 2 Peter 1:21). (ii) They all had the Holy Spirit, gifts and many other blessings without baptism (Psalm 51:12; 1 Kings 3:12; 4:29-34; Numbers 11:17-29; Acts 3:21; Luke 1:15-17,41,46,67; 2:25-38; Hebrews 11). (iii) Many in Christ's ministry were forgiven and born again without water baptism (Matthew 9:1-7; Luke 7:48; 18:9-14; 19:1-9; 23:43; John 4:49-53; John 7:31; 8:30-31; 11:45; 12:11,42). (iv) Men have been baptized in the Holy Spirit before water baptism (Acts 9:17; 10:44-48; 11:14-18; 15:7-11). (v) Christ was baptized in water without (need of) forgiveness of sins (Matthew 3:15-17). (iv) Baptism in water is a mere figure (1 Peter 3:21); but not held as essential to salvation (1 Corinthians 1:13-24; 15:1-5; Romans 1:16; 10:9-14; Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 10:43; 13:38-39; 16:31; John 3:14-18,36; 5:24; 1 John 5:24). (vii) Baptism in water is only for men who have repented (Matthew 3:2-6; 28:19; Acts 2:38; 8:12,37; 10:43-48; 18:8; 19:4).

In the Scriptures, water is used in a symbolic sense of salvation (John 4:14; Isaiah 12:3); of the Spirit's baptism (John 7:37-39) and of cleansing by the Word of God (John 15:3; Ephesians 5:26). Since men are cleansed and born-again by the Word of God (James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23), it is clear that being born again of water means being born again by the water of the Word of God.

Further to the above, the Lord Jesus came an embodiment of the Word of God (John 1:1 & 14; 7:17; 8:26,28,38; 12:49-50) and of the Spirit of God (John 3:34; Matthew 3:16), therefore the Word and the Spirit quickened whosoever that received them (John 5:21,25; 6:63).

Besides, being born again is a spiritual exercise (not involving the flesh). "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, but that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (John 3:6). The beneficiary is the spirit of man. The man does not know how it happened, but sees the result of what has happened, as in Christ's illustration (John 3:8), unlike in water baptism. Hence, there are many, who, on being exposed to the truth of God's Word and the Holy Spirit get born again without realizing when it actually took place.
Again, "whosoever is born of God (born again) doth not commit sin" (1 John 3:9) is true only of those who have been quickened by His Word and Spirit, and not those who have just had water baptism. Therefore it is conclusive that the instruments of being born-again/born of God/quickened/regenerated/being in Christ, are the water of the Word and the Spirit of God.

The question from the Lord to Nicodemus was, "art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?" (John 3:10). Today, the Lord is posing the same question to all the categories of people who engage in this or that (as listed before in this study), but have not bought the ticket to heaven. This question can be stretched to those who have been born-again, but know not about restitution, sanctification, baptism with the Holy Spirit, tithes and offerings, evangelism, service to the Lord, testifying to the goodness and glory of God.

The Lord's thought-provoking (not insolent) question made Nicodemus re-think his standing before God; His actions later proved that he became born again after the encounter with Christ the Lord (consider John 7:47-51; 19:39-40). This is a good example for anyone whom the Lord is asking some questions today.

Again, if such questions are asked those within the visible Church, what is the position of those without and those who have entirely different religious persuasions they are following?

3. GETTING THE EXPERIENCE

SINCE it is the Word and Spirit that regenerate, one must needs receive them; therefore the Lord makes His Spirit available wherever He has put His Word (consider Genesis 1:1-3). This is one of the reasons those really appointed by Him to preach the Word are given substantial measure of His Spirit (Luke 24:47,49; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; John 3:34; Acts 10:38). Therefore the words such people speak are "spirit" because of the Spirit of God in them (John 6:63; compare Galatians 3:5). This is the reason those who heard and received Christ's, or the apostles' word and believed in God that sent them were quickened (John 5:21,25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 2:13).

But receiving God's Word with His Spirit to be born-again entails, (I) yielding to conviction that one is needy, as did Nicodemus (John 3:1-2 consider Psalm 51:3b; 73:21; Acts 2:37); (ii) repenting, rejecting and emptying oneself (through confession) of one's sins (e.g. Psalm 51:1-17); (iii) manifesting saving faith in the sacrifice of Christ (Acts 20:21). So the Lord, knowing the role of His Word and Spirit challenged Nicodemus into receiving His Word (John 3:11-12).

4. PROOF OF THE EXPERIENCE

EVERY Christian experience received has proof. If any person is born-again/born of God/regenerated/quickened/saved/in Christ, he must have a changed nature e(2 Corinthians 5:17; Ezekiel 11:19; Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 2:15); he is sure his past sins have been done away with (forgiven and forgotten) (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 2:13; 1 John 2:12); he has been taken out of sin and does not live in sin (Psalm 51:12; Philippians 1:25). Besides, God, Christ and the Holy Spirit who were previously unreal are now real. The Bible, reading it, praying, listening to the Word and fellowshipping with others, previously spurned are now loved.

HEARKEN: HEAVEN IS A CITY, REAL BUT SPIRITUAL (IN THE SENSE THAT IT IS NOT SEEN WITH THE NATURAL EYES), AND "BEING BORN AGAIN" OF THE WORD AND SPIRIT OF GOD IS THE TICKET INTO IT.