They Told Me I Am Born Again

The question is, who told you that you're the born again that Jesus mentioned in John 3? We've all heard this our entire lives, but hey, when when you look into it, we're not in the context. And today I would like to offer a few points worthy of consideration.

First, the term born again is only mentioned three times in scripture, but according to the church lexicon, you'd think it dominates the word of God, but it doesn't. And as much as the term gets thrown around, you'd think we'd find it about a dozen times or more. But we don't. Three times, that's all. It's in John chapter 3 two times. And in Peter, 1 Peter chapter 1, once each time, now listen, this is important. Each time it refers to national Israel, not us.

Over the years, I've spoken to countless listeners who were blown away when discovering this. John chapter 3. Let's take a look. The verse in question is verses 3 and 7. But let's keep it honest. and in today's study, let's just stay true to context. Let's not disregard the surrounding verses. So, we'll begin in verse one. There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. So, there's our first clue. Nick was a ruler of the Jews.

Right off, we can see that this has to do with the Jews and not the body of Christ. At the time John 3 is speaking of, we were Ephesians 2:12. We we've talked about this many times. Most of you can quote the scripture there, but we were without Christ and aliens from the commonwealth of Israel. We had no connections to their covenants. Here in the book of John, salvation has not been offered to us. And that's why in John 4:22, Jesus said, "Salvation is of the Jews." Makes perfect sense when we trash that old religious mindset, put on our dispensational lenses, and believe God for a change. Just agree with him, and watch the dots connect. Okay, let's stay on track here and keep a a good perspective. Let's not lose sight and see if we can unpack this. The Lord is talking here to Nicodemus, a Pharisee among the people to whom Jesus came. Is that not right? That's a truth that you'll find right here in the same book, John. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. John 1.

Who was his own? The lost sheep of the house of Israel. Just like the lost, let's get that.

 

Just like the lost coin parable in Luke chapter 15, starting here at verse 8. Either what woman having 10 pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it. And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbors together, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found the peace which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is a joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." Hey, that's what Nicodemus and those unbelieving lost sheep Jews needed to repent. Changed their mind about who Jesus was. When reading all the information recorded here in the book of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, don't forget what you're reading. You're reading of a time when Jesus was only sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. You and I are not in the picture. Matthew 15:24. This is something not taught in the brick and mortars, but we're exposing it here today. We've been teaching this for decades. At the time Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are speaking of, Jesus was Romans 15:8, only sent, now listen, only sent to be a minister of the circumcision.

Well, that presents a problem for the born-againers because Galatians 3:28 says, "There's neither Jew nor Greek, bond or free, male or female, in Christ, for we are one in him." That's no distinction. But in John 4:22, salvation is of the Jews. That's a distinction.

Matthew 10:es 5 and 6, Jesus sent out the 12 and said, "Only go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." That's another distinction, right? If you missed this, you have to do it on purpose. Jesus was here to confirm all those Old Testament promises made to the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Okay? In John 3:2, Nicodemus says, "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." Verse three, 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." Now, let's reason through this.

Israel was God's firstborn son, not Jesus. Jesus was God's only begotten son, but Israel was his firstborn son.

Exodus 4:22. So Jesus said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Verse four, Nick replied, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

Well, now that's a logical question, is it not? Nick sounding a little sarcastic here. Verse five, 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." You know, this brings we have some real geniuses out here who can't help but add to the word of God.

They want to make the water here baptism. Even though there's no baptism anywhere in John chapter 3, Jews had a physical birth that came through Abraham. But the point Jesus makes here in John 3 is they were in need of a spiritual birth that could only come through their believing that he is who he claimed to be. They had to be born a second time. But as Gentiles, we are not a part of the firstborn. Therefore, we cannot be born again.

Think of it this way. Born again goes with firstborn. Like new covenant goes with old covenant. born again, new covenant, firstborn, old covenant. Toss that around a bit. Think on that. The only ones who could be spiritually born again are those who were physically born of Israel the first time. Paul never mentioned, not even once, did he write anything about any of us undergoing a second birth, being born again that belongs to Israel. They are the born again with a better covenant and an earthly destination. While we are a new creature with no covenants designed for heavenly places. The division is clear if you'll just take the time and be a workman and work your way through this.

When Jesus said, "Except a man be born of water," he is speaking of the natural birth. How do you know that truth time? By the words of Nicodemus in verse four.

He asks, "Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb?" And Jesus doesn't correct him by saying he needs to alter or or change his question in any way. No, he simply answered him.

Furthermore, we find more confirmation in the next verse. Verse six, that which is born of the flesh is flesh. Think about that. This tells us that the first birth, the born of water, is not having to get with your pastor to make an appointment for a ceremonial baptism.

Nicodemus said, "How can I have my first birth a second time?" And Jesus responded accordingly. He said, "Born of water." Jesus goes on to say, "That which is born of spirit is spirit."

Flesh, water, spirit. He's attempting to help Nick understand by making these distinctions. Distinctions between his natural birth and what would happen to Israel as a nation if they accepted him as the son of the living God. King of the Jews, their Messiah.

First birth, mother's womb. Nick had a mom. Mom had a nick. But the Lord is letting him know that there is need of a second birth, that which is born of the spirit.

Okay. Verse seven. Marvel not that I said unto thee, the Now think about that. The nominative singular. Jesus speaking to one man, Nicodemus.

But watch the next word, ye, which is nominative plural. See that Jesus is telling thee, that's Nicodemus, about ye. That refers to the whole rotten bunch that rejected Jesus.

Ye must be born again. The firstborn all come through Jacob, whose name was Israel. Exodus 4:22. He was God's firstborn. Nicodemus was born of Israel.

Verse one says, "A ruler of the Jews." So the Lord tells him, Nick, you and the others like you, you got to be born again.

This was never about Gentiles. when those of the nation Israel that accepted their Messiah, when they're resurrected, they'll be born again. And this is what the Lord is trying to get across to Nicodemus here in John 3. If the firstborn is Israel, Exodus 4:22, then it wouldn't be far-fetched to say the born again is also Israel.

That's who Jesus came for. Matthew 15:24, lost sheep of the house of Israel. He came to recover the lost sheep of the firstborn, the house of Jacob. That's not you. And the quicker you get this, the quicker your spiritual eyes, your eyes of understanding will open to other things. Paul said to consider what he said, and the Lord will give you understanding in all things. 2 Timothy 2:7.

It's the Luke 12:32 little flock to whom God is going to take pleasure in giving them their earthly kingdom. And here in John 3, Nicodemus is not a part of the flock.

Okay, it's getting good. We're here on this truth trail and the dots are starting to connect. Let's move on. Let's address another time born again is spoken of.

We're simply here on truth time searching the scriptures to see if if we are the born again. We've heard it our entire lives. Born again, born again, born again. Church tradition told us that was us, so it must be true, right?

1 Peter 1:23, Peter says, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." Once again, where are we when it comes down to it? Religion taught us to ignore context when writing a letter. The opening salutation should be very important,

should it not? And to Peter, it was. He made it plain who the born again crowd is. In the very first verse of his letter, 1 Peter 1:1, Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithnia.

Ah, so the born again are the scattered strangers throughout these places. So all we need to do now is to find out who the scattered were. How do we do that? Go ask the Baptist preacher, the Catholic Pope perhaps.

Acts 11:19. Watch: Now they which were scattered abroad upon persecution that arose about Steven traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, preaching the word to. Now watch this. Preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

You see that the born again is in reference to the scattered Jews that went about preaching to the Jews only.

And here today we have millions will fill the church thinking that as soon as they get to that page in their Bible where it says New Testament everything that follows is about them. Yet here we are well past Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and all the way in 11 chapters into the book of Acts, and they're still preaching to none but unto the Jews only.

 

When we stand context, we can't go wrong. Up till now, you've sat on the pew and just nodded. But today, we're trying something different. Comparing scripture with scripture instead of preacher with preacher.

If you're saved, yet you think you're the born again in John chapter 3, hey, we disagree, but we're certainly thankful to call you a brother or a sister in Christ.

The main ones I'm really concerned with is the born again crowd who are not saved because they went to the verses describing Israel's salvation looking for their salvation and ended up putting their faith in the wrong thing.

The Bible must be divided. Divided between prophecy and mystery, between Israel's national salvation and our individual salvation. The instructions are different.

All right? We'll talk more about this another time. If you've never given up on self and put your trust in the risen Christ and his finished crosswork, you're not a saved by grace through faith member of the body of Christ. I hate to break that to you, but it's not too late. So, do that today.

But if you have, there's nothing that can affect your salvation. You're eternally secure in Christ Jesus. And don't allow anyone to trouble you concerning the salvific assurance you have in him.

Ephesians 5:2. I was reading this earlier. Love this verse. Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.

Walk in love, guys. Walk in love. And remember, you only get two educations.

The education you were given and the education you give yourself. Grace and peace.