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Chapter 3

Chapter 3. Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 3. The kingdom of God ought to be our ultimate goal (John 3:3, 5)! The kingdom is mentioned three times in the gospel of John (3:3, 5; 18:36). Jesus presents the kingdom as that which we must endeavor to “see” and “enter.”

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Chapter 3

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  1. Chapter 3

  2. Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 3 • The kingdom of God ought to be our ultimate goal (John 3:3, 5)! • The kingdom is mentioned three times in the gospel of John (3:3, 5; 18:36). • Jesus presents the kingdom as that which we must endeavor to “see” and “enter.” • The kingdom of God is the church (cf. Matt. 16:18-19; Col. 1:13, 18). • One enters the kingdom/church through baptism (John 3:3, 5; 1 Cor. 12:13).

  3. Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 3 • The new birth is plainly defined and easily understood (John 3:1-9)! • There is one birth composed of two essential elements (water and Spirit)! • Both elements are equally necessary! Jesus said this “must” be done (John 3:7)!

  4. Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 3 • Bible baptism is immersion! • The Greek word itself (baptizo) means “to immerse, submerge, dip.” • “To be born of” indicates a “coming out of/raised” (cf. Rev. 1:5; Col. 2:12; Rom. 6:4). • John chose a place to baptize “because there was much water there” (John 3:22-23).

  5. Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 3 • The love of God is too wonderful and too powerful to fully comprehend or appreciate! • GOD – SO – LOVED! • What did man do? “Men loved darkness rather than light” (John 3:19)! • “God did NOT send His Son into the world to condemn the world…” (John 3:17)!

  6. Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 3 • Light & darkness are frequently contrasted in John (1:4-9; 3:19-21; 8:12; 12:35-36, 46). • Light represents truth, understanding, the presence of Christ. • Darkness represents sin, evil, wickedness, error. • Light/Truth are always shown to drive out darkness/error. • Living in either realm is a choice (see “practicing” and “does” in John 3:19-21). • God’s plan of salvation, involving both faith and baptism, is plainly taught! (see next section)

  7. An Overview of John 3Theme of John 3: “Salvation Is of God” • Man’s Salvation Is Tied To: • The kingdom of God – seeing it; entering it (Jn. 3:3, 5). • Eternal life (John 3:15, 16, 36). • Being saved (John 3:17). • Not perishing or being condemned or suffering the wrath of God (John 3:15-18, 36).

  8. An Overview of John 3Theme of John 3: “Salvation Is of God” • Man’s Salvation Required the Death of Jesus! • Like those bitten by serpents (Num. 21:6-9), man is dying – this time in sin! • “Even so MUST the Son of Man be lifted up” (John 3:14; cf. 12:32-34). • The Greek word for “must” is dei, and it means something is “necessary.” • Man’s salvation would be impossible without the death of Jesus! It was/is a must! • God sent His Son, “that the world through Him might be saved” (3:17; cf. Acts 4:12).

  9. An Overview of John 3Theme of John 3: “Salvation Is of God” • Man’s Salvation Requires Faith! • “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life” (John 3:15-18, 36). • This chapter says much about believing. Notice the emphasis: • “Believes in Him...in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (3:15-18). • Man can only be saved through Christ (John 3:17)! We must follow Christ’s plan! • John 3 does not teach or even imply that salvation is by faith alone!

  10. An Overview of John 3Theme of John 3: “Salvation Is of God” • Man’s Salvation Requires a Decision! • John the Baptizer found his joy, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (3:30). • Greek word dei – i.e., “It is necessary for Him to increase. I must get out of the way!”

  11. An Overview of John 3Theme of John 3: “Salvation Is of God” • Man’s Salvation Requires Baptism! • Baptism is not optional in the plan of God! • “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (3). • “Unless one is born of water & the Spirit, he cannot enter…” (5). • “You must be born again” (John 3:7). • To be in the family of God, one must be “born” into it (Jn. 1:13; 1 Pet. 1:23; 2:2). • Compare the word “unless” in John 3:2 about Jesus with John 3:3, 5 about baptism. • Compare the word “must” in John 3:14 about Jesus, with John 3:30 about John the Baptizer, and with John 3:7 about baptism.

  12. An Overview of John 3Theme of John 3: “Salvation Is of God” • Man’s Salvation Requires Action! • John ties (1) Jesus’ death with (2) our response to lead to (3) eternal life. • Our response is one of believing and obeying! • The emphasis in John 3:12-18 is on believing (seven times in those verses). • The three verses that follow (3:19-21) emphasize deeds: “loved,” “their deeds,” “everyone practicing,” “does not come,” “his deeds should be exposed,” “does the truth,” “comes to the light,” “his deeds may be clearly seen,” “done in God.” • Within the same context, John emphasized faith & deeds! Both are necessary!

  13. An Overview of John 3Theme of John 3: “Salvation Is of God” • Man’s Salvation Requires Action! • In the last verse of the chapter, believing and obeying are considered equals! • John 3:36 contrasts believing in the Son and not obeying the Son. • In other words, to “believe in the Son” is to “obey the Son.” • True faith and true obedience go hand-in-hand. One cannot exist without the other!

  14. How Chapter 3 Helps to Fulfill the Overall Purpose of the Gospel of John • Jesus Is Affirmed to Be from God! • “We know that You are a teacher come from God” (John 3:2). • “For no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him” (3:2). • “He…came down from heaven…” (John 3:13). • “He who comes from above is above all…” (John 3:31). • “…He who comes from heaven is above all” (John 3:31). • Jesus Is Affirmed to Represent God! • Jesus is “the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16). • “What He has seen and heard, that He testifies” (John 3:32). • “He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true” (3:33). • “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God” (John 3:34). • “The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand” (3:35). • To believe in Christ is to believe in the Father. To believe in the Father is to believe in Christ. To reject Christ brings condemnation & the wrath of God (36). • When one truly believes in the name of Christ, eternal life is his (3:15-16, 36)!

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