Title Page. Lesson Five John 3:1-3 1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said

Title Page

Lesson Five

John 3:1-3

John 3:1-31 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:4-7

John 3:4-74 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?5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.6 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 again.

John 3:8

John 3:88 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.

Acts 2:38

Acts 2:38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Focus Verse

John 3:5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Focus Thought

We can only experience the new birth of water and Spirit when we obey the

instructions of Jesus Christ.

IntroductionIntroductionEverybody loves a baby. There is no event in the human family that quite equals the advent of a child. Parents know that something about the birth of a child into a family makes everlasting memories and knits together the family. Children are a blessing from the Lord, and so it is when Zion travails and new children are born into the kingdom of God. Nothing revitalizes a congregation more effectively than the church giving birth to a new babe in Christ.

IntroductionThe Master has articulately laid out before the world a beautiful plan for the redemption of mankind. However, one must believe His plan and act on it by faith if he is to partake of it. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). The new birth is a life-changing event that must be experienced to be believed, and believed to be experienced!

IntroductionIn this lesson we will examine the declarations of the Lord concerning things vital to entering the kingdom of God. We are living in a time when individuals seek to live without absolutes, but the Lord gave some absolutes concerning the new-birth experience. Some people want to treat the kingdom of God as though it were a democracy. It is, rather, a theocracy. The Lord has given us the opportunity to be saved; consequently, He also has given us the pattern. He told Nicodemus emphatically that without the new-birth experience no man could see the kingdom of God.

IntroductionThere always are people who attempt to circumvent the laws of society and of God, but there is no way to avoid the single gateway of entrance into the kingdom of God. A person may not enter His kingdom by any other means. The writer of Hebrews posed a great question: “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him” (Hebrews 2:3). Nicodemus heard Him. The apostles heard Him. Modern-day Pentecostals have heard Him as well. Jesus said, “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” (John 3:7).

I. The Seeking Sinner (A-B)The Seeking SinnerA. Nicodemus Inquired

Nicodemus was a member of the ruling body of the Temple known as the Sanhedrin. Apparently, he must have been well respected among the Jewish hierarchy.

I. The Seeking Sinner (A-B)Nicodemus was, by all evidence, a sincere, thinking man. He also was obviously a truth seeker. Nicodemus was like many people in our day—curious, cautious, and even skeptical. Jesus spoke to him in strange terms about being born again. It was not unusual that Nicodemus questioned Jesus, “How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” (John 3:4).

I. The Seeking Sinner (A-B)The idea of a new birth was a revolutionary concept. It certainly required some ideological tolerance on Nicodemus’s part as it challenged both his logic and his faith in the Almighty. When Nicodemus questioned the idea of a new birth, Jesus quickly clarified the concept of that wonderful experience.

I. The Seeking Sinner (A-B)B. Jews Inquired

“These are not drunken, as ye suppose” (Acts 2:15). It is obvious from Peter’s response that the Jews were skeptical about the activities in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost. The report of the happenings caused an uproar of the people when it was “noised abroad.” Consequently, they came to inquire as to the meaning of such behavior.

I. The Seeking Sinner (A-B)The Scriptures record that there were representatives of some seventeen different languages and dialects present on the Day of Pentecost. This gave the newly Spirit-filled apostle Peter the opportunity to introduce the newborn church of Jesus Christ to the world.

Acts 2:41

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same

day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41).

I. The Seeking Sinner (A-B)The Jews in Jerusalem on that particular Pentecost would have been greatly preoccupied with the events that recently had transpired at the time of the last Passover. Jesus was very popular among the common people, and they probably had widely discussed both the facts and many speculations about what happened on Golgotha and at the garden tomb. Many people probably discussed the mystery of the rent veil of the Temple, the claims of hundreds who had seen Jesus alive, and who had seen Him ascend into heaven.

I. The Seeking Sinner (A-B)Perhaps the Jews were curious and ready to converge on anything that possibly could explain some of the mysterious, recent events, exonerate their actions against Jesus, or at least shift the attention of the people. The news of the happenings in the upper room was certain to enhance the interest of the people.

I. The Seeking Sinner (A-B)It is interesting to note that the apostle Peter cut right to the point of their inquiries by bluntly stating, “These are not drunken, as ye suppose” (Acts 2:15). They were not drunk; they had been filled with the Holy Ghost!

I. The Seeking Sinner (A-B)Some people today often presume that Pentecostals are vexed, devil possessed, or delusional when they are moved upon by the Holy Spirit. The philosophies of individuals do not bow easily to the spiritual realm. Some people want to deny or defame the moving of the Spirit. However, the new-birth experience was destined and designed to change both traditional, religious Jews and pagan Gentiles into blood-bought, Spirit-filled believers. The work of the Holy Spirit through the new birth transforms unregenerate and wicked individuals into new believers who are changed dramatically by the power of Jesus Christ in their lives.

II. Jesus Gives the Command (A)

Jesus Gives the Command

A. You Must Be Born AgainThe sinful soul cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Consequently, it is clear that a person must be changed, restored, and redeemed to regain a spiritual relationship with the Almighty. Adam and Eve lived in a perfect world with a perfect environment, and they enjoyed a perfect relationship with God. However, disobedience introduced sin and changed everything.


God had created mankind in His likeness and in His image. Mankind had the capacity to think, analyze, and ultimately choose between right and wrong. God had desired neither puppets nor slaves. He wanted someone to love Him just because. Joan Ewing penned and Murrell Ewing recorded a heartfelt song titled “Just Because.” It conveys a beautiful message from the heart of God.

II. Jesus Gives the Command (A)“Can’t anybody love Me, just because?

Do you need a reason at all?Please don’t love Me for pity, or just for what I’ll do.If you need a reason, tell them, I first loved you.”


All was not lost in mankind’s plunge into sinful disobedience. God already had devised a way to restore mankind to a perfect state of relationship with Him. The fulfillment of this plan was what Jesus referred to as the new birth in His conversation with Nicodemus. The idea of being born again could be understood only in a spiritual context. Moreover, Jesus made it clear that the new birth was not optional to those who would see the kingdom of God. It is an absolute imperative.

John 3:7

“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” (John 3:7).

II. Jesus Gives the Command (A)Must is an emphatic command given by the Lord to

everyone who desires salvation. Jesus softened no words, but He was crystal clear: “Ye must be born again.” There is no room for speculation or doubt. Can anyone say, “I wonder if it really means me”? Clearly, those who would be saved must be born again of water and of the Spirit!

II. Jesus Gives the Command (B-D)

B. Explains How This Happens

Jesus knew that Nicodemus’s question required spiritual understanding, so He clarified the fundamentals of the new birth by stating, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

II. Jesus Gives the Command (B-D)That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that

which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:5-6). Jesus enlightened Nicodemus by revealing that the new birth is a spiritual experience. Unregenerate mankind must be born again—a spiritual new birth. Nicodemus understood the impossibility of returning to the womb of his mother, but Jesus revealed the idea of a heavenly birth.


Some people have observed the similarities between natural birth and spiritual birth. Both natural and spiritual beings are in darkness prior to birth, and both are dependent on the mother for their birth. As one receives natural nourishment from the womb of the mother, the other receives spiritual nurture from the Word of God, delivered by the church. Just as physical birth evokes excitement and frenzied involvement of all concerned, so the spiritual birth of a new child of God creates enthusiasm and joyous celebration. The family of God rejoices when one person is born again!


C. Born of Water and Spirit

Jesus’ revelatory statement to Nicodemus in John 3:5 presented His plan for all mankind. As essential as water is to human life, so is it absolutely necessary for spiritual life. Baptism in water in the name of Jesus Christ is fundamental to the new birth. It is noteworthy that Jesus considered water baptism so vital, He was compelled to lead by example and be baptized by John the Baptist.

II. Jesus Gives the Command (B-D)In addition to baptism in water in the name of

Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, it also is necessary to be born of the Holy Spirit. Spirit baptism and water baptism in Jesus’ name are essential elements of the new-birth experience.


D. Warning to Disobedient

Jesus said, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). Cannot is an unyielding term—an ultimate decree regarding the impossibility of someone gaining salvation in any other way or by any other means.


The word cannot follows the word except, which means “apart from.” In other words, apart from being born again, one cannot enter God’s kingdom. This is another clear indicator of the intent of the Lord in His instructions to Nicodemus, and it serves as a solemn warning to the disobedient. There is no latitude for those who would decide that the Lord really did not intend to imply that to be born again was essential.


There are religions and philosophies in our world today that scoff at the concept of a spiritual new birth. They would rather follow the inclinations of the human mind and will than to be subject to spiritual directives. Humanistic views seek to have preeminence over moral and spiritual values.

II. Jesus Gives the Command (B-D)Man’s will, however, must bow eventually to the

will of the Almighty. A person will be hopelessly lost unless he respects the plan that the Lord laid out for Nicodemus. God will not tolerate the wanton and willful disobedience of sinful individuals.

Hebrews 9:27

“It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”

(Hebrews 9:27).

III. Jesus Gives Peter the Keys (A)

Jesus Gives Peterthe Keys

A. Peter Identifies JesusOne might wonder what Peter experienced in coming to his conclusion concerning the identity of Jesus Christ. After all, the disciples reported that some had said He was “John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets” (Matthew 16:14). But Jesus put Peter to the test—not inquiring as to what others said, but as to what Peter himself believed.


Perhaps Peter astounded the others when he confidently replied, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Jesus said, “Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 16:17). This was the monumental revelation of the ages—the answer for which all Israel, and indeed all creation, had been searching since Adam’s fall in the Garden of Eden.


Jesus knew Peter’s unsophisticated background and knew that such a revelation of eternal truth had not originated with human logic. Human logic would not have been able to provide such a measure of spiritual understanding.

III. Jesus Gives Peter the Keys (B)

B. Jesus Commissions Peter

Jesus immediately announced His intention, purpose, and mission to Peter. “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

III. Jesus Gives Peter the Keys (B)

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:18-19). Jesus endowed Peter with divine authority and commissioned him to become the spokesman of the fledgling church.

IV. Peter Uses the Keys (A)Peter Uses the Keys

A. Repent

Faith and repentance comprise the first step toward a relationship with God. Repentance is the act of changing or turning around. It begins early in the process of one’s turning toward God and continues throughout his lifetime. Some people believe that repentance is the ultimate experience, and indeed it initiates an exhilarating relief of pent-up guilt; but it is only the initial beginning of the whole adventure.

IV. Peter Uses the Keys (A)The vain pride of the human heart vigorously resists repentance. Nobody readily likes to admit that he or she is wrong or sinful. However, God’s Word clearly states that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Admitting our guilt is a first step toward God.

IV. Peter Uses the Keys (A)A man once came to his pastor and stated flatly, “I know how to fill up this beautiful building in less than one year!” Of course, the pastor was intrigued. The member continued, “Pastor, all you have to do is stop expecting everyone to do that repenting stuff. Most people like their lives just the way they are. If you would just quit preaching about repentance so much, we could be a big church in no time” (Anonymous).

IV. Peter Uses the Keys (A)Some people may not have knowledge of all the reasons that repentance is important, but mankind has a conscience that is capable of deciphering between right and wrong once knowledge has had time to activate it.

IV. Peter Uses the Keys (A)On a fishing trip with his employer one afternoon, a Holy Ghost filled man was asked by the boss, “Why does everyone think that a man should be a church member? I am not. When people ask me where I go to church, I just say Riverside Baptist!” The employee told him that he didn’t know where that particular congregation was. The boss said, “Why, you’re sitting on the front pew right now—here in this boat on this river!”

IV. Peter Uses the Keys (A)The believer was a little disconcerted and embarrassed for this well-educated friend. The gentleman went on, “I decided years ago that if God didn’t like me just the way I am, then it’s His loss, not mine. I like myself just like I am. I have a nice home, a good wife, great kids, a good job, a fine boat, and a great place to fish. What more could a man want? No, Sir! I am not willing to make any changes in my life. If God can’t take me just as I am without any changes, then I don’t need Him!”

IV. Peter Uses the Keys (A)Peter realized that repentance was a primary key to entering the kingdom of God. He was a perfect example of the miracle of repentance, for he had denied the Lord three times following the arrest of Jesus. Still, he was able to repent and renew his relationship with Jesus.

IV. Peter Uses the Keys (A)There was a phenomenal difference between the man called Peter before Pentecost and the apostle Peter after Pentecost. Peter was a man who had experienced repentance and received forgiveness. With a voice of experience, Peter could emphatically declare, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). He had just experienced the life-changing quality of Pentecost by being born again!

IV. Peter Uses the Keys (B)B. Be Baptized

Second, Peter stated that one must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. No less important than repentance, water baptism is the physical and public demonstration of one’s faith and obedience to Jesus Christ. Through baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, a person experiences spiritual adoption and takes on the family name of all believers. Moreover, water baptism is not optional, but it is a biblical mandate and a necessity.

IV. Peter Uses the Keys (B)The Bible is specific concerning the necessity of water baptism. Acts 2:38 expresses a clear and certain commandment. Clearly, baptism is a vital aspect of one’s salvation experience, for the apostle Peter later wrote, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 3:21).

IV. Peter Uses the Keys (B)Not only did Peter instruct believers to be baptized in water for the remission of sins, but he further instructed them to do so “in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:38). Jesus is the only name “given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

IV. Peter Uses the Keys (B)Some would argue that water baptism should repeat the words of Jesus from Matthew 28:19 rather than the words of the apostle Peter from Acts 2:38. However, their position reveals a lack of understanding on several points. First, Jesus was not giving the formula for water baptism; He was instructing the believers in principle as to what they were to do, not how they were to do it. When one examines the verse carefully, he will observe that baptism is to be in the singular name, not the titles, of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

IV. Peter Uses the Keys (B)Second, only one name fulfills Jesus’ command by singularly associating with the titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost—the name of Jesus. (See Matthew 1:21; John 5:43; 14:26.) Jesus is the only name that will accomplish the command of Matthew 28:19! Finally, when Jesus gave the keys to the kingdom of God to the apostle Peter, He delegated to him the responsibility to preach the gospel message and open the door to New Testament salvation. (See Matthew 16:18-19.)

Acts 4:12

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men,

whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Philippians 2:11

“And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to

the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11).

IV. Peter Uses the Keys (B)Certain individuals relegate the name of Jesus Christ to a secondary place of importance in relation to the baptismal formula. They sometimes accuse apostolics of toying with semantics; however, it is much more serious than only a difference of opinion over the use of certain words. Actually, apostolics are only endeavoring to be true to the biblical text and its intention. Clearly, the apostles understood the meaning of the Lord’s last earthly commandment. They understood that commandments are to be obeyed, not just repeated.

IV. Peter Uses the Keys (B)One sage preacher of the gospel once defined the difference in this manner when asked if he could clarify his insistence of the absolute necessity of verbally using the name Jesus while baptizing. He replied, “Brother, if your front door was standing open, and you told your boy, ‘Go close the door’ and your son looked at you and said, ‘Go close the door,’ did he obey you, or did he just repeat what you said?

IV. Peter Uses the Keys (B)And is the door now closed, since he just repeated your commandment instead of obeying it? That is the real difference in speaking the name of Jesus over a candidate or just repeating the commandment. The Father’s will has not been followed and the job is not done!” Anonymous

IV. Peter Uses the Keys (B)The recitation of the name is absolutely required in order for a person to obey the great commission. Jesus intended that all who come to repentance should be buried with Him in baptism in the likeness of his burial. (See Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12.)

IV. Peter Uses the Keys (C)C. Receive the Holy Ghost

Finally, Peter utilized the third key to the beginning of a spiritual relationship with God: “Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).

IV. Peter Uses the Keys (C)In Acts 19, the apostle Paul encountered believers in Ephesus. Paul inquired of them, “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost” (Acts 19:2). The apostle clearly demonstrated his expectation that believers should receive the Holy Ghost! He stated this prerequisite to salvation in another way to the believers at Rome: “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9). Only those who are filled with the Holy Spirit and follow His leading are children of God (Romans 8:14).

IV. Peter Uses the Keys (C)Incredibly, there are people today who still do not believe that receiving the Holy Ghost is essential to salvation. It would be like a person trying to fire a rocket without fuel. Who could imagine a Rapture without the Holy Spirit? The Holy Ghost is the rapture fuel of the Bride. It is the oil in the lamp of believers. The Holy Ghost is the promise of the Father (Luke 24:49). The Holy Ghost is the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel (Joel 2:28-29). The Holy Ghost is the earnest of our inheritance! (Ephesians 1:14).

IV. Peter Uses the Keys (C)The Lord sent the apostle Peter to the household of Cornelius to reveal God’s plan to redeem Gentiles. It is important to consider Cornelius’s words to Peter when he stated that the angel had told him to send for Simon Peter and that when he came, he would tell Cornelius words whereby he and his house would be saved (Acts 11:13-14).

IV. Peter Uses the Keys (C)Cornelius was a praying and a giving man whose alms had come up to God for a memorial. Yet, he was not saved! Moreover, had he not needed the message of salvation, the services of Peter would have been unnecessary. But God loved Cornelius and the Gentile people enough to open to them the plan for their redemption.

ReflectionsJesus summarized the entire Bible in just these few words: “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7). It is the desire of God that all people everywhere be born again of the water and of the Spirit!

ReflectionsNicodemus came to Jesus by night, evidently hoping to be unnoticed. His encounter with Jesus yielded significant truth for all people—that all must experience the new birth if they are to be saved. The gospel of Jesus Christ has been revealed, and it informs us of the plan of God for salvation. The truths unveiled in Peter’s message on the Day of Pentecost are still vital and available today; our generation can enjoy the same spiritual experience that the followers of Jesus enjoyed in the upper room.

ReflectionsNicodemus’s questioning of the Lord, and Peter’s message on the Day of Pentecost, revealed the opening of the door to heaven’s greatest treasure—the new birth, which includes repentance of sins, water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and receiving the Holy Ghost. Individuals everywhere must be born again if they are to enjoy eternal life!

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Title Page. Lesson Five John 3:1-3 1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said