John 3:4-8 Nicodemus said to him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?… The translation of the soul from "death to life," "from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God," is ascribed to the Holy Spirit. I. Its necessity. 1. As natural birth is necessary to our present existence, so also is spiritual birth to our spiritual existence. 2. Unless we are born of the Spirit we "cannot see the kingdom of God." Spiritual things are spiritually discerned. 3. Without this birth no man "can enter the kingdom of God." Nominal membership in the Church will not save us. It is only as we are spiritually born that we may confidently hope to enter heaven. II. ITS NATURE. 1. It is divine or spiritual in its origin: "That which is born of the Spirit is spirit." 2. It is a supernatural change, "Except a man be born again," or, as in the margin, "from above." 3. It is the impartation of a new principle of a spiritual life, "Whereas I was blind, now I see." Before the change we "were dead in trespasses and sins"; but after it we are "made alive unto God." 4. It is a cleansing of the soul from all sin in the blood of Jesus Christ. (L. O. Thompson.) Parallel Verses KJV: Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? |
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