Originally posted by Frank:
dk:
The Greek language doesa not use the definitive article nor say the Holy Spirit. John 3:3-5 does not declare, or imply it is the Holy Spirit. That is an assumption. No, I do not agree the text teaches that becasue the language does nto support it. In view of the Greek language, how can you say it is the Holy Spirit?
Frank
John 3:5 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.
The word for "Spirit" is "pneuma," the same word used in each case when referring to the Holy Spirit. Notice also that it is capitalized both in verses 5 and 6. The whole point of what Jesus is talking about here is the new birth, being born from above, being born into the family of God, by the agency of the Holy Spirit. How do you deny that the word "Spirit does not refer to the Holy Spirit?" If it does not refer to the Holy Spirit then what does it refer to?
Jesus teaches that there are two types of birth: one which is of the flesh, and one which is of the Spirit (verse 6). Every one of us are born of the flesh. That is how we got into this world. But not everyone is born of the Spirit. Thus Jesus says, in verse 7, "You must be born again." You must be born into God's family. He was speaking to Nicodemus, who came to Him privately at night for fear of the Jews. The last thing that would have been on Nicodemus's mind would have been baptism. That does not even fit with the context. There is no hint of baptism in this entire discourse. He tells Nicodemus 3 times that he must be born again. There are two kinds of birth. You have been born once, of the flesh; you need to be born again--of the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the third person of the triune Godhead. Have you been born of this Holy Spirit? If you have not, you are not born again, and will not enter the Kingdom of God. You will not enter Heaven. You are not saved. You must be born of the Spirit!
Now Jesus did say in verse five, "except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." First, be sure that you must be born of the Holy Spirit. Secondly recognize that in the matter of salvation, water is always symbolic. Jesus is talking about entering the Kingdom of God. Water, taking a bath, using a combination of hydrogen and oxygen, is not going to get me, you, or anyone else to heaven or the Kingdom of God. If that's what you believe, you are superstitious indeed. Your belief is no different than the Hindu, who believes that by washing in the Ganges River, he can wash his sins away. Water does not wash away sins, the blood of Christ does (1John 1:7). Water is symbolic. Jesus never expected Nicodemus to take water literally? How could he? What was Nicodemus supposed to do after that. We have the record that Nicodemus believed, but no record that Nicodemus was baptized.
Water is symbolic of the Word. Check the references that I have already given you.
Jesus says, "Ye are clean through the Word that I have spoken unto you." (John 15:3). The Word cleanses, just like water. It is symbolic. Look also at 1Peter 1:23.
Water cannot wash away sins!
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
"As many as received Him" I received Jesus Christ, not when I was baptized, but when I, by faith alone, trusted Him as my Saviour. At that time He made me one of His sons ("even to them that believe on his name"). What happened at that time. Look carefully at verse 13. I was born...not of the will of man (which includes baptism), but of God. I was born of God. I was born again of God's Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirt, the third person of the triune Godhead, came and took up residence within me, and began to change me.
1Cor.6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
Rom.8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
If you have not been born again by the Holy Spirit of God, the third person of the triune Godhead, then you are "none of His," and cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.
DHK
[ June 06, 2002, 03:44 AM: Message edited by: DHK ]