Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews, meaning he was a member of the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was the highest court or tribunal of the Jews. It came into existence sometime during the four hundred year Intertestamental Period between the Old and New Testament. It was first mentioned in history during the reign of Antiochus the Great (223-187 B.C.). It was group of seventy Jewish aristocrats with the high priests as its head. The council was made up of tribal heads, scribes, Sadducees and Pharisees.

           Nicodemus is only mentioned in the New Testament by the Apostle John. The first time he is mentioned is in Chapter 3, when he came by night inquiring as to who was Jesus. The second time John mentions him is when Jesus was in the Temple court addressing the people during the Feast of the Tabernacles. Several of the Sanhedrin were sent to bring Jesus before them, but was so awed by His words they did not comply. Nicodemus defended Jesus and was himself accused of being a Galilean. The Galileans were looked down on by the self-righteous religious leaders of Jerusalem. (John 7:50-52) The last time John mentions Nicodemus is after the crucifixion when he brought spices needed to embalm the body of Jesus. Many conclude that his actions shows he became a believer.

           Nicodemus came to Jesus at night so as not to be seen of the other Pharisees and Jews. Clearly, in his heart he knew that Jesus was no ordinary man. He had seen the miracles that Christ did and heard His message. He states that he knew no man could do the miracles that Jesus did unless God was with him. Nicodemus, being a Pharisee knew the Old Testament scriptures and that Daniel and the prophets had prophesied of the coming of the Messiah. To his credit he was sincerely seeking to find out who Jesus was for himself even though doing so secretly.

           John in mentioning this event is continuing to present the evidence that Jesus was the Messiah. There could be no better witness to the miracles of Jesus Christ than a religious Pharisee. The Pharisee's standing as a man of character and one who could be trusted was impeccable. John's account gives us incite into the thinking among the religious leaders of Israel. No matter how aggressively they outwardly opposed the truth, they knew that Jesus was come from God. They recognized that John the Baptist was truly a prophet of God and that he proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah. But most of them in guarding their own positions a religious leaders and for economic and political reasons rejected God's message and Jesus as their promised Messiah.

           There has been a great deal of commentary written on this passage and much of it gives a false interpretation of Jesus' statements. Jesus makes two statements. First, He said unless a man be "born again" he cannot see the Kingdom of Heaven. Nicodemus understood what the was Kingdom of God, but he did not understand what being "born again" meant and in typical fashion responded with an earthly response. The Kingdom of God was God's promised blessing and salvation to the Nation of Israel. He was plainly puzzled by being told he could not enter the Kingdom unless he was "born again." We must understand that Nicodemus was a good Jew, although unsaved. He thought that his birth as a Jew assured him a place in the coming promised Kingdom. He prided himself in keeping the Old Testament Law and being morally upright and religious. He did not see that entrance into the Kingdom came by a spiritual rebirth and brought about by grace through faith in God's promises. He did not understand the spiritual birth. His response to Jesus shows he had no spiritual understanding of the things of God. He asked the childlike question, how could a man when old, enter the second time into his mother's womb and be reborn?

           Men in the Old Testament were saved in the same way that men today are saved. Salvation has always been a matter of one's believing God and putting their trust in Him. In the Old Testament men were renewed spiritually because they believed God and His promises. Their faith in God promises and revealed truth saved them and they served the Lord because the believed. The Old Testament saints understood that keeping the Law was their responsibility, but that it did not save them. In the dispensation of the Old Testament, believers were not permanently indwelled by the Holy Spirit as believers are today which began on the Day of Pentecost as Acts 2 records. God on that day instituted the local church, and those who in believed Jesus Christ became spiritually born again people. Salvation has always been a matter of spiritually receiving God's truth in belief.

           The Pharisees thought themselves worthy to be a part of God's Kingdom because of their perceived good works. They ignored and refused to see that Isaiah 64:6 applied to them. The verse states, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away" (Isaiah 64:6). Jesus shortly before His crucifixion pointedly condemned these religious leaders of Israel saying repeatedly to them "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. . ." Ten times Matthew 23 records Jesus' poignant words of condemnation. Jesus knew Nicodemus' heart that he did not see himself needing a spiritual birth. Nicodemus saw his self-righteousness as being sufficient to gain him God's approval. Thus Jesus' response to Nicodemus' inquiry was to reveal to him his need of a spiritual rebirth.

           Jesus' reply is often greatly misunderstood. He said ". . .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." (John 3:5) The baptismal regenerationists teach that being born of water refers to water baptism. They look at this passage through the eyes of their false doctrine and incorrectly use this passage to teach a person must be baptized to be saved. Baptism is a ritual, a work and an act that one preforms. The New Testament absolutely teaches that no work of man can merit him salvation. In Ephesians 2:8-9, God refutes this false idea. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). So Jesus, without question, is not talking about being baptized in responded to Nicodemus. Baptism in the New Testament follows repentance and salvation and does not save. Over sixty times in the New Testament God states that one is saved by faith and belief in Jesus Christ without any mention of baptism or any other work of man.

           Being born of water simply refers to being born as a human. Human birth to the Jew meant that he had the favor of God, being God's chosen people. He saw himself as superior to all other peoples on earth. The Jews called all nonJews Gentiles and heathens. The Pharisee, being at the top of the Jewish society, saw themselves as superior even to the lesser or ordinary Jews.

           Jesus was saying to Nicodemus that his Jewish birth (born of water) would not see him into the Kingdom of God, and that he needed to be born spiritually. The implication is clear. Nicodemus was not a spiritual man and was unsaved, lost and dying in his sins. He had not understanding of salvation being a spiritual matter.

           Jesus to made the point clearer stating, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." This statement refutes the idea that Jesus' reference to being "born of water" refers to baptism. He plainly states that which is born of flesh (born of water verse 5) is flesh. Jesus is illustrating His point by comparing human birth with spiritual birth. Human birth gives a man entrance into our physical existence, and likewise spiritual birth is required to enter the Kingdom of God. The verse says nothing about water baptism.

           The next statement of Jesus was "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." Jesus is stating what was very obvious. Nicodemus, though religious had no concept of the spiritual nature of heaven. This is the curse of a works system of salvation. It substitutes the spiritual with human and earthly things of man. It denies a person of the benefits of receiving true salvation and its accompanying spiritual rewards. Jesus was revealing to Nicodemus the Holy Spirit's work in true salvation indwelling the believer and giving him the spiritual nature of God.

The New Birth comes by the Holy Spirit

           The Lord used the illustration of the action of the wind to explain this truth to Nicodemus. He makes the point that the wind blows and a man can hear it, but he cannot tell from where it comes or where it goes. In other words, we can know the wind exists because we can see its affect on the things it touches and the sound it makes. We cannot see the wind, but we can see what it does. The Spirit is invisible to human eyes, but His work or regeneration came be clearly seen. This is the only valid description of the Holy Spirit or God as a Spirit. We cannot see God, but we can see what He does. Jesus said it is the same with those born of the Spirit of God.

           We cannot see the spiritual birth occur, but we can see the result that it has on those who experience the new birth. Nicodemus in his heart was rejecting what Jesus was telling him. Even though the Lord explained it to him, he did not understand or accept this truth. Jesus is saying to him that he could see and know the wind was real and existed. Nicodemus could not see it or know where the wind came from or where it was going, but could know the wind unmistakenly exists. Likewise, though not actually seen, the Spirit also exists and spiritually changed the lives of men.

           Nicodemus puzzled by the nature of the new birth asks how could these things be? He was blinded to the truth by his carnal understanding and self-righteousness. Jesus had plainly had revealed to him that in order to enter into the Kingdom of God a person, even a Jew, had to be spiritually reborn. Jesus' answer is a rebuke of Nicodemus' unbelief and rejection of the truth he has been told. In other words, Jesus reprimanded Nicodemus, because in his mind he prided himself in being a righteous Jew and in his knowledge of the Law. Jesus thus exposes his naivety in so many words saying, "You are a master of Israel and you do not know this?" The word "master" refers to one having the highest education and being one who teaches others. Nicodemus' ignorance of the simplest of spiritual truth was hereby revealed.

           To emphasize the validity of His statement Jesus preferences his following statements saying "Verily, Verily." The Greek word is "amén" which appears fifty times in the New Testament and is transliterated into English as "amen." The word means "truth." Jesus is saying literally , "Truth, truth, we speak that we know." Jesus uses the plural pronoun "we" and many commentators explain that this refers to Jesus and the disciples. It could be a reference to the Trinity.

           Jesus had illustrated the need to be spiritually reborn by using earthly examples. He had referred to need for being born into the earthly existence as a example of also needing to be born into the spiritual existence. He had also used the illustration of the wind as an example of the working of the Holy Spirit in the spiritual new birth. Nicodemus did not understand either illustration. Therefore, Jesus challenged him by asking how could He tell him of spiritual things when he did not even understand earthly illustrations.

           Christ was showing Nicodemus his blindness to the truth. Nicodemus and the Jews were following the traditions of the rabbis as recorded in the Talmud. The Talmud was a collection of commentaries written by Jewish rabbis on the Torah (Old Testament). Thus Nicodemus, the Pharisees and the Jews were not living by God's word, but by the words and traditions of rabbis. This was the source of their blindness. They studied and followed their rabbis rather than going to the source and studying God's word.

           In verse 13 Jesus affirms His deity. Nicodemus, surely knew that John the Baptist had declared that Jesus was the Lamb of God come to take away the sins of the world. John's statement was clearly an assertion of Jesus' deity. John was saying Jesus was the One, the promised Messiah. Nicodemus had recognized that Jesus was no ordinary person in his first statement to Jesus that ". . . no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him." (John 3:2) In Israel's history God had preformed miracles through His prophets who were mere men. Jesus, however, states he came from heaven and says no one ascends to heaven, but he that came from heaven.

           Jesus then refers to Himself as the Son of man which is in heaven. This statement is a wonderful truth asserting Jesus' deity. It is almost as if Jesus, in referring to His last statement, was trying to awe Nicodemus by revealing to him a great spiritual truth that he of course could not understand. This statement attests to the Trinity and to Jesus as being omnipresent being both in heaven and on earth at the same time. Jesus is proclaiming His authority to declare the way of salvation. He is God, come from heaven to redeem man from his sins and to reveal to men God's plan of salvation. Jesus is giving the foundation for his next statement concerning Moses lifting up the serpent while Israel was in the wilderness.

           Once again Jesus uses an earthly illustration to teach a spiritual truth. This was an event in Israel's history that Nicodemus surely knew. Numbers 21, records that after God gave Israel the victory over the Canaanites, but the Jews became weary of their journey towards Edom and began to speak against God and Moses. The complained saying ". . .Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread." God chastened Israel and sent fiery serpents which bit the people and many died. Realizing their error they repented and asked Moses to ask the Lord to take them away. God answered their prayers and Moses, following God's instructions, made a fiery serpent of brass, and put it on a pole and pasted it among the people. Those that were bitten when they looked up to the serpent on the pole were healed. The serpent was made of brass and was placed at the top of the pole or ensign. The brass symbolically represents sin that had been judged and forgiven. So Jesus Christ was lifted up on the cross in suffering and dying for the sins of all men, judged sin and offered salvation. As the Jews were to look up to the symbol of judgment on the pole, sinners must look up to Christ for salvation. It was not the brass serpent that brought healing and saved the Israelites from certain death, but the power of God who effected the cure. As God offered no other remedy to cure the bite of the fiery serpents, God offers no other way of salvation, but Jesus Christ and His shed blood on the cross.

           Jesus the gives the application of His illustration in verse 15-16. The one who believes in Him, the Son of man, will not perish but have everlasting life. He and only He is the way of salvation. The Jews who looked on the brass serpent were healed of the snake bite, and likewise Jesus says those that believe in Him will not only not perish, but will have everlasting life. One can only imagine what Nicodemus was thinking as Jesus explained these things to him. Nicodemus, believed the record of the event in Numbers 21, and understood that those who looked on the serpent were healed. He was being challenged to make the connection and to put his faith in Jesus the Messiah who was speaking to him.

           John 3:16 is probably the most memorized and quoted verse in the Bible. Jesus turns Nicodemus' thoughts to God Himself, stating God's love for the world. Jesus proclaims the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the Savior. The word for "love" is "agape" which in the New Testament is the highest expression of caring for another, seeking that person's best interests and of a complete commitment to other's welfare. Of course it has the element of emotion, but it transcends emotional love and is on the highest plain of love of one for another. Jesus said that He, God, loved the which is His creation (John 1:3). Romans 5:8 proclaims this love in that while men were in a state of rejection and rebellion against Him, Christ died for their sins. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) The scope of God's love encompasses the whole world, meaning every man or woman ever born on earth. John proclaimed in his Epistle this truth, "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2). Christ's suffering and death was for all the world and for all the human race. In His love for His creation man, God suffered and died for the sins of men who He, in His foreknowledge knew, would not believe or receive Him as their Savior. This love of God is incomprehensible to us. But we can see the love of God in that He, Almighty God, the omnipotent Creator of the Universe, came to earth, became incarnate in man in order that we could be saved. Paul expressed the marvelous truth of God who humbled Himself to men that He might save them.

"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name" (Philippians 2:6-9).

           God loved man His creation and therefore gave His only begotten Son in order to save man from his sins. God's love for man, however does not mean that God condones man's sin. God is also just, meaning He offers salvation freely to all who will believe and received it, but He also holds man accountable for his deeds. God offers men His grace and mercy, but He does not force Himself on man, nor violate a man's will. If a man chooses to reject God's offer of grace, God allows him to do so, but he hold that man responsible for the life God has given him. Further God does not require men to earn or work for their salvation. Man being a sinner has no righteousness and therefore cannot redeem himself. However, God being righteous, is the only source of salvation and did for man what man could not do for himself.

           Of course at this point in time it is unlikely that Nicodemus understood what he was being told, but later he did believe and most believe he was saved. John 19:39 records that after Jesus' crucifixion Nicodemus bought spices for the embalming of His body. This clearly was the act of one who was endeared to the Lord Jesus. Though John does not specifically record that Nicodemus saw the Christ after His resurrection, he records that many of his disciples did. It is probable that Nicodemus remembered his conversation with Jesus and finally understood the truth that was revealed to him.

           Nicodemus believed like most Jews the way to inherit the Kingdom of God was by birth as a Jew and work in keeping the traditions of the Talmud. Jesus, denies that false idea, by stating that salvation was through belief in Him alone. Jesus' statement totally disregards the Jewish heritage and works as a means of salvation. It was the work of Jesus who would be lifted up on the cross that would bring salvation to men. Only through faith in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, could men overcome sin and the condemnation that accompanies sin. Jesus was saying to Nicodemus that he would not perish and would have everlasting life only if he believed in Jesus. John the Baptist had attested to Jesus's deity and of being the Lamb of God. Jesus had performed miracles that only God could perform. Now Nicodemus heard Jesus' own words that declared to him that He was the Messiah, the Redeemer, and the Savior of the world.

           Jesus referring to Himself in verse 17, says that God did not send His Son to condemn the world, but rather to save the world. Romans 3:10-18 states the condition of all men as being unrighteous and lost in their sins. Man, without Jesus Christ, is condemned because of his sin and unbelief. Jesus in closing this conversation with Nicodemus stated, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36) In verse 18, Jesus states mankind in its natural state exists in unbelief. God states the unsaved who have not believed in Jesus Christ are already condemned by their sin. Jesus also verifies that salvation is received by believing in His name. That means believing in who He is and what He did in atoning for the sins of the world. Plainly, Jesus was saying that a man could by belief in God's Son, could remove the condemnation he was born in and as verse 15-16 state ". . .not perish, but have everlasting life."

           Jesus then stated in verses19-21 why men do not believe and come to the light. The light is Jesus Himself and the knowledge of His offer of forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Light represents truth apart from darkness. John in his first Epistle states, "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). The truth is the Gospel which declares the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Darkness represents living in sin and disobedience apart from God. This Jesus says is the condemnation, ". . .Light is come into the world, but men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." Mankind ignores or refuses to accept the truth when it is revealed to them. Man enjoys his sins and most refuse to give them up. The light is God's truth and the truth reproves men of sin. Light reveals that sin is wrong is both destructive and damning in a person's life. Yet, mankind seeks to gratify their sinful desires disregarding the consequences they innately know will result from their actions. Romans 1:18-24, dispels in notion that man sins blindly and does not know what he is doing.

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves" (Romans 1:18-24).

           Paul declares that all men are without excuse who stand condemned in their sins and trespasses. The verse says that all men "hold the truth in unrighteousness." In other words men know they are wrong in their sins. They know God exists and is a righteous God offering salvation. The reason they are without excuse it is God that takes the initiative to reveal Himself to all men, but men reject God's grace. The truth is shown in our very existence. We can easily see that we are God's special creation. Evolution, which proclaims that man was created by chance from inert matter, is a lame and foolish attempt mask the truth mankind knows. This verse decidedly dispels the idea that some men are atheists. Sadly, the majority of mankind is willingly and with full knowledge rejecting their Creator. God has shown His love for man in coming to earth and suffering and dying for world's sins. Thus, those who reject Him and die in unbelief, go to the reward they chose. The unsaved choose the temporal pleasures of sin, rather than the life God in His graciousness would have for them. By rejecting God men life sorry lives in unrighteousness and miss the eternal joys of heaven. How a horrible and tragic it is when the lost man dies and finds himself in torment in Hades, and realizes what an awful decision he has made.

           Romans 1:28 says that man does not want to retain the knowledge of God in his mind. Jesus here gives the reason. The unsaved do not want their sins to be reproved. False religion testifies this is true. The light of God reveals truth, and the truth rebukes and exposes sin. So man, trying to appease his conscience, creates false gods and religions which condones sin and man's responsibility for his deeds. Deep down though, all men, no matter how categorically they protest, know they sinners and will one day face their Creator.

           After the meeting with Nicodemus, Jesus and his disciples traveled south into Judaea, which is the region of around Jerusalem. Matthew 4:17 records that Jesus preached the same message that John the Baptist was preaching, that being that the Jews should repent because the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand. The passage does not give the numbers who responded to Jesus, but in verse 26 John's disciples stated that "all men come to Him." John 4:2, explains that Jesus Himself did not baptize, but he had six disciples with Him and they were the one's who baptized those who repented.

           John was baptizing in Aenon, which means a "fountain." This fountain was located near the town of Salim (Salem) a place west of the Jordan river where there was much water. This area is believed to be in Samaria, near Scythopolis or Bethshen. The statement that "there was much water there" infers that John's message now was being widely received which facilitated the need for place with enough water to baptize those that responded. However, we must keep in mind that a short time later, the Jews were rejecting Him. How fickle are the hearts of men. John records in chapter 6 that after Jesus feed the multitudes He began to tell them that He was the Messiah. He told them He was the bread of life come from heaven, but the people murmured against Him and soon they all left in mass. Jesus rebuked them saying they did not follow Him because of the miracles He did, which showed He was from God, but because He gave them free bread to eat. It show the common trait among the Jews and their leaders that they were not interested in spiritual things, but only the material things of earth. Probably many of these same people had been baptized by John.

           Verse 24 places this event in the days before John the Baptist was cast into prison by Herod, at the urging of Herodias his illegal married wife. John had rebuked Herod for taking her to be his wife, she being the wife of Herod's brother Philip. Herodias in time would get her revenge in having John beheaded.

           John the Baptist was in the north baptizing near Samaria and word came that Jesus was in Judaea baptizing many Jews. It appears that some of John's disciples were concerned that Jesus' preaching and baptizing was degrading to John. They seem to be zealous remarking that "all men come to him" meaning Jesus. The implication was the Jews were coming to Jesus instead of John. John disciple had a high opinion of him. Was not John the one who had baptized Jesus, not the other way around. But now Jesus was upsurging John. In their minds John was superior to Jesus. Of course they did not understand John's role in declaring that Jesus was " the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world." John had stated earlier who Jesus was that he would was not worthy to even tie His shoe laces, but they had missed his message. This gives us some incite in to the nature of man. John the Baptist was a great and powerful preacher and he clearly and boldly proclaimed God's truth. Many were following him as his disciples and accepting him as a "rabbi" or their teacher, but they did not really comprehend John's message. This is not unlike today when preachers stand in their pulpits weekly proclaiming God's word, yet find their heartfelt message, they so laboriously presented, goes unheeded by most of their congregation.

           John's answer gave total honor to the Lord Jesus. He was not called of God to build a movement or sect among the Jews, or draw men unto himself. Rather John's calling was to proclaim the Jesus as the Messiah. John reminded them of the message they had failed to grasp. He was not the Messiah, but sent before Him as Malachi had prophesied. John's teaching to his disciples was an important truth. A man cannot accomplish anything, unless it is given him from God. John's ministry and calling came from God and he was completely satisfied and privileged to testify as to the Jesus being the Savior of the world, God's promised Messiah. This is the passion of any true man of God called to be a witness for Jesus Christ. It is a wonderful thing for a child of God to be used as a instrument of God's grace in reaching others with the Gospel. John felt the same passion for serving the Lord as did Paul who said, "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!" (1 Corinthians 9:16).

           In verse 29, John uses the illustration of marriage to help his disciples see this truth. In oriental marriage the bride belongs to her husband. The friend, or in occident marriages the best man, of the bridegroom is highly honored to be chosen for that position. The friend of the bridegroom rejoices when he is asked to perform the service of attending to the groom and directing the ceremony. Likewise, John says his joy was full in that God had chosen him to be the forerunner who was announcing the Messiah to Israel. Once again, John declares that Jesus must increase in His position as the Messiah and that he John must likewise decease. John's ministry at this time was not finished.

           John heralds the truth of Jesus's deity. He declares that Jesus came from above is above all. Only God is above all things and this statement asserts Jesus' deity. John in making reference to himself says, ". . .he which is of the earth is earthly" meaning John was simply an earthly man, but ". . . Jesus who came from heaven is above all."

           John avows that he although he testified of that which he has seen and heard and asserted that Jesus was the Messiah few men believed. It is possible that the Apostle John, writing this Gospel at the end of the First Century, was looking back in time and injects that John the Baptist's testimony was only received by a few. Jesus had been rejected by the Jews who blindly followed their false teachers. It confirms that many in the multitudes who came to Jesus when He was performing His miracles and who have been baptized were not truly believers. John could have been alluding to the fact that he recognized that few of his own disciples were really true disciples.

           John in verse 33, shows the transformation that occurs when a man truly believes and receives Jesus as his Savior. The man who is believes and receives Christ's testimony attests to the truth that Jesus is the Messiah come from God. The believer's act of faith in Jesus Christ proclaims who Jesus is. Paul stresses this truth saying, "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14).

           The unsaved man is in his natural state blind and lost in his sins. He lives in spiritual darkness and cannot understand spiritual things and they are foolishness to him. Yet, the one who believes can understand even the deep things of God, because he receives the Holy Spirit who abides in him. The light of God's truth changes a man and makes him a spiritual being.

           Verse 34, personifies the truth that Jesus' message was God's message and that all He said was the very word of God. Men are limited in their knowledge and understanding of truth, yet Jesus was the Light, the Truth and all Righteous One. John was stating that even he was limited in his understanding of Jesus as being God. But there was no such limitation on Jesus or His words. In other words he was telling his disciples they could completely and wholehearted believe the words of Christ and know they came from God.

           In answering the question of his disciples, John declares the Father, loves the Son and has given all things into His hands. The Apostle proclaimed this truth in John 1:3 that Jesus was the Creator. The universe and all in it is sustained by Him as Colossians 1:17 says, "And he is before all things, and by him all things consist" (Colossians 1:17). John was making it crystal clear that Jesus was the Messiah, the promised Savior of the world and that he, John, was simply the Lord's servant.

           John sums up the truth that he has explained to his disciples. The man who puts his faith and trust in Jesus Christ, who believes in Him has everlasting life. Salvation has both a present and future benefit, which makes one's life in this world and afterwards bring glory to the Savior. There is only one requirement for a man to be saved. That is he must believe in Jesus Christ. This of course is not simply a head knowledge which acknowledges the existence of Jesus Christ. It is a heart felt conviction that transforms an unbelieving sinner into a child of God. This belief is one that is life changing and as 2 Corinthians 5:27 declares make a man a new creation of God. It is the spiritual rebirth that Jesus told Nicodemus that he must experience to see the Kingdom of God. It is marked change that alters the very being of a man and makes all things new. This belief changes one's everlasting destiny and enjoins him to God who gives him everlasting life with God. This truth is beyond the capacity of even the born again believer to explain or fully understand. Yet, it is a marvelous thing to know our Creator and be at peace with Him, reconciled to His will for our lives.

           As wonderful is the truth of salvation by faith, in contrast is the misfortune of unbelief. Unbelief damns a man's soul to coming judgment followed by an everlasting existence separated from God in the flames of the Lake of Fire The pleasures of sin fuel man's refusal to believe and submit himself the his loving God and Creator. As sure as is the reality of heaven, is the truth of hell. God is a just God, and holds man responsible for the life that God has given him. God says that the man who lives in unbelief cannot see life, meaning that he cannot achieve the purpose God has for him. Further, the man who lives apart from God cannot experience true life that the Christian can. The lost man, no matter what he achieves in life, will always be lacking. Man has a void in his being that only God can fill. It is a chilling truth that God's wrath is on all men who live in unbelief.

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