I have a question.
In the born again passage this statement is made by none other than, Jesus.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
What did Jesus mean when he said, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh,"?
This is stated in response to Nicodemus' statement:
John 3
King James Version (KJV)
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 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.
4 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?
Now in all fairness to Nicodemus, I have heard it said that it was not actually physical birth in view, but a metaphorical analogy of a religious man...starting over.
But I take the view Nicodemus was genuinely asking this question based on the Lord's response.
The Lord goes on to say:
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.
Because we have water baptism, some think the Lord refers to Baptismal Regeneration, meaning one has to be water baptized in order to be saved. Some believe the Spirit is given at that time.
Because there is water at physical birth, some think the water in view is that associated with physical birth, hence the Lord is saying "One must be physically born and born of the Spirit to enter the Kingdom of God.
Neither of those are true because we cannot substantiate either a necessity for water baptism (though some try) nor a doctrine that suggests that babies that die in miscarriage or abortion are sent immediately to Hades to await eternal separation in Gehenna (Hell).
Keep in mind that water is often used in correlation with the Spirit of God in the New Testament, such as we see here (c.r. in green):
John 7:37-39
King James Version (KJV)
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
And we will see that again later in the post, but back to our current text:
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.
The stipulation given is being born of water and the Spirit, which Nicodemus, as a revered teacher of Israel should have known, should have immediately called to mind the promise of God in the Hebrew Scriptures:
Ezekiel 36:22-27
King James Version (KJV)
22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, thus saith the Lord God; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.
23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.
24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Instead, Nicodemus' response, in my view, is impertinent. Nowhere in Scripture is there anything that would generate such a response if Nicodemus did in fact consider Christ a "teacher from God." If he did, then he would have searched the Scriptures in order to find a relevant correlation.
And the key verse of your question:
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
In other words, "Nicodemus...you know the difference between physical birth and being born of the Spirit."
Christ is not teaching Nicodemus the difference here, I believe, rather, it is a rebuke for his impertinence.
There is no correlation between the two, as it is a given that no-one who has not been born physically will enter the Kingdom, which brings me to a point I wonder whether you have previously considered before: what Kingdom, if Nicodemus searched the Scriptures...would be in view in this conversation?
Would it be the Kingdom which Christ came to establish in building the Church?
Or would it be the Kingdom promised to Israel, which promise the disciples inquire about in Acts 1?
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 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..."Don't be amazed I would say you must be born again, Nicodemus, because you should know that God has promised cleansing and regeneration will be associated with that Kingdom. Regeneration by the Spirit is just like the wind, you know it's happening, but it is not a visible event like physical birth is."
Exactly what was the process of this birth?
It is exactly like it is stated in the promise in Ezekiel 36: it is not done because of the one that benefits from it, but for God's Name's sake. It is a cleansing which gives not a restored heart or a restored spirit, but both are new (hence we are new creations, not remodeled). It is God indwelling us that we might not only understand His will...but do it. That is what Ezekiel tells us, and Paul reiterates this:
Titus 3:4-5
King James Version (KJV)
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
We see that it is through God's kindness and love towards man, which is manifested in the Incarnation, that is...God with us.
Not by works of righteousness, but again for God's Holy Name's sake, He bestows mercy (unmerited on our part) and saves us. and that salvation is by the washing, the cleansing of regeneration (new birth) and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which is a reference, in my view, not in the Holy Spirit renewing us, as that is seen in the previous statement (washing of regeneration/new birth), but the renewal of the relationship with God that was lost in Adam which is accomplished by the indwelling of God in the believer.
Again we see the imagery of water associated with the Holy Spirit, which is not literal water of Christian Baptism, but the cleansing that is effected through the indwelling of God at which time we are made new creations.
And I would add that if you read Matthew 3 you will see three mediums referenced, water (John's Baptism unto repentance), fire (clearly judgment of the unrepentant, as this is contrasted with chaff which is burned up), and the Holy Spirit (clearly this is salvation in Christ because it refers to the wheat which is gathered into His Garner).
Another reference to water as a New Testament cleansing agent is seen here:
Ephesians 5:25-27
King James Version (KJV)
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Continued...