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Writer's picturepastorolita
Nov 6, 20198 min read

The Royal Family (Part 2)- Study Note: The Context of John 3

The Royal Family (Part 2)- Study Note: The Context of John 3


When we want to understand a word or phrase, we try to see how it fits into the whole message. The surrounding words and events form the context, which is always important for learning a word's meaning. In this case, the context explains what "water" means in Jn 3. Whatever the meaning, it is of supreme importance. For Jesus firmly insisted that one cannot enter God's kingdom unless one receives the birth of water and Spirit (Jn 3:5).





The Context Of Events What has "water" to do with the new birth? Begin with what was happening at the time. Jn 3 took place shortly after Jesus began His public work (Jn 2:2-11,13-16; 3:2). John the Baptizer had been announcing the arrival of "the kingdom," and Jesus was now doing the same (Mt 3:2; 4:17; 5:3,10,20; 7:21; 8:1; 9:2,11). They required people to prepare by repenting and being baptized in water (Mt 3:1-12; Mk 1:4-15; Jn 4:1-2). (The English word "baptize" is borrowed from the Greek language. In New Testament Greek bapto means to dip e.g. Lk 16:24; Jn 13:26. Baptisma, a noun, means the act of dipping e.g. Lk 3:3; 1 Pet 3:21. The related verb baptizo means to dip, to immerse for purposes of faith e.g. Jn 1:25-26; Acts 2:38; 22:16. These definitions may be found in any NT Greek dictionary. Bibl ical descriptions of baptism reflect the fact that it is a brief placing of a person under water e.g. Mt 3:5-16; Mk 1:8-10; Jn 3:21-23; Acts 8:36-39; Rom 6:3-4; Col 2:12 cf. 2 Ki 5:14 in the Greek OT.)


This inspired preaching, with its requirement of immersion in water, had just burst on the scene. It emphasized all three elements in Jn 3:5: "water," "Spirit" and "the kingdom." Nicodemus well knew that "all the people" there were responding. Great numbers were being baptized in the Jordan River (Mk 1:5). In this sense, Jn 3:5 is bracketed by "water." Before Jesus taught Nicodemus, John the Baptizer was using water (Jn 1:25-26,28-34):"I baptize with water," John replied... This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.... The reason I came baptizing with water was that He [the Messiah] might be revealed to Israel.


Jesus Himself was baptized in the Jordan (Mt 3:13-17; Mk 1:9-11; Jn 1:32-34). "When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too" (Lk 3:21). Then, immediately after Jesus taught Nicodemus, Jesus and John returned to their work of preaching and baptizing.


John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized.... [Disciples said to John], "Rabbi, that Man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan... He is baptizing, and everyone is going to Him" (Jn 3:23,26).... Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John (Jn 4:1).


If Jerusalem had newspapers in that day, headlines would display the word "kingdom" beside words for "water" (John the Baptizer, baptism, in the Jordan). In that context, the "water" to which Jesus refers can hardly be missed, unless one has a reason for avoiding water. And that brings us to another important word in this context, "Pharisees."


The Context For Nicodemus Personally Jn 3 begins, "Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council." The second verse shows that Nicodemus closely followed the course of events. That takes us back to Jn 1: 24-28 and related passages, where the Pharisees questioned John's reason for baptizing. From Mt 3:7-9 we learn that Pharisees came to be baptized, but John called them "vipers." He demanded real repentance, and told them to stop relying on their fleshly birth as Jews. From Lk 7:29-30 we learn that the Pharisees turned against John and against baptism.


All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.


As a leading Pharisee, Nicodemus found himself at the center of the burning debate: Are John and Jesus true prophets? (Mt 21:23-27; Jn 3:2) Should we receive the baptism they require? How does one enter the kingdom? Isn't our fleshly birth as Abraham's children good enough? Such pressing matters explain why Jesus answered "in reply" before Nicodemus asked anything. Jesus replied to the great questions already raised by the context of events. Like John (Mt 3:7-9), Jesus rejected fleshly birth as the way into the kingdom (Jn 3:6). Jesus demanded the new birth "of water and the Spirit" (Jn 3:5). The context, both of words and of events, makes this "water" crystal clear. Baptism is where the Spirit gives us birth.


This meaning is so clear that for well over 1000 years after Christ, every Christian writer that commented on Jn 3:5 said the same thing: the water refers to baptism. Only in recent years have writers argued for other meanings. Like Nicodemus, many of these are learned scholars and teachers (Jn 3:10).


But, like the Pharisees, they have long ago turned against "water" as having any importance. Their position forbids them to find baptism necessary in any passage, regardless of how plainly it speaks or how clear its context. Though human teachings change with time, the truth remains the same. Even today's greatest teachers must learn, as Nicodemus learned, to bow to the authority of Jesus. The King assures us that "no one" is exempt, not even religious leaders. "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unl ess he is born of water and the Spirit"(Jn 3:5). For further study on this subject, please review or request the WBS course, Born of Water and Spirit.




Dear Members or Friends, True Disciples or Leaders and Rulers

Lord Jesus' first disciples included His apostles. But they were not the last disciples, for He trained them to train others.

"Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20).

Jesus our King did not say, "Make believers." A person may have some sort of belief, but never become a disciple. Our King Jesus does not say, "Make worshipers." People may give prayers and offerings without being disciples. All disciples believe and worship, but not all 'believers' and 'worshipers' are disciples. Our savior and King Jesus commands, "Make disciples." That term, as commonly used at that time, means, "Train learners who are committed to following their Teacher's instruction and example." Lord and our healer Jesus reinforces the meaning of continuing learning by saying, "...teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:20). Some refer to Matthew 28:20 as the second half of the Great Commission. It may be more difficult to fulfill, but it is essential for spiritual health as you "grow up in your salvation." Hearing and obeying Christ our Lord and Savior, these are like air to the disciple. To stop breathing that air is to cease being a disciple.

INTRODUCTION AND TESTIMONY

Grace Kingdom Ministry international(G.K.M.I) was birthed in 2011 December in Buru Buru Phase 5 ,Nairobi,Kenya when the founder or Visionary Pastor Stephen Olita met the Lord Jesus Christ and gave him a vision of the Kingdom of God, to preach the Kingdom of God to all Nations Mathew 24:14 and to teach about our Lord Jesus Christ as we to raise leaders in Africa starting with Kenya, Africa and the Whole world. Acts 28:31, Philippians 4:13.

Grace kingdom ministry international is a Church, Leadership and Humanitarian organization with it headquarter in Nairobi, Kenya in Kiambiu Slum in Buru Buru phase one on outering road. We are mandated to address both spiritual, mental or emotional and physical needs for the oppressed people in our society including Widows, Orphans and disables, James 1:26-27.

We have seen and we are still seeing all kinds of crimes, Sexual abuse, murder,prostitution,adultery,rape,gang warfare Galatians 5:16-26 in our streets taking toll on our people especially targeting our young People with drugs and drug dealers are influencing our youth or our young People. Now is our responsibility as a Church to invest all our efforts into Sports, Business, Arts, Films and Music, Talents, Skills and gifts search and to bring our young People out of crime in our streets to our Lord Jesus Christ and to know Him better through these activities so they can discover their Purpose, Passion, Potential and their destiny which is a hope and a future.

OUR VISION-Transforming followers into leaders and leaders into agent of change (Raising Leaders and Rulers, shaping vision, influencing society and culture through Christ).Philippians 4:13

OUR MISSION-Preaching the kingdom of God, Teaching about Lord Jesus Christ and saving the lost at any cost. Mathew 24:14

Our Church as Leadership organization is mandated to train and raise over 3 Billions disciples or Leaders in Nairobi, Kenya ,the whole Africa and the whole world between now 2019 to 2035 and beyond. These trained Leaders will in return train others Disciples close to over 3 Billion and these circles of Multiplication goes on and on by grace and will or mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ as we preach the kingdom of God and teaching about Lord Jesus Christ as we follow His instruction to fulfill the great commission in Mathew 28:18-20.This is the main core of our vision and mission of our organization and we are looking for resources to fulfill this goal and plan from our Partners and well-wishers around the World including you and others.

SUBJECT:KENYA,AFRICA and The WHOLE WORLD are IN NEED OF YOU.Take action now.Don't watch things happening.make a difference.

WE Grace Kingdom Ministry International(G.K.M.I),WE are trying to plant our over 11 Churches and Orphanages(James 1:26-27) in Kenya,Malawi,India,Pakistan,Uganda,Ghana,South Africa,Tanzania,DRC Congo,Zimbabwe,Somali(al-Shabaab),Nigeria(Boko Haram), Sudan (South and North) , Philippines,Haiti ,Zambia,Australia, Onalaska Washington State USA for the Glory of GOD to fulfill the Great Commission Mandate in MATHEW 28:18-20 at a cost of over USD 7 Million.Acts 1:8,Acts 9:31.Acts 12;24,Acts 16:5,Revelation 2:9-10, Revelation 3:7-13.

Our vision and Mission is focused beyond 2035 if we will be alive by that time but if not we are planning it now for the generation now and the coming new future generation. As per below stated, We have two phases,Phase one is for Kenya to raise over 20 million leaders and Phase Two is the whole of Africa and the whole world to raise over 3 Billion leaders from now to 2035 and beyond. We believe we will fulfill this great commission by reaching out to the whole World or Nations by the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ as He commanded us to preach in Mathew 24:14 and Mathew 28:18-20 if these resources are met as suggested.

We have targeted to raise over USD 7 Million to plants or build the following Churches in Nairobi and the whole Kenya ,Africa and the whole world namely,Eastleigh,South B and C and along Ngong road ,Kibera area,Eastern province in Thika Makongeni, Nyatta plateau,Machakos,Nakuru,Kitale,Kisii,Homa Bay,Migori,Kuria Land,Kisumu,Siaya,Busia, Malawi,India,Pakistan,Uganda,Ghana,South Africa,Tanzania,DRC Congo,Zimbabwe,Somali(al-Shabaab), Nigeria(Boko Haram), Sudan (South and North),Philippines,Haiti ,Zambia,Australia, Onalaska Washington State USA. These Churches will include all the necessary facilities and resources for training Leaders or Disciples with also centers for feeding for the orphans and other vulnerable Children. Our own Radio ,TV station,Books,Publishing Company, Print Media, Universities, Holy Bible Colleges and institutes,Banks,Media centers and institutes for music and film making, Hotels resorts and Business buildings. and other systems of influence for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 1:8,Acts 9:31.Acts12;24,Acts 16:5,Revelation 2:9-10, Revelation 3:7-13,Galatians 3:14,26-29.

Any support to help us raise the needed funds as mentioned in the above for the planting or building of these Churches in Nairobi ,Kenya, Africa and the Whole world as explained in the above will be will be honored and appreciated for the sake of saving souls for the kingdom of God to fulfill the great commission of our Lord Jesus Christ, Mathew 28:18-20.

WE need Partners, Holy Bibles, Financial Support, Lands in the Cities, Towns or Villages near you to do this worthy noble cause. Acts 4:28-37.

The following are our Church Bank details. Bank Name: Kenya Commercial Bank Swift Code:KCBKENX Bank Code:100 Branch Code:0107 ACCOUNT NUMBER:1253041768.

Also you can use Western Union Money Transfer or Money Gram addressed to Stephen Olita,+254722761587,email:pastorolita@gmail.com,gracekingdomministry@gmail.com,pastorolita@yahoo.com.Please also do send me the copy of the Bank Slip to enable me access the Money and do the will of GOD. James 1:26-27 New International Version (Niv),Luke 6:38,2 Corinthians 9:5-15.

THIS IS THE REASON WHY YOU SHOULD PARTNER WITH US AND DONATE ANY RESOURCES INCLUDING MONEY. https://web.facebook.com/groups/1773715129514690/ https://www.facebook.com/GRACE-KINGDOM-MINISTRY-521008011400445/\

Contact me for more information Pastor Stephen Olita,+254722761587,+254734939308 or email me:pastorolita@gmail.com,gracekingdomministry@gmail.com,pastorolita@yahoo.com

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