Man Who Never Mentioned Salvation Again

abril 22, 2022 Postar um comentário

Bible Question:

I have heard explanations almost 'existence built-in of h2o and the Spirit' using Ezekiel 36, merely they seem to be too much of a stretch. In light of Genesis ane:2-iii and 2 Corinthians four:half dozen, could existence 'built-in of h2o and the Spirit' simply mean being made 'a new creation'? Is it incorrect to teach others like that?

Bible Reply:

There are diverse opinions most the meaning of the phrase "born of water and the Spirit" in John 3:v.

Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to yous, unless one is built-in of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:five (NASB)

In that location are three primary opinions as to the meaning of this phrase. The context of any passage of Scripture helps us determine the meaning. Therefore, we must remember that in John iii:iii-4 Jesus told Nicodemus that he had to be born again in order to meet the kingdom of heaven. Then Nicodemus asked how he could be built-in a second fourth dimension.

Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless 1 is born over again he cannot come across the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man exist born when he is erstwhile? He cannot enter a second fourth dimension into his mother'southward womb and be born, can he?" John three:3-iv (NASB)

Can a human enter his mother'southward womb a 2nd time in order to be born again? These two verses help u.s.a. understand the meaning of the phrase "born of h2o and the Spirit."

Born of water and the Spirit - John 3:5

First View – Amniotic Fluid and The Holy Spirit

The first view believes the phrase "born of h2o and the Spirit" refers to being born once more in John three:3. That is, the amniotic h2o corresponds to "born of water" and "the Spirit" refers to the Holy Spirit. Advocates of this view reason that "born of water" refers to the concrete nativity and "the Spirit" refers to a Christian'due south spiritual birth. Thus, believers are born twice or "built-in again."

There are 2 major problems with this view. Offset, there is no scriptural support for this view. Since neither the Old or New Testaments take a similar statement, there is no supporting evidence for this theory. Second, when John 3:3 refers to being "born again," information technology does non refer to being built-in twice. The Greek word for "born again" is anothen which literally means "built-in from above." John 3:7, 31; 19:11; James i:17; three:15, 17 incorporateanothen. Almost every Bible translation, including the KJV, translates the give-and-take as "from to a higher place" in each passage. That is, Jesus told Nicodemus that he had to exist built-in from above. Nicodemus' reply reveals that he was confused and did not understand. He did non think about a spiritual birth; merely instead he idea about physical birth. This view has serious issues.

2nd View – H2o Baptism and The Holy Spirit

Others claim that "built-in of water and the Spirit" refers to Christian water baptism and the Holy Spirit. They state that Jesus was instituting h2o baptism as a requirement for salvation and the Holy Spirit as and so imparting new life through regeneration (Titus 3:five-6).

Withal, in that location are four reasons why this view is wrong. Offset, baptism for eternal life was never taught by John the Baptist or Jesus Christ. It is non possible to find any poesy that connects eternal life with baptism. It is important to discover that John 4:1-2 tells us that Jesus "was not baptizing." If baptism was and then essential for eternal life, why didn't Jesus baptize? Second, Romans 6:ane-7 teaches usa that baptism is a symbol of identification of a Christian dying to his or her old cocky and ascension to new life in Christ. It was non instituted for the church building until afterward the death of Christ. Third, Nicodemus would not accept understood Christian baptism since it was not taught in the Old Attestation and was not taught until subsequently Christ's death and resurrection. The quaternary reason to reject this view is that if baptism is so essential to gain eternal life, why is baptism never mentioned again in John iii or a following chapter in the book of John? Why did Jesus not include baptism in John 3:xvi or in verse 36? Fifth, the major passage that is usually quoted as proving Christian baptism is necessary for salvation is Acts 2:38. But what is normally missed in the estimation of Acts 2:38 is that repentance is interchangeable with saving religion (Luke 5:32; 13:5). Repentance is not identical with saving religion, just repentance and saving faith occur together. Therefore, to assume that baptism is what saves a person, makes baptism the existent requirement for salvation and ignores John iii:xvi; Romans 5:i-two and Ephesians ii:eight-10 which teach that organized religion is required for eternal life. Since Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches that we are not saved past works, this excludes baptism equally being necessary for salvation.

Third View – Cleansing From Sin and New Life Past the Spirit

The third view recognizes that Nicodemus would have been familiar with Ezekiel 36:25-27 since he was a teacher of State of israel (John iii:10). Yet, he still did not sympathize the verse in its fullest sense. Ezekiel 36:25-27 reads equally follows,

Then I will sprinkle clean h2o on yous, and yous will exist clean; I volition cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will requite you a new centre and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the center of stone from your flesh and requite yous a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. Ezekiel 36:25-27 (NASB)

The most important bespeak about this passage is the repeated statement of "I volition." Notice that we are told God will "sprinkle clean h2o on you," "cleanse you from all," "give you a new heart," "put a new spirit inside in you," "remove the centre of stone," "put My Spirit within you" and "cause you to walk in My statues." Now we will discover the meaning of these actions that God performs for Christians. Sprinkling make clean water symbolizes forgiveness of sins. Washing with water was commonly associated with purification among the Jews (John 3:25-26). Hebrews ane:3 and 2 Peter ane:9 illustrates that purification also symbolized the forgiveness of sins. Ephesians v:26 illustrates this truth. Titus 3:5 connects the washing of water with the ministry building of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. In fact the message of John 7:37-39 is that living water is as well symbolic of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we should empathise Ezekiel 36:25-27 as the work of God. God the Begetter forgives and the Holy Spirit regenerates and renews every true Christian. The Holy Spirit dwells inside each believer. Who volition cause this to happen? The answer is our God above!

Now call up that Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born "from above." John ane:13 repeats the same truth that salvation is the work of God and not something that we perform.

But equally many as received Him, to them He gave the correct to go children of God, even to those who believe in His proper noun, who were born, not of claret nor of the volition of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John ane:12-13 (NASB)

Notice the passage says we are born by the volition of God. Nosotros are non in command. Our human wills are non the deciding factor.

Conclusion:

Jesus' message to Nicodemus was that salvation is the piece of work of God and not the work of man. Salvation comes from above and involves human choice — human will. It is also important to detect that in John 3:6, Jesus teaches that spiritual life or eternal life is the result of the Spirit and not the piece of work of man. At this bespeak some individuals worry that they might non be able to get a Christian. But the message of the passage is that if yous believe in Christ and desire to get a Christian, then you demonstrate that God has already caused y'all to be born from above. He has chosen y'all and John three:sixteen is true for you!

If you are not a Christian, we encourage you to read "Searching for God" and/or contact us.