Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth.
Last week, we started talking about Salvation and why it is important. The bible says that salvation, is necessary to enter "the Kingdom of God". We will also talk about Spiritual Rebirth, the Holy Trinity and The Holy Spirit. You also need to have faith, which WE ALL HAVE! Everyone is given "a measure of faith", a certain amount of it upon your creation. It is up to you to "grow in faith" in God. You do this with knowledge and experiencing our Lord in your life. Taking note of "heavenly " experiences in other people's lives, through their testimony is another way to grow as well, but it's nothing like having your own personal experiences to grow as proof to grow you!
So, the scriptures I wrote about last time were...
John chapter 3 verses 1-15. Regular B.I.B.L.E. Readers, you already know by now that I use ...
A Life Application Study Bible, N.I.V. (New International Version), but I have to say it for the new readers who are joining us so they will know where I'm getting my information. I also own and use a King James version, for verification. My son, talks to me about reading the biblical scrolls that were written. That would be SO COOL, if we could! Would we even understand them? It would be so amazing to find out! Anyway, gotta pull it together. I do like learning more about the things I am passionate about. Let's move on though.
OK! So last week, I actually wrote out the verses. I wont' do it again this week because it's just so much. I'll leave it up to you to read from your bible or go back and pull that article up so yo can read it from there. What I am going to do is write out relevant foot notes. If necessary, I will add a few discussion points of my own. In the meantime, ALWAYS FEELS FREE TO WRITE ME letting me know your thoughts about what you have read. Just click on the pencil or the word comment at the end of this article. I read them all and I also post the comments for everyone else to read, using discretion, of course.
Relevant FOOTNOTES;
These footnotes are a breakdown of someone else's thoughts about what they think the verses mean.
*Always Reader, use more sources than what I'm providing, to get a "true Understanding".
Perhaps you may want to join a Bible Study Group to aid in your understanding. Bible Study Groups are more intimate and you can ask questions. Without stopping the regular church services.
From Life Application Study bible: N.I.V.
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Wheaton, Illinois
JOHN-3.1-15
(Todays Footnotes contain only verses 1 through 6)
Verse 1
"Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the ruling council ( called the high council, or the Sanhedrin)). The Pharisees were a group of religious leaders whom Jesus and John the Baptist often criticized for being hypocrites (See also Matthew chapter 3 verse 7 for more on Pharisees) . Most pharisees were intensely jealous of Jesus because he undermined their authority and challenged their views. But Nicodemus was searching, and he believed that Jesus had some answers. A learned scholar himself, he came to Jesus to be taught. No matter how intelligent and well educated you are, you must come to Jesus with an so pen mind and heart so he can teach you the truth about God.
Nicodemus cam e to Jesus personally, although he could have sent one of his assistants. He wanted to examine Jesus for himself to separate fact for m rumor. (I love that part!) Perhaps Nicodemus was afraid of what his peers, the Pharisees, would say about his visit, so he came after dark. Perhaps! Later when he understood that Jesus was truly the Messiah, he spoke up boldly in his defense (John ch.7:verses 50, 51). Like Nicodemus, we must examine Jesus for ourselves-others cannot do it for us. Then, if we believe he is who he says, we will want to speak up for him.
Verse 3
What did Nicodemus know about the kingdom? From the Bible, he knew it would be ruled by God, it would be restored on earth, and it would incorporate God's people. Jesus revealed to this devout Pharisee that the kingdom would come to the whole world (Ch.3verse16), not just the Jews, and that Nicodemus wouldn't be a part of it unless he was personally born again (Ch.3 verse5). This was a revolutionary concept; the kingdom is personal, not national or ethnic, and its entrance requirements are REPENTANCE and SPIRITUAL REBIRTH. Jesus later taught that God's kingdom has already begun in the hearts f believers (Luke ch. 1 verse 21). It will truly be realized when Jesus returns again to judge the wolds and abolish evil forever (Revelation ch. 21 verse 22).
Verses 5 & 6
"Born of water and the spirit" could refer to (1) the contrast between physical birth (water) and spiritual birth (Spirit), or (2) being regenerated by the Spirit and signifying that rebirth by Christian baptism. The water may also represent the cleansing action of God's Holy Spirit (Titus ch.3 verse 5). Nicodemus undoubtedly would have been familiar with Gods promise in Ezekiel ch 36 verses 25, 26, Jesus was explaining the importance of a spiritual rebirth, saying that people don't enter the kingdom by living a better life, but by being spiritually reborn.
Verse 6
WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT? God is three persons in one-The Father, the son, and the Holy Spirit, (The Holy Trinity). God became a man in Jesus so that Jesus could die for our sins. Jesus rose from the dead to offer Salvation to all people through spiritual renewal and rebirth. When Jesus ascended into heaven, his physical presence left the earth, but he promises to send the Holy spirit so that his spiritual presence would still be among mankind(see Luke ch. 24 verse 49). The Holy spirit first became available to ALL believers at Pentecost (Acts chapter 2). whereas in Old Testament days the Holy Spirit empowered specific individuals for specific purposes, now all believers have the power of the Holy Spirit available to them. For more on the Holy Spirit, read John Ch. 14 verses 16-28;
Romans chps. 8 & 9 and 1st Corinthians ch. 12 verse 13 and 2cd Corinthians ch.1 verse 22.
Be back soon for more on Salvation...
with Footnotes on John 3: 7-15
(John chapter 3 verses 7-15).
See ya! Meetta
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