New Testament Vistas

John 3:1-2 NIVNow there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

Nicodemus: The Best of the BestSa

nhed

rin

• Jewish High Court• Legislative body• Supreme court

•

•

Nicodemus: The Best of the BestSa

nhed

rin

• Jewish High Court• Legislative body• Supreme court

Phar

isee • Looking for

Kingdom of God• Enter by obeying

the Law

John 3:3-8 NIVJesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

John 3:3-8 NIV Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’

John 3:3-8 NIV

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

Correcting His Misconceptions

Affirms John re: baptism

Correcting His Misconceptions

Affirms John re: baptism

New image: “born again”

Correcting His Misconceptions

Affirms John re: baptism

New image: “born again”

Must start from scratch

Rebirth: Repentance & Renewal

Born of Water

Rebirth: Repentance & Renewal

Born of Water

Born of Spirit

The Difference Between Flesh & Spirit

Flesh• Sin• Death

Spirit• Salvation• Life

Rebirth: Not Natural but Real

πνεύματος

πνει

φωνην

Wind

Blows

Sound

Spirit

Exhales (speaks)

Voice

THE ESSENCE OF THE GOSPEL

John 3:16 NIV For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

“God Gave His One and Only Son”

God Gave

Did not treat us as we deserve

Gave what we do not deserve

“God Gave His One and Only Son”

God Gave

Did not treat us as we deserve

Gave what we do not deserve

One and Only Son

No brothers/peers

Sole means of salvation

“Whoever Believes in Him”

WhoeverAvailable to

everyone

Not limited to any group

“Whoever Believes in Him”

WhoeverAvailable to

everyone

Not limited to any group

Believes in HimAccessible to

those trusting Him

The decision is ours, not His

“Shall Not Perish but Have Eternal Life”

Shall Not Perish

μὴ ἀπόληται – will not be lost; destroyed

Polar opposite of eternal life

“Shall Not Perish but Have Eternal Life”

Shall Not Perish

μὴ ἀπόληται – will not be lost; destroyed

Polar opposite of eternal life

Have Eternal Life

ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον – will have “Life of the age”

Essence: life lived in relationship with God

The Doors of the Kingdom of God Stand Open Before You

Have you been born of water and spirit?Repentance Trust Baptism

The Doors of the Kingdom of God Stand Open Before You

God will make you into something new

Reborn Relationship Eternal

Have you been born of water and spirit?Repentance Trust Baptism