Exegetical Paper Of John 3:1-8
Main Idea and Outline
I have chosen (John 3:1-8) for this exegetical paper. This passage of text is a conversation between a man named Nicodemus and Jesus, in which Jesus explains to Nicodemus the process of being born again so that Nicodemus may understand who Jesus is and how He plays a role in the ability to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
(1. The position of Nicodemus) This passage of text starts with a man named Nicodemus, who was a ruler of the Jews (vs.1). (2. Nicodemus seeks truth) It was the idea of Nicodemus to find Jesus himself so that he could separate fact from rumor about what he has been hearing of Him (vs.2). (3. Nicodemus sees God through the signs of Jesus) Nicodemus does not question Jesus however he states that Jesus is of God, because of His use of signs (vs.2). (4. Jesus tells Nicodemus about the process of being born again) Jesus then answers Nicodemus by saying that "unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God (vs.3)." Nicodemus is really, very confused by that reply. Jesus responds to his confusion with the idea that being "born again" implies a second physical birth (vs.4). Jesus responds further to Nicodemus" confusion by elaborating more upon what he said previously. He says that "unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God (vs.5)." Jesus then continues on in helping the confusion of Nicodemus. Jesus separates the idea of that which is spiritual and that which is of flesh(vs. 6). Jesus then follows up on all that he has said by telling Nicodemus that he shouldn't be puzzled by what Jesus has said. Jesus tells him that all He has said is to help him understand that you must be born again (vs. 7). (5. Jesus' analogy of being born of the Spirit) Jesus then elaborates more upon what the Spirit is by making a comparison of it to blowing wind. Jesus uses this idea by saying that you can hear the wind blowing but do not know where it comes from or where it is going....
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