1. Jesus Nicodemus Believed
Jn 3:1-17

2. Nicodemus Believed John’s Purpose Book
Jn 20:30-31, but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Make note of the purpose of the ENTIRE book. Everything John writes makes the case for believing that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God
In our lesson here we are looking at the Believing Nicodemus and the requirements for a Jew to enter the kingdom of God.

3. Nicodemus Believed Jn 3:1-2 a Pharisees ruler of the Jews
came to Jesus by night
“thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou do, except God be with him.”
Nicodemus Believed
Why does Nicodemus make it into the Gospel that is written to promote Believe in Jesus?
He is a Pharisee and a ruler, He believed Jesus was from God; that is all we know so far
With his belief Jesus was from God, it could not be said that none of the Pharisees or none of the rulers believed.
This adds weight to his testimony

4. Nicodemus Believed Jn 3:3, Born Again
Else one cannot see kingdom of God
Not by physical Birth
No Jew had right to the Kingdom by Birth!
Must be born again
Jesus will explain all this in the following verses
Nicodemus Believed

5. Nicodemus Believed Jn 3:4-8, The Rebirth By Water and Spirit
A Spiritual Birth
Jesus uses Figures of Speech, non-literal language
Not Physical Rebirth
Nicodemus misinterpretation
Not by being a Jew
Nicodemus Believed
Some want to make this a physical birth vs. angels, and such; not so; the point it, the Jew will have not greater right to the kingdom than any other. They must do…. Before entrance. Entrance is not automatic, because of birth, no inheritance here.

6. Nicodemus Believed Jn 3:4-8, The Rebirth Born of Water and Spirit
Jesus Instructed his Apostles to Baptize
Mk 16:16, Jesus teaches: he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.
Mt 28:19-20, Jesus tells his disciples to baptize and make disciples of all men.
Lk 24:47, repentance and remission of sins be preached
Acts 2:38
Nicodemus Believed

7. Nicodemus Believed Jn 3:4-8, The Rebirth Born of Water and Spirit
Baptism was Instructed by Apostles
Acts 2:38, Pentecost
Acts 8:35-39, Ethiopian eunuch
Acts 10:48, Cornelius
Acts 22:16, Paul
II Pet 3:20-21, Noah, the like figure.
Rom 6:4, arising from baptism is to be born of water and spirit.
Col 2:12, we are buried with him in baptism and risen with him.
Gal 3:27, put on Christ
Rom 6:3-5, We are baptized into Christ’s death
Nicodemus Believed

8. Nicodemus Believed Jn 3:4-8, The Rebirth Born of Water and Spirit
A recreation, renewal, regeneration
II Cor 5:17, Any man that is in Christ is a new creature.
Tit 3:5, saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit
Eph 5:26, cleanse by the washing of water by the word.
I Cor 6:11, but such were some of you but you were washed … you were justified by the spirit of God.
This is Baptism
Nicodemus Believed
Especially Titus 3:5

9. Nicodemus Believed Jn 3:4-8, The Rebirth Entering Kingdom of God
Defining difficult Greek language of Vs. 3
“See Kingdom”
Acts 2:37-47, Baptized Believers were added to the church
The Kingdom of God
Nicodemus Believed

10. Nicodemus Believed Jn 3:13-17, Salvation Analogy Jesus Raised Up
Brought salvation
Num 21:4-9, The Fiery Serpent Raised up
Brought Salvation
Question:
Who received Salvation?
When was Salvation Received?
Nicodemus Believed

11. Nicodemus Believed Jn 3:13-17, Salvation Analogy
“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life”
Who was promised Salvation in Num 21?
Those who look upon it, shall live
When did they receive Salvation in Num 21?
when they beheld the serpent of brass, he lived
Nicodemus Believed
Example of God’s graces; Conditions to Grace.

12. Nicodemus Believed Jn 3:13-17, Salvation Analogy
“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life”
Who was promised Salvation in Acts 2?
Those who Repent and are Baptized
When did they receive Salvation Acts 2?
when they Repented and were Baptized
Nicodemus Believed
Example of God’s graces; Conditions to Grace.
Saul of Tarsus: Acts 22:16

13. Nicodemus Believed Summary Gospel of John
Jn 20:31, That You May Believe

14. Nicodemus Believed Summary Jn 3:1-2, Nicodemus Believed Jesus
a Pharisee
a Ruler
“no man can do these miracles except God be with him”
Believed he was from God
Was he in the kingdom? No he was not yet born again of the spirit.
He believed Jesus was from God but he has not yet believed to the point of obedience

15. Nicodemus Believed Summary: Jn 3:1-17, Jesus Message to Nicodemus:
In Kingdom
Not those born a Jew – of the flesh
Jew’s Belief – Physical Birth
Jesus Said – Spiritual Birth
Acts 2:37-38, 47, after Baptism the Lord added to the church

16. Nicodemus Believed Summary: Jn 3:1-17, Jesus Message to Nicodemus:
In Kingdom
Those born again – of the spirit
Eternal life
Those who believe and obey
Who received Salvation in Num 21?
Those who looked upon it
When did they receive Salvation?
When they beheld the serpent of brass
Analogous to salvation offered by Jesus

17. Nicodemus Believed Summary: Jn 3:1-17, Jesus Message to Nicodemus:
In Kingdom
Those born again – of the spirit
Eternal life
Those who believe and obey
These are synonymous terms
Acts 2:37-47, These teachings enacted
Entrance to The Church

18. Nicodemus Believed Lessons
Entrance into the Kingdom of God is not by birth
Family religion will not get us in
Our own faith
Our own obedience

19. Nicodemus Believed Lessons When are we Born Again?
When we are transformed, recreated, renewed, regenerated, BAPTIZED!
Here we see John teaching entrance into the kingdom of God by Baptism
Just like the other 3 gospels!

20. Nicodemus Believed Lessons
Jn 3:36, He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. 

21. Nicodemus Believed Lessons Do you believe Jesus enough to Obey him?
Have you been “Born Again by the Spirit”?
Entrance into the Church
Have you “looked upon the Cross”
Salvation from the debt of sin
If you believe Jesus you will be “born of the Spirit”; you will “Look Upon the Cross”
Not just a statement of faith; not just that he was a prophet, or son of God. Do you believe him to obey him.