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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 2
The Pharisee was surprised out of his self-possession by these
words, the meaning of which he partially comprehended; for he had
heard John the Baptist preach repentance and baptism, and also the
coming of One who should baptize with the Holy Ghost. Nicodemus
had long felt that there was a want of spirituality among the Jews; that
bigotry, pride, and worldly ambition guided their actions in a great
measure. He had hoped for a better state of things when the Messiah
should come. But he was looking for a Saviour who would set up a
temporal throne in Jerusalem, and who would gather the Jewish nation
under his standard, bringing the Roman power into subjection by force
of arms.
This learned dignitary was a strict Pharisee. He had prided himself
upon his own good works and exalted piety. He considered his daily
life perfect in the sight of God, and was startled to hear Jesus speak
of a kingdom too pure for him to see in his present state. His mind
misgave him, yet he felt irritated by the close application of the words
to his own case, and he answered as if he had understood them in the
most literal sense, “How can a man be born when he is old?”
Jesus, with solemn emphasis, repeated, “Verily, verily I say unto
thee, Except a man be born of the water and of the Spirit, he cannot
enter into the kingdom of God.” The words of Jesus could no longer
be misunderstood. His listener well knew that he referred to water
baptism and the grace of God. The power of the Holy Spirit transforms
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the entire man. This change constitutes the new birth.
Many of the Jews had acknowledged John as a prophet sent of God,
and had received baptism at his hands unto repentance; meanwhile
he had plainly taught them that his work and mission was to prepare
the way for Christ, who was the greater light, and would complete
the work which he had begun. Nicodemus had meditated upon these
things, and he now felt convinced that he was in the presence of that
One foretold by John.
Said Jesus, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which
is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must
be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest
the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither
it goeth; so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” Jesus here seeks
to impress upon Nicodemus the positive necessity of the influence of
the Spirit of God upon the human heart to purify it preparatory to the