An excerpt from the soon-to-be-available John in Everyday Bible Study guides. John 3:1-21 3:1 Now 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.”
I skimmed this yesterday. Today, it got my attention! As an “everyday” Bible Study guide, it is just what I hope for! You give both valuable background information, AND, inspiring pathways to connect “who I am”, “where I am”, for anyone to sense a splash of water as some fresh Wind approaches to wake us and propel us forward, in any direction!
I really liked your Pharisee commentary. Very valuable words for today. It’s more than “pharasaic” name calling. We do plenty of that! It’s recognizing a calling, and, as it is with every calling, we are here to listen, help clarify/encourage, and find the path.
Thank you, Scot! Your Everyday Bible Study Guide will likely find its way into my “every day” library.
I have a question about something you said regarding a theology of the relationship between baptism and the reception of the Holy Spirit which this passage brings to the forefront.
You said: "The meaning of “of water and the Spirit” could be first water, then Spirit. In which case, water points to baptism by water, and Spirit would point to the indwelling of the Spirit of the new covenant."
I had been taught that (water) baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit are meant to always go together. The Holy Spirit is received at (water) baptism as a benefit of baptism. Union with Christ (Ro 6:5) means union with the Spirit (1 Cor 6:17). Thus, there is 'one baptism'.
I'm aware of some other traditions believe that there are 'two baptisms', a water baptism and a separate baptism 'of' the Holy Spirit. Significant 'experiences' with the Holy Spirit separate from water baptism are given as 'practical evidence' of this theological system.
The incidences in Acts 8:14-17 and Acts 10:44-48 are often a point of contention between these theological camps. I believe these examples to show that the early church thought that baptism and the gift of the Spirit were thought to go together and that something was wrong when they didn't go together. (Of course, there is also an act of God involved in how these incidences also kept unity in the church.) Some view this as evidence that they are indeed separate events.
I would be curious to hear what you think of this, especially as it relates to the theology of 'water and Spirit' with the the Johannine corpus.
It’s hard to sort through this at times but there’s no water baptism at Pentecost, and I would think that would at least put a limp in the necessary connection of the two.
I skimmed this yesterday. Today, it got my attention! As an “everyday” Bible Study guide, it is just what I hope for! You give both valuable background information, AND, inspiring pathways to connect “who I am”, “where I am”, for anyone to sense a splash of water as some fresh Wind approaches to wake us and propel us forward, in any direction!
I really liked your Pharisee commentary. Very valuable words for today. It’s more than “pharasaic” name calling. We do plenty of that! It’s recognizing a calling, and, as it is with every calling, we are here to listen, help clarify/encourage, and find the path.
Thank you, Scot! Your Everyday Bible Study Guide will likely find its way into my “every day” library.
Thank you!
I have a question about something you said regarding a theology of the relationship between baptism and the reception of the Holy Spirit which this passage brings to the forefront.
You said: "The meaning of “of water and the Spirit” could be first water, then Spirit. In which case, water points to baptism by water, and Spirit would point to the indwelling of the Spirit of the new covenant."
I had been taught that (water) baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit are meant to always go together. The Holy Spirit is received at (water) baptism as a benefit of baptism. Union with Christ (Ro 6:5) means union with the Spirit (1 Cor 6:17). Thus, there is 'one baptism'.
I'm aware of some other traditions believe that there are 'two baptisms', a water baptism and a separate baptism 'of' the Holy Spirit. Significant 'experiences' with the Holy Spirit separate from water baptism are given as 'practical evidence' of this theological system.
The incidences in Acts 8:14-17 and Acts 10:44-48 are often a point of contention between these theological camps. I believe these examples to show that the early church thought that baptism and the gift of the Spirit were thought to go together and that something was wrong when they didn't go together. (Of course, there is also an act of God involved in how these incidences also kept unity in the church.) Some view this as evidence that they are indeed separate events.
I would be curious to hear what you think of this, especially as it relates to the theology of 'water and Spirit' with the the Johannine corpus.
It’s hard to sort through this at times but there’s no water baptism at Pentecost, and I would think that would at least put a limp in the necessary connection of the two.
Fair comment. Would those at Pentecost have not already been members of the covenant? Or is that impossible to say?
Great stuff!
On Sunday, I am preaching this very passage. Glad to see that your commentary validates my own study. :)
I am also happy to see that you have read David Ford's brilliant work on John!