Patrick Hannon
New member
In order to read any book including the scriptures a person must know about context first.
Audience and Speaker.
Who is the audience. Who is the speaker.
Example: John Chapter 3.
Jhn 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
The man: Nicodemus, a Pharisee. A ruler of the Jews. Very important to see this.
Jhn 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, 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.
Jesus was not swayed by Nicodemus's statement. He got straight to the point.
Jhn 3:3 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.
I say unto thee Nicodemus. Keep the two rules in mind here; The speaker,and the audience.
Jhn 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Jhn 3:5 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.
Again Jesus made a broader statement of the importance of been born again, adding some more information, been born of water and of the spirit to enter into the kingdom of God.
The context of this passage. Jesus is not speaking to me or you.
Jesus is saying to Nicodemus a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews.
The nation of Israel was to be born again in order to enter the Kingdom of God.
They as a nation were to be born of the spirit.
Jhn 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
"Ye" must be born again. verse 7
Jhn 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
"ye" is plural.you all.not merely Nicodemus.
The context connects Nicodemus to israel. a ruler of the Jews. A Rabbi.
Jesus was not offering Nicdemus a personal requirment to enter the
kingdom of God. it was for Israel, including Nicodemus.
To get back to context;Speaker Audience. Jesus is not speaking to you.
The conclusion of what I read here is obvious, after applying the rule of context.
I do not need to be "born again"
Audience and Speaker.
Who is the audience. Who is the speaker.
Example: John Chapter 3.
Jhn 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
The man: Nicodemus, a Pharisee. A ruler of the Jews. Very important to see this.
Jhn 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, 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.
Jesus was not swayed by Nicodemus's statement. He got straight to the point.
Jhn 3:3 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.
I say unto thee Nicodemus. Keep the two rules in mind here; The speaker,and the audience.
Jhn 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Jhn 3:5 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.
Again Jesus made a broader statement of the importance of been born again, adding some more information, been born of water and of the spirit to enter into the kingdom of God.
The context of this passage. Jesus is not speaking to me or you.
Jesus is saying to Nicodemus a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews.
The nation of Israel was to be born again in order to enter the Kingdom of God.
They as a nation were to be born of the spirit.
Jhn 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
"Ye" must be born again. verse 7
Jhn 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
"ye" is plural.you all.not merely Nicodemus.
The context connects Nicodemus to israel. a ruler of the Jews. A Rabbi.
Jesus was not offering Nicdemus a personal requirment to enter the
kingdom of God. it was for Israel, including Nicodemus.
To get back to context;Speaker Audience. Jesus is not speaking to you.
The conclusion of what I read here is obvious, after applying the rule of context.
I do not need to be "born again"