The Savior declared that we must be born again (John 3:3)
What is the difference between seeing the kingdom of God and entering?
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. Being born again can refer to a change in heart; spiritually being reborn. A person who has changed their heart will see the kingdom of God. But to enter the kingdom of God, a person must be born of water and the spirit. This includes baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.
What did Jesus Christ teach Nicodemus that he must do to enter the Kingdom of God? What does it meant to be "born of water?"
Christ teaches Nicodemus that in order to enter the Kingdom of God, you must be baptised and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. To be born of water, is to be baptised.
Read Moses 6:59 and list ways that baptism can be a symbol of rebirth.
Baptism is a symbol of rebirth because when we were born, we were in our mother's womb which was filled with water. In order to enter the world, the water was broken. We entered water, then came out. This is exactly what baptism is. We enter water, and then we come out. When we entered the world, there was also blood. When we are baptised, all sins are forgiven because of the blood of Christ.
Read Romans 6:4 and list how baptism can be a symbol of death. What does it mean to be "born of the spirit?"
Baptism can be a symbol of death because when we are buried under the water, it is a symbol of being dead with Christ and then raising from the dead as he did. And when we symbolically raise from the dead, we should walk in newness of life. Verse 8 says "Now if we be dead with Christ [then] we believe that we shall also live with him." Baptism can also be a symbol of covenanting to live so that we can live with him also.
What natural element does the Lord compare with the Spirit? Why is it an effective comparison?
The Lord compares the Spirit to the wind. I love this comparison! I have never heard of the Spirit being compared to the wind until I read this verse. I like to think of it this way: I can't see it; but I can feel it. The Lord says that wind blows where it is listeth. The Spirit also only resides where it is listeth. When the Spirit is not welcome, it will not stay. Along with feeling the wind, we can also hear the wind. We don't know where it came from or where it's going; but we can hear it. This is exactly how the Spirit works in our lives. So many times the Spirit has spoken to me when I wasn't expecting it. Another way this comparison is effective, is that we can tell when the wind leaves, if we have noticed it in the first place. If we haven't even noticed that there is wind, then we aren't going to notice when it leaves. When we are too desensitized to feel the Spirit, then we will not know when it has even left.
Review John 3:14-17, 35-36. Write a paragraph that describes who the Father loves. What He has done to show His love for his children, and for Jesus Christ, what the purpose of the Savior was and what blessings will come to those who accept the son.
The father loves each and every one of us. "God so loved the world." He doesn't just love those who are members of our church, or the relief society presidents, or the prophet. No, he loves ALL of us. That includes those who aren't members, those who have transgressed and are too prideful to repent, those who sit in prison for doing things they may or may not regret. And what did he do because he loves us? He sent his son. Verse 16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." The following letters can be pulled out of this verse: v,a,l,e,n,t,i,n,e. God's Valentine to the world was sending his Son. When Christ was sent to the earth, it was not to condemn us; it was to save us. Without him, we would never be able to return to our Father in heaven. If we choose to accept the son, we will receive everlasting life and receive of his fulness.
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