Meaning of the New Birth

MEMORY VERSE: “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” —John 3:16

JOHN 3:1-15

NICODEMUS, a ruler in Israel, had been greatly impressed by the miracles that Jesus had performed. To him these “signs” gave evidence that Jesus was a teacher sent from God, and he said so. Jesus replied to him, saying, “Except a man be born again [margin, ‘from above’], he cannot see the kingdom of God.” In the kingdom of God there will be both rulers and subjects. Since Nicodemus was a ruler in Israel, it was appropriate that Jesus should explain to him one of the requirements for sharing in the rulership of God’s kingdom. When that kingdom is established it will not be necessary for its subjects to be “born again” in order to attain everlasting life.

It is surprising that Nicodemus did not understand what Jesus meant by being born again. It is doubtful that Jesus’ disciples, prior to Pentecost, would have understood this. Jesus explained further that the new birth was one of “water” and of the Holy Spirit. Water is used in the Scriptures as a symbol of truth—divine truth, the truth of God’s Word—and it is through this truth that the Holy Spirit operates in connection with the new birth.

In the Greek language the word for birth is gennao. This word is also properly translated “begat,” or “beget.” One must determine from the context whether the beginning of a new life, as in begetting, or the completion of that life, as in birth, is referred to. In the case of dedicated believers there is first the begettal, then the nourishment and growth of the new life, and finally, in the resurrection, the birth.

Jesus explained further: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” This simply means that one “born of the Spirit” has become a spirit being and is no longer human. This is borne out by Jesus’ further explanation: “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”

In other words, one who is “born of the Spirit” is, like the wind, both powerful and invisible. In the resurrection Jesus was born of the Spirit, and he was able to go and come invisibly as far as his disciples were concerned; yet he exercised power in various ways, such as entering rooms while the doors were locked.

Nicodemus asked, “How can these things be?” In Jesus’ reply to this question, he said to Nicodemus, “If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?” Most of Jesus’ teachings during the brief period of his ministry pertained to “earthly things,” that is, the earthly blessings which were to be showered upon mankind during the thousand years of his kingdom. It was these blessings that he illustrated by his miracles. But the teaching of Spirit birth was among the heavenly things.

Many fail to recognize that, in addition to the calling of believers in this age to “heavenly things,” to joint-heirship with Christ as rulers in his kingdom, there will also be earthly blessings for all mankind as subjects in that kingdom. The Jews, as a nation, had not been given a heavenly hope. They knew, as Jesus said, that no man had ever ascended into heaven; so it was not surprising that Nicodemus did not grasp Jesus’ lesson with clarity.

Jesus did not fail to remind this Jewish ruler of the future earthly blessings which, in the kingdom, would reach all mankind. He said, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the, Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” What a glorious prospect this is for the sin-cursed and dying race!

Our memory verse, which follows immediately, reminds us that this glorious provision for the world of mankind was prompted by God’s love. Even though man had sinned and was condemned to death, the Heavenly Father did not cease to love his human creation. Because of this love he sent his Son to redeem the race from death. The life provided by Jesus’ being lifted up on the cross is yet to be made available to all, upon the basis of belief.

It will be during the thousand years of Christ’s kingdom that the vast majority of mankind will have their first opportunity to believe. Then the knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth, and the greet fact of divine love as expressed through the ransom will be testified to all mankind.—Isa. 11:9; I Tim. 2:3-6

QUESTIONS

What aspect of Christ’s kingdom can be attained only through Spirit birth?

Who will be the subjects of that kingdom?

Explain the difference between “earthly things” and “heavenly things,” as mentioned in the lesson.

When will all mankind have an opportunity to believe?

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