Book Of John - Chapter 3 - Bible Study

Day 3 - Chapter 3

Highlights/Understanding	Chapter 3 – NASB Translation
Nicodemus is mentioned only in Book Of John Nicodemus comes at night. He witnesses Jesus at the temple and his miracles. He believes that Jesus is the Messiah, yet He is afraid of his fellow Jews and other Pharisees leaders.	3 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
Who are Pharisees? They are one of the 4 School of thought/4 Sects that divided the Jewish community at that time. They believe in meticulous adherence to their interpretation of the Torah. Paul was a Pharisees (as Saul) who witnessed the stoning of Stephen	3 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
BORN AGAIN/NEW BIRTH – Explained by Jesus. Why? Not everyone can understand / follow Jesus is the Son of GOD, in spite of their knowledge of Torah, Talmud and other holy scriptures.	3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
BORN AGAIN/NEW BIRTH – Explained by Jesus. What is born again? One has to leave his old ways and become like a child on the first day of his birth. Yes, like a child who has this whole life waiting for him/her.	4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
BORN AGAIN/NEW BIRTH – Explained by Jesus. When? It is not too late to be born again Or Start over in life.	3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
Born Again – Born of the Spirit is spirit Leaving the worldly/flesh pleasurable life to GODLY life of Grace, Faith, and Love. From Old spirt to New Spirit	5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter 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 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Born Again – Symbol/Signal/Witness – Like a wind, Born again process is not visible to natural eyes. It is a supernatural transformation by Holy Spirit.	5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter 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 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Pharisees had focused so much on strict laws, rituals and in well read knowledge of holy scriptures, that they are blinded to understand the supernatural works of GOD.	9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?
Hard to give witness to a person run by facts, stats, and rationals. They will view everything as a blind man.	11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
It's not disciples, It is JESUS who talks about the purpose of HIS visit	No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man [b]who is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should [c]not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Why non-believers condemned already? Believers of Trinity GOD are chosen generation	18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Jesus is the Light. Remember verses from John Chapter 1:5-9 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.	19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
Light. Confessing to GOD and asking for repentance is bringing One’s deed to Light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.	19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
Water Baptism by Jesus, John the Baptist and Jesus’s disciples	22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. 24 For John had not yet been thrown into prison.
Who has the authority to Baptize? – Everyone called out by GOD	25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!”
John the Baptist – Testimony about Christ. John knows his calling to prepare the way for Messiah. He understands that Jesus Christ is the Messiah.	27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Remember: We all have authority to Baptize in HIS holy name	27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.
We are all called out like John the Baptist before the second coming of Christ	27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.
The gist of John the Baptist testimony	30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Belief and Life of Testimony for Jesus Christ	30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Book Of John - Chapter 2 - Bible Study

DAY 2 - Chapter 2

Highlights/Understanding	Chapter 2 – NASB Translation
FIRST Miracle	1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there;
Wedding Host is a Supporter of the Ministry/Believer	2 and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.
Mary to bear witness as she is waiting for the prophecy to unravel in Jesus’s life	1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there;  2 and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.  3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine."  4 And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come."
Mary knows that with Jesus’s ministry, if Disciples follow HIS instructions, they can witness the miracle	5 His mother said to the servants, "Whatever * * He says to you, do it."
Fill your Hollow containers with living water Jesus like HE instructs to witness the miracle.	6 Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each.  7 Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." So they filled them up to the brim.  8 And He said to them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter." So they took it to him.  9 When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew ), the headwaiter called the bridegroom,
Christian life in others’ eye is a Miracle. It is a life of blessing and miracle until the very end.	9 When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew ), the headwaiter called the bridegroom,  10 and said to him, "Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now."
First Miracle. Why wedding? Is it becos the GOD sees his Church as HIS Bride	11 This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.
House of Prayer and Praises not a place of business. Beware of this my friends.	13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.  14 And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables.  15 And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables;  16 and to those who were selling the doves He said, "Take these things away; stop making My Father's house a place of business."
Passover and Golden Calf – From Moses’s time, people are wayward about their ways. Inspite of watching the miracles, they needed a golden calf to celebrate. Though Passover is about victory over their bondage, they have found ways to get back to their sinful life even after many many years. This where Jesus comes with grace.	13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.  14 And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables.  15 And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables;  16 and to those who were selling the doves He said, "Take these things away; stop making My Father's house a place of business."
Every aspect of Jesus’s life is a continuous reminder of the Prophesy - Psalm 69:9	17 His disciples remembered that it was written, "ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME."
Jews believed in Signs	18 The Jews then said to Him, "What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?"
Hard for the Jews to accept that Jesus (as per them a common man) questions their practice even though they know Jesus is right.	18 The Jews then said to Him, "What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?"
Jesus self-prophecy - Realization of John and disciples	19 Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."  20 The Jews then said, "It took forty-six * * years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?"  21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body.  22 So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.