Tag: Good News

New Birth: Part 2

Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council, came to Jesus:

Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God {as} a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.“

Nicodemus *said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?”
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.“

John 3:1-8, NASB

The English words “Truly, truly” are stated four times. Jesus was emphasizing that the new birth is absolutely necessary to become and Chrisitan and go to heaven. “Truly, truly“

above are translations of the Greek word amēn:

Amēn occurs 151 times in the New Testament (KJV).

The Hebrew word ‘āmên occurs 30 times in the Old Testament (KJV):

When we say “Amen” in English, it is a triple transliteration, from Hebrew to Koinē Greek to English. It is a very strong word doubled, as Jesus used it. In this passage of scripture, Jesus is telling Nicodemus—and us—that it is absolutely necessary to be born again to become a Christian. Otherwise, we may profess to be a Christian, be baptized, do the things Christians are supposed to do and still not go to Heaven when we die.

“Born again (gennēthē anōthen)” has been translated “born again,” “born anew” and “born from above,” i.e., by the Holy Spirit,” which the context dictates. The word anōthen is best translated “born from above.”

“Born of water and the Spirit“ (gennēthē ex hudatos kai pneumatos) (NIV) is literally, “born out of water and of Spirit.” Note that Nicodemus is talking about natural human birth and says (knows) that it is impossible to enter one’s mother’s womb and be born a second time. Jesus then replies that one has to be born of water [amniotic fluid] and the Holy Spirit. Both Nicodemus and Jesus are talking about natural human birth. Then, in sequence, Jesus adds that one has to be born into the Kingdom of God by the Holy Spirit.

“Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit” (NIV) indicates that the context has not changed. In order to be saved, the conditions are (1) one has to have been born physically and (2) one must be birthed into the Kingdom by the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit recreates our human spirit and then indwells us. What a wonderful truth that God should condescend to live in us by his Spirit!

The Greek word baptizō (bap-tid’-zo), translated in English, “Baptize” is not found in the scripture quoted above.

Baptizō comes from the verb baptō, which means to immerse. However, the word baptizō is found in thIs passage in Matthew:

After we have been born again (saved) we should be baptized in water. Jesus commanded us to be baptized:

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.“
Matthew 28:18-20, NIV

But, “What about the person who is born again and dies before being baptized? Jesus himself answers that question by giving the example of a man who died before he could be baptized. Jesus was crucified between two criminals, when

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly [amēn] I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.“
Luke 23:39-23:43, NIV

_{This copyrighted material may be reproduced and distributed freely, provided that it is not edited, you do not charge for it, and this disclaimer is included.}

Copyright © 2018 by Dr. John E. Russell

New Birth: Part 1

Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council, came to Jesus:

He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered,“Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ “

John 3:2-7, NIV

A text without a context is a pretext.

“Born again (gennēthē anōthen)” can be translated “born from above,” i.e., by the Holy Spirit, which the context dictates. The word anōthen is best translated “from above,” although it has been translated “again” or “anew.”

“Born of water and the Spirit (gennēthē ex hudatos kai pneumatos) is literally, “born out of water and of Spirit.” Note that Nicodemus is talking about natural human birth and says (knows) that it is impossible to enter one’s mother’s womb and be born a second time. Jesus then replies that one has to be born of water [amniotic fluid] and the Holy Spirit. Both Nicodemus and Jesus are talking about natural human birth. Then, in sequence, adds that one has to be born into the Kingdom of God by the Holy Spirit.

“Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit” indicates that the context has not changed. In order to be saved, the conditions are (1) one has to have been born physically and (2) one must be birthed into the Kingdom by the Holy Spirit!

After we have been born again (saved) we should be baptized in water. Jesus commanded us to be baptized and then to baptize new converts:

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20, NIV

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Copyright © 2019 by Dr. John E. Russell

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall….

2 Peter 1:10, KJV

John Wesley was raised in a pastor’s home. His mother spent an hour per week with each of her children. He was a deeply religious person. He even became an Anglican missionary to the Indians in what is now Georgia, USA. He failed miserably and later he found out why. He had mental assent to Christianity, but did not have saving faith that resulted in being born again.

Once, he was on the ocean in a wooden ship when a horrific storm hit. He was gripped by fear and rightfully so. There was no radio to seek help and if there were, no ship could reach them in time. As far as human help, there was none.

Wesley noticed a group of Moravians aboard the ship, who were calm and singing praises to God. This gained his attention. When he was back in England, he became friends with Peter Bohler, who was the Moravian leader. He confessed that he did not have [saving] faith.

Here are some qotations from John Wesley’s Journal:

I went to America, to convert the Indians; but oh! Who shall convert me? Who, what is he that will deliver me from this evil heart of mischief? I have a fair summer religion. I can talk well; nay, and believe myself, while no danger is near; but let death look me in the face, and my spirit is troubled. Nor can I say, ‘To die is gain!

It is now two years and almost four months since I left my native country [England] in order to teach the Georgian Indians the nature of Christianity. But what have I learned myself in the meantime? Why (what I the least of all suspected), that I who went to America to convert others was never myself converted to God.

I found my brother at Oxford, recovering from his pleurisy; and with him Peter Bohler; by whom, in the hand of the great God, I was, on Sunday, the fifth, clearly convinced of unbelief, of the want of that faith whereby alone we are saved. Immediately it struck into my mind, “Leave off preaching. How can you preach to others, who have not [saving] faith yourself?”” I asked Bohler whether he thought I should leave it off or not. He answered, “By no means.”” I asked, “But what can I preach?”” He said, “Preach faith till you have it; and then, because you have it, you will preach faith.””

I Felt My Heart Strangely Warmed

In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.

Wesley is not alone in his experience. Here are two more examples.

When I was a child, we would to listen to Pastor L. R. Sheldon, who had a Christian program on a New Orleans radio station. He gave an amazing testimony that is indelibly stamped in my memory. He said that he had been a pastor for twenty-five years and never had been born again. Then, he was saved and later pastored a church in New Orleans.

Our pastor told this amazing story. He and and one of his faithful members were out visiting people in their town. They walked up to this house, knocked on the door and were greeted by an older lady. She invited them in. They began to witness to her. She said that she had grown up in her particular denomination, had been baptized and attended church services all her life. As our pastor and his friend began to witness to her, she was shocked to know that she had never been saved. She was gloriously saved. Two weeks later, she passed away.

My friend, do you know that if you were to die, you would go to heaven? You can make your calling and election sure. Please read the plan of salvation and receive Christ now: Now that you are a Christian. There are also instructions that you should follow after you have received Christ.

Please message me if you have received Christ. Tell others that you are now a Christian. May the Lord bless you.

_{This copyrighted material may be reproduced and distributed freely, provided that it is not edited, you do not charge for it, and this disclaimer is included.}

Copyright © 2018 by Dr. John E. Russell

Part II: Parables of the Kingdom

11. The Unforgiving Servant

Introduction

This parable was precipitated by Peter’s question to Jesus,

“… Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

Matthew 18:21-23, NIV

Jesus then presents the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. This parable is found only in Matthew 18:23-35.

The Story

“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king, who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

“The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ He demanded.

“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’

“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.

“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

Matthew 18:23-35, NIV

The story begins with a king settling accounts with his servants. One servant who owed him 10,000 talents was brought before him. The Roman talent was a weight measurement that equals 71 pounds US. Therefore, 71 pounds of gold is $1,252,100.75, based on the current spot gold price of gold $1,209.30 (8 January 2015). His total debt was $1,252,100.75 X 10,000 = $12,521,007,500 (assuming this to be a troy pound):

Since the servant was unable to repay 12.5 billion dollars, the king ordered that he and his family be sold as slaves and all that he had be sold to pay on the debt. The servant fell down before his king and begged him to be patient until he could repay him. The king had mercy on him, forgave the debt and let him go.

The forgiven servant went out and found a fellow servant who owed him 100 denarii ($5,800). He grabbed him, began choking him and demanded that he pay him the relatively small sum. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him to be patient until he could repay him.

The forgiven servant refused to wait and had his fellow servant thrown into prison until the debt was paid.

Other fellow servants saw what had happened and told the king.

The king called in his wicked servant for not having mercy and canceling the insignificant debt as the king had canceled his astronomical debt. The king was furious and had him turned over to jailers to be tortured until his debt was paid.

The Interpretation

The story characters and the real people they represent are:

The debts and what they represent are:

Peter probably felt he was being generous in offering to forgive someone 7 times. (Two Rabbis of that time had taught not to forgive more than 3 times). Jesus replied that we should forgive 77 times, or it could be translated 70 X 7 = 490 times.

Jesus was using a literal figure to represent the Christian attitude of forgiving others.

In this parable, the unforgiving servant was probably a thief:

The king could have been an actual oriental monarch and if so, the figure would have been appropriate. Or, Jesus could have been using hyperbole. Jesus was actually emphasizing the utter hopelessness of our ever paying the immeasurable debt of sin that we owe. Only God can forgive our individual debt of sin.

Barclay sees these lessons:

Jesus taught the model prayer to his disciples and added another teaching:

“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Matthew 6:9-15

Again, Jesus taught about faith and added,

“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Mark 11:23-25, NIV

Central Truth

We must forgive others

As God has forgiven us

Or we will not be forgiven.

Conclusion

Thank God for his grace and forgiveness. Let us ask God to search our hearts and reveal all unforgiveness and grudges. Then, let us forgive everyone and give up all grudges.

Some have said, “I just can’t forgive so-and-so for what he did to me.” Keep in mind that forgiving someone is a decision, not some emotion. Jesus would never said to forgive people if we could not forgive them! Simply forgive those who have wronged us. Then Jesus tells us to pray for our enemies:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Matthew 5:43-48, NIV

Concerning “hurt feelings,” pray for people who wrong us. Give those people a gift—it will transform your hate to love! Dr. McMillen, who served as a medical missionary, says,

If you recall, Jesus did this. He practiced what He preached. When He was giving the best gift the world ever received—His life—He prayed for those who crucified Him:

“…Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.“…

Luke 23:34, NIV

God’s Word always works. It worked for me. My wife had been injured twice and I was angry. I considered suing the guilty party. Then, I obeyed the Lord. I forgave them. My thinking became more objective and clearer. I was set free.

_{This copyrighted material may be reproduced and distributed freely, provided that it is not edited, you do not charge for it, and this disclaimer is included.}

Copyright © 2010 by Dr. John E. Russell