THE NEW BIRTH

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 16, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 28.

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“Study to show thyself approved unto God.”

Lesson V.—Sabbath, August 1, 1896.

THE NEW BIRTH.

Lesson Scripture, John 3:1–15, R. V.

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, 2 a ruler of the Jews; the same came unto him by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God; for no man can do these signs that thou doest, 3 except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born 4 anew, he can not see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and 5 be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he can not 6 enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born anew. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the voice thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh, and whither it goeth; so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these 10 things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou the teacher of Israel, and understandest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and bear witness of that we have seen; and ye receive 12 not our witness. If I told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended out of heaven, even the Son of man, which is 14 in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the 15 wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth may in him have eternal life.

QUESTIONS.

Who was Nicodemus?
To whom did he come? When? How did he begin his talk with Jesus?
What apparently irrelevant reply did Jesus make?
By what inquiries did Nicodemus show his pretended misapprehension of the statement of Jesus?
What explanation was given to him?
What great law of heredity was then declared?
What exhortation was given?
What illustration is introduced?
What inquiry revealed Nicodemus’ ignorance of spiritual things?
What reproof did Jesus administer?
With what certainty did Jesus say that he spoke? Was his testimony received?
What inquiry did Jesus then make?
Who has ascended up to heaven?
What was lifted up by Moses? Of what was this a type?
Why is the Son of man lifted up?

NOTES.

1. “THE mind is an invisible agent of God to produce tangible results. Its influence is powerful, and governs the actions of men. If purified from all evil, it is the motive power of good. The regenerating Spirit of God, taking possession of the mind, transforms the life; wicked thoughts are put away, evil deeds are renounced, love, peace, and humility take the place of anger, envy, and strife. That power which no human eye can see, has created a new being in the image of God. . . . The power of the Holy Spirit transforms the entire man. This change constitutes the new birth. . . . Human nature is vile, and man’s character must be changed before it can harmonize with the pure and holy in God’s immortal kingdom. This transformation is the new birth.” “Not even a respectable life, and a respectable religiousness besides,—this is not to be reborn; this is but to be mended, patched.” There must be “the communication of life by the Spirit of God.”

2. The “must” of verse 7 finds its complement in the “must” of verse 14. God “must” make provision for whatever “must” be done in us.

3. “You have resolved to give yourself to God. Now go to him, and ask that he will wash away your sins, and give you a new heart. Then believe that he does this, because he has promised. Through this simple act of believing God, the Holy Spirit has begotten a new life in your heart. You are as a child born into the family of God, and he loves you as he loves his Son.”—Steps to Christ, pp. 51, 54.

4. Position does not necessarily imply a fitness for the work. One may be “the teacher of Israel” (R. V.), and yet not know “these things.”

Suggestions for Further Study.

Nicodemus said, “We know,” but Christ said, “I say unto thee.” What is the force of this change from the plural to the singular?
Two teachers are mentioned,—“a Teacher come from God,” and “the teacher of Israel” (R. V.). Note the difference between them.
The “life” of chapter 1:4 is now spoken of as “eternal life.” This is one of the key-words of this Gospel. We shall have occasion to study it carefully.