John Bible Study Lesson 3

John Bible Study Lesson 3

1. Read John 3 about Jesus meeting with Nicodemus. What did Jesus mean by the saying "born again"?
In John 3:1-13 , Jesus is having a conversation with Nicodemus, who was a Pharisee. Jesus spoke to Nicodemus in accordance to the Pharisee’s teaching- to be born of water meant to be born physically. This is proved by Nicodemus remark who thought to be born again meant a physical birth “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born? In verse 5, Jesus proceeds to say, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, you cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus, who was a Pharisee, believed like the other Jews that because he was born a Jew and kept God’s ordinances that he should automatically enter into the kingdom of God. However, Jesus explains this is not enough. In verse 6, Jesus Himself interprets the water as flesh (a physical birth) "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." Jesus says of being born of water is to be born of the flesh. Jesus explains the difference, telling Nicodemus you have already had a physical birth, you are in need of a another birth “Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' Literally from the Spirit above to enter the kingdom. You must be born again “that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." The new birth from above is a second birth which gives us eternal life

V.5 The new birth is invisible, he likens it to the wind. It is not from the water beneath (the flesh) but of the Spirit (literally, in the Greek, from above). He is contrasting the natural (flesh) to the spiritual (Spirit).

There is always a distinction between water and Spirit baptism. Scripture tells us that John came baptizing in water but that, “There is one who will come after me. . . He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mk. 1:7-8; Mt. 3:11; Jn. 1:33). The flesh and the spirit are two different properties, two different things. So there are two births- one of the flesh and the other of the spirit that comes from God. John 3:6-7 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'

The term born of water is used only once by John but the term born of  God (the Spirit) he uses numerous times.

I Jn 4:7: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God” This is the love of God shed in a believers heart by believing the gospel.

I Jn 5:1: “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.” This of course has to do with the gospel.

I Jn 5:4: “ For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-- our faith” The new nature of the spirit of God has our affections change toward God and not toward the fallen world.

I Jn 3:9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. ”

I Jn 5:18: “We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.” There is life change where one lives more in righteousness than they do in the old way of life in sin. John explains this in I Jn 2:29: “If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him” And Paul teaches this through the book of Romans especially chapter 6-7

Romans 7:6 “But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.”

The Bible teaches that a man is “born of God” (Greek- EK - out of). This description occurs four times in John’s epistle alone, 1 Jn. 3:9, 4:7, 5:1,4. In all the instances where the source of the new birth is mentioned, the language is EK Him, EK God, or EK Spirit. John 1:12-13, we receive Christ by believing in His name, “not born by the will of man . . . but of God.” Nowhere in the Bible does it say that God uses creation (born of water) as part of conveying the new birth. The Greek preposition (“out of”) is never used elsewhere in connection anything else but its source which is God Himself.

In John 3:3, the term “born-again” literally means “to be born from above,” is what happens by Jesus sending His Spirit to those who respond to the gospel. The very essence of regeneration is by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is an unseen work that one receives when they believe, they are then sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13).

Born of God” To be begotten of God- to have his life, that is eternal along with the characteristics born anew is to love God and will certainly translate in loving the brethren. 1 Pt.1:22; 2 Pt.1:3 tells us we have been given His divine nature v.:5-8 “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The context of Jn. 3:5 must be related to Jesus’ previous statement in Jn. 3:3 :“Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” There is only one new birth mentioned in this verse and it is from the Spirit as other Scriptures uphold. John 3:6-7: "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again. .”

2 )John 3:14. relates to what Old Testament event? Give scripture reference, explain the event and relate to the context of John 3.
As Moses lifted up - He shows the reason why he descended from heaven, that he might be lifted up, i.e. crucified, for the salvation of man. kind, and be, by the appointment of God, as certain a remedy for sinful souls as the brazen serpent elevated on a pole, Numbers 21:9, was for the bodies of the Israelites, which had been bitten by the fiery serpents in the wilderness. It does not appear to me that the brazen serpent was ever intended to be considered as a type of Christ. It is possible to draw likenesses and resemblances out of any thing; but, in such matters as these, we should take heed that we go no farther than we can say, Thus it is written. Among the Jews, the brazen serpent was considered a type of the resurrection - through it the dying lived; and so, by the voice of God, they that were dead shall be raised to life. As the serpent was raised up, so shall Christ be lifted up: as they who were stung by the fiery serpents were restored by looking up to the brazen serpent, so those who are infected with and dying through sin are healed and saved, by looking up to and believing in Christ crucified. These are all the analogies which we can legitimately trace between the lifting up of the brazen serpent, and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The lifting up of the Son of man may refer to his mediatorial office at the right hand of God.

3.Explain John3:16.
John 3:16 Yea, and this was the very design of God's love in sending him into the world. Whosoever believeth on him - With that faith which worketh by love, and hold fast the beginning of his confidence steadfast to the end. God so loved the world - That is, all men under heaven; even those that despise his love, and will for that cause finally perish. Otherwise not to believe would be no sin to them. For what should they believe? Ought they to believe that Christ was given for them? Then he was given for them. He gave his only Son - Truly and seriously. And the Son of God gave himself, Gal 4:4, truly and seriously.

4. Explain John 3:18. John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned - Is acquitted, is justified before God. The name of the only - begotten Son of God - The name of a person is often put for the person himself. But perhaps it is farther intimated in that expression, that the person spoken of is great and magnificent. And therefore it is generally used to express either God the Father or the Son.

5. Explain John 1:29, "behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world". John 1:29 He seeth Jesus coming and saith, Behold the Lamb - Innocent; to be offered up; prophesied of by Isaiah, Isa 53:7, typified by the paschal lamb, and by the daily sacrifice: The Lamb of God - Whom God gave, approves, accepts of; who taketh away - Atoneth for; the sin - That is, all the sins: of the world - Of all mankind. Sin and the world are of equal extent.

6. Explain Jesus statement "I am the bread of life", John 6:35, 48.

John 6:35:I am the bread of life - That is, the bread which gives life, and preserves from death. He that cometh to me - The person who receives my doctrine, and believes in me as the great atoning sacrifice, shall be perfectly satisfied, and never more feel misery of mind. All the guilt of his sins shall be blotted out, and his soul shall be purified unto God; and, being enabled to love him with all his heart, he shall rest, fully, supremely, and finally happy, in his God.

In John 6:47-51 The advantage of the manna was small, it only referred to this life; but the living Bread is so excellent, that the man who feedeth on it shall never die. This bread is Christ's human nature, which he took to present to the Father, as a sacrifice for the sins of the world; to purchase all things pertaining to life and godliness, for sinners of every nation, who repent and believe in him.

7. Discuss the "feeding of five thousand" in John 6.

SCRIPTURE: (JOHN 6:1-14):Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

VERSE 1 - "After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias."

The Sea of Galilee has had a number of names over the centuries, but most seem to think it was called the Sea of Galilee during Jesus time. The city of Tiberias is believed to have been founded around 20AD.

The name of the sea is still the "Sea of Galilee" in our time, but at that particular time in history may have been known as the Sea of Tiberias.

VERSE 2 - "And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick."

John specifically refers to these signs as the healing of the sick; and these signs are what led these people to follow, and seek Jesus.

VERSE 3 - "Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples."

Jesus would have been traveling eastward, so the mountain mentioned would be in what is now the Golan Heights, bordering Syria.

And there He sat with His disciples.

VERSE 4 - "Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand."

Regarding chronological order:

Our last study 'the Pool of Bethesda' is believed to have been during the "Feast of Tabernacles', if so, the feeding of the five thousand would have been approximately six months later.

This Passover is thought to be one year later than the one we studied in John 2:13 where Jesus cleansed the temple.

So again, here He was sitting with His disciples on this mountain,

And verses 5-6:

VERSES 5-6 - "Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat? He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do."

So why would He ask Philip this question? (can't you just see Jesus setting this up)

He certainly knew that in the practical sense there was no good way to feed this many people in this remote area, but perhaps it was because Philip lived nearby (in Bethsaida) that He chose to ask him the question.

Jesus was often called Master, Rabbi, or Teacher; In addition to the teaching and working miracles, for most of the three and a half years of His ministry He was also preparing and training His disciples for the ministry. They were receiving an accelerated course in the New Testament doctrine for their future ministry.

Philip and the other disciples, were about to receive a new lesson.

So, in verse 7:

VERSE 7 - "Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii[a] would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little." (dih-NEHR-ih-igh)

Philip gave a practical 'common sense' answer, didn't he. "Two hundred denarii" was what some have figured out to be the equivalent of 200 days meager earnings in his time. (maybe equal to our minimum wage nowadays?)

Then Andrew spoke up,

VERSES 8-9 - "One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9"There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?"

(Fish and bread were staples, few people could afford meat)

Andrew took the same view as Philip' the only difference is that he knew of someone who had a little food.

The only response from Jesus was:

VERSE 10 - "Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number."

So this mountain had grass, which had to make a better seat than the rocks that are typical for that area.

John says there were about five thousand men, but the Greek term used here is gender specific, meaning that only the men were usually numbered, so the whole crowd, including men, women and children, could have been four times that number.

To put this in context:This crowd was nearly as large as was the capacity of the largest theaters in the major cities of that time, (such as Ephesus). The seating capacity of the Roman coliseum was between 50,000-70,000, probably the largest in the world.

So, that's a lot of hungry people isn't it?

But verse 11 says:

VERSE 11 - "Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks he distributed them to those who were seated; also the fish, and as much as they wanted."

Jesus accepted these loaves from the boy and gave thanks for them. It was customary among the Jew to give thanks before and after the meal.

VERSE 12 - "And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, "Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost."

So this wasn't a symbolic meal, or even a snack, it was a full meal, and they collected the leftovers. Even though Jesus could miraculously reproduce this food, He gathered it up, so that it wouldn't be wasted.

VERSE 13 - "So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten."

Twelves baskets full is more than they started with.

And there were 12 baskets of fragments left-over. Again, others who have studied the references see the number of baskets "12" as being significant, or relative to the 12 tribes of Israel in the desert.

Maybe it is, what do you think? Twelve baskets - Twelve tribes, Moses feeding people - Jesus feeding people. Bible scripture is intensely connected

It's amazing how the scriptures are so associated, that they tie events together that are sometimes hundreds of years apart. In this case it would have been over 1400 years ago, (between 1440 and 1400) were the years of the exodus and wandering in the desert.

That's so interesting, isn't it!

So, in verse 14:

VERSE 14 - "When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, "This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!"

They said, "This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!" and they were right.

what they were referring to was the scripture in DT. 18:15 where Moses was prophesying to the people: "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen..."

(Moses had told them there would be a prophet like himself)

Then they began to follow Jesus hoping for more free food.

But, wasn't that a natural thing for them to do? They saw Jesus do what appeared to them to be the same thing Moses had done. (actually it was God)

These people had recognized Jesus as being the one in Moses' prophesy, and were hopeing to secure a constant supply of food through Him as their forefathers had through Moses.

8. Relate Jesus statement that He is the "bread of life" to the Old Testament "manna". Jesus is the Bread of Life. Just as bread nourishes our physical bodies, Jesus gives and sustains eternal life to all believers.

The day after He had miraculously fed five thousand men, the Jews sought Him eagerly, but their motives were all wrong. They only cared about physical needs. Jesus tells them that He came down from heaven to give eternal life, and that they could have this life by believing in Him. “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).

Jesus explains the sense of the entire passage when He says, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63). By faith we partake of Christ, and the benefits of His bodily sacrifice on the cross and the merits of His shed blood, receiving and enjoying eternal life. It is clear that the Old Testament "foretells" the New Testament, and that the New Testament "fulfills" the Old Testament. Exodus 16 tells us that the Lord sent the manna from heaven every morning, (except on the Sabbath). The people were then responsible for going out and collecting what the Lord had provided for them each day, it could not be saved up, (except for the day before the Sabbath).  It took some daily effort on their part, but this interaction is what sustained them.

Jesus says in John 6:35, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."

In both cases we see God supplying for people, but we also see that each person is then responsible for collecting, or accepting what the Lord has provided.

9. Explain the statement "this is a hard saying", John 6:60.

Many were attracted to Jesus because he offered them something irresitible -- God's loving-kindness and mercy made manifest in his wonderful works of healing, deliverance, and miraculous feeding of the five thousand. Despitee these signs, many stumbled, when Jesus made divine claims. Jesus' discourse on "eating his flesh and drinking his blood" (see John 6:51-59) which pointed to the Last Supper, caused offence to many of his followers. Jesus claimed to be the very life of God come down from heaven and that no one could live this life without submitting to him. Even the apostles admitted that this was a "hard saying".  This expression meant that it was not just hard to understand, but hard to accept.  Jesus pressed the issue with his beloved disciples because he wanted to test their faith and loyalty. Jesus assures his disciples that it is his heavenly Father who invites and who gives the grace to follow even in the "hard sayings".  Jesus knew that some would not only reject him and his word, but would do so hostily, even betraying him to his enemies.

Real faith seeks understanding.  That is why God gives us the help of the Holy Spirit to enlighten the eyes of our mind to understand his truth and wisdom (Ephes. 1:17-18). Jesus offers his life-giving word and Spirit to those who believe and who submit to his authority.  Peter’s profession of loyalty was based on a personal relationship with Jesus.  Through the gift of faith Peter knew that Jesus was the Messiah, the Holy One of God, and he believed in his words. Faith is a response to God's revelation. It's the key to seeing God work in our lives with power. 

10. Compare Peter's response in John 6:66-69 to his response in Matthew 16:13-16.

In John 6:66-71 When we admit into our minds hard thoughts of the words and works of Jesus, we enter into temptation, which, if the Lord in mercy prevent not, will end in drawing back. The corrupt and wicked heart of man often makes that an occasion for offence, which is matter of the greatest comfort. Our Lord had, in the foregoing discourse, promised eternal life to his followers; the disciples fastened on that plain saying, and resolved to cleave to him, when others fastened on hard sayings, and forsook him. Christ's doctrine is the word of eternal life, therefore we must live and die by it. If we forsake Christ, we forsake our own mercies. They believed that this Jesus was the Messiah promised to their fathers, the Son of the living God. When we are tempted to backslide or turn away, it is good to remember first principles, and to keep to them. And let us ever remember our Lord's searching question; Shall we go away and forsake our Redeemer? To whom can we go? He alone can give salvation by the forgiveness of sins. And this alone brings confidence, comfort, and joy, and bids fear and despondency flee away. It gains the only solid happiness in this world, and opens a way to the happiness of the next.

In Mathew16:13-20 Peter, for himself and his brethren, said that they were assured of our Lord's being the promised Messiah, the Son of the living God. This showed that they believed Jesus to be more than man. Our Lord declared Peter to be blessed, as the teaching of God made him differ from his unbelieving countrymen. Christ added that he had named him Peter, in allusion to his stability or firmness in professing the truth. The word translated rock, is not the same word as Peter, but is of a similar meaning. Nothing can be more wrong than to suppose that Christ meant the person of Peter was the rock. Without doubt Christ himself is the Rock, the tried foundation of the church; and woe to him that attempts to lay any other! Peter's confession is this rock as to doctrine. If Jesus be not the Christ, those that own him are not of the church, but deceivers and deceived. Our Lord next declared the authority with which Peter would be invested. He spoke in the name of his brethren, and this related to them as well as to him. They had no certain knowledge of the characters of men, and were liable to mistakes and sins in their own conduct; but they were kept from error in stating the way of acceptance and salvation, the rule of obedience, the believer's character and experience, and the final doom of unbelievers and hypocrites. In such matters their decision was right, and it was confirmed in heaven. But all pretensions of any man, either to absolve or retain men's sins, are blasphemous and absurd. None can forgive sins but God only. And this binding and loosing, in the common language of the Jews, signified to forbid and to allow, or to teach what is lawful or unlawful.