John 3

John tells the Good News about Jesus

Gospel of John

Marion Adams

Chapter 3

Jesus teaches Nicodemus 3:1-21

v1-2 A *Jewish leader called Nicodemus came to speak to Jesus. Nicodemus was a *Pharisee. He came to Jesus at night. Nicodemus said to Jesus, ‘Teacher! We all know that God has sent you to teach us. You do *miracles. These *signs prove that God is with you.’

v3 Jesus answered, ‘You must be born again. If you are not born again, you can never enter God’s *kingdom. I tell you the truth.’

v4 Nicodemus asked, ‘How can an adult be born again? A man cannot go back inside his mother’s body and be born a second time!’

v5 Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth. Nobody can enter God’s *kingdom unless he or she is born by means of water and the *Holy Spirit. v6 A person is born physically by means of human parents. But a person can be born *spiritually only by means of the *Holy Spirit. v7 I said that you must be born again. Do not be surprised at this statement. v8 The wind blows wherever it wants. You can hear the sound that it makes. But you do not know where it comes from. And you do not know where it is going. It is like this with everyone who is born by means of the *Holy Spirit.’

v9 ‘What do you mean?’ asked Nicodemus.

v10 Jesus answered him, ‘You are a great *Jewish teacher. But you do not understand these things! v11 I tell you the truth. We speak about what we know. And we report what we have seen. But nobody believes us. v12 You do not believe me when I speak about things on earth. So you cannot believe me when I speak about things in heaven. v13 Nobody has ever gone up to heaven, except the Son of Man, who came down from heaven. v14 Moses lifted up the metal snake in the desert. In the same way, people will lift up the Son of Man. v15 Then everyone who *believes in him can have *eternal life.

v16 God loved the people in this world so much that he gave his only Son. So everyone who *believes in him will never really die. Instead, they will have *eternal life. v17 God did not send his Son into the world to *condemn its people. God sent his Son to *save them. v18 God will not *condemn anyone who *believes in his Son. But he has already *condemned anyone who does not *believe in him. This is because they have not *believed in God’s only Son.

v19 The *light from heaven has come into the world. But God will *condemn people who do evil things. This is because they preferred the darkness instead of the *light. v20 People who do evil things hate the *light. They will not come into the *light. They are afraid that the *light will show clearly all their evil acts. v21 But people who do good things are happy to come into the *light. Then everyone can see that they obey God. And that is why they do these good things.’

Verses 1-2 Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was a group of 70 *Jewish leaders, plus the *High Priest. The *Romans ruled the *Jews. But they allowed the *Jewish leaders to make decisions about certain legal matters and also matters about their religion. These 70 *Jewish leaders came from rich and important families. Nicodemus was also a *Pharisee (see note on John 1:24-25).

There are two possible reasons why Nicodemus came to see Jesus at night. Perhaps he did not want the other *Jewish leaders to know that he had spoken to Jesus. Jesus was not popular with the *Jewish leaders. He often argued with them in public. But perhaps there was another reason. *Jewish teachers taught that the best time to study God’s *Law was at night. Jesus was very busy all day. He was a popular teacher and crowds followed him. So maybe Nicodemus wanted to discuss important *spiritual matters in private, when Jesus was alone.

Verses 3-4 The other three *Gospels contain many references to God’s *kingdom. But this verse is the only place where we read the phrase ‘God’s *kingdom’ in John’s *Gospel.

God’s *kingdom is not a country that has borders. It is not in one particular place. Perhaps the best description of God’s *kingdom is in the *Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4). This is the prayer that Jesus taught us to say. In this prayer, we ask for God’s *kingdom to come to the earth, so that everyone will obey God. The *angels in heaven obey God. We ask that this will happen on the earth, too.

The writer William Barclay said that God’s *kingdom is a society. In this society, people do everything that pleases God. God’s *kingdom has begun already. Because when a person *believes in Jesus, they join God’s *kingdom. In the future, God’s *kingdom will come completely to the earth. This will happen when Jesus returns to *judge the world. Evil things will not happen then (Revelation Chapter s 21 and 22).

Jesus told Nicodemus that there is only one way to enter God’s *kingdom. A person has to be born again. These *Greek words can mean also ‘born from above’. This is because Jesus was not talking about the birth of our physical bodies. He was talking about our spirits.

When we *believe in Jesus, we are sorry because of our *sins. We realise that we can never be good enough for God. We know that our *sins deserve punishment. But Jesus suffered that punishment on our behalf. He has paid the price for our *sins. So when we accept him as our *Lord, God forgives our *sins. And he accepts us. Then the *Holy Spirit enters us and God begins to change us. Our spirits are born again! Our spirits become alive. We know that God is real. We love him and we want to please him. We become different people inside our hearts.

Everyone who has been born again belongs to God’s *kingdom. It does not matter where a person lives in the world. It does not matter whether that person is rich or poor. It does not matter whether that person is young or old. The colour of that person’s skin does not matter. God accepts everyone who *believes in his Son, Jesus.

‘I tell you the truth’ (verse 3). Jesus used the phrase ‘I tell you the truth’ often, when he wanted to emphasise very important statements.

Verses 5-7 ‘By means of water and the *Holy Spirit’ (verse 5). Jesus said that a person needs two births. The first is the natural birth of the body. This happens by means of one’s parents. The second birth is a *spiritual birth. Only the *Holy Spirit can make this happen.

We cannot get this new *life for ourselves. Only the *Holy Spirit can give it to us. It is a gift from God (see Romans 8:16; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6).

Verse 8 Jesus said that the *Holy Spirit is like the wind. Actually, the words for ‘wind’ and ‘spirit’ are the same in both *Hebrew and *Greek. Like the wind, the *Holy Spirit is invisible (something that we cannot see, although it is there). Like the wind, the *Holy Spirit can go anywhere and everywhere. Like the wind, we can feel the effects of the *Holy Spirit. And like the wind, we cannot control the *Holy Spirit.

We cannot explain how the *Holy Spirit gives to us this new birth. It is a mystery. We can never really understand it. We just know that it is true. It happens!

Verses 9-11 Nicodemus was a very clever man. He knew the *Scriptures well and he taught people about them. But he did not understand what Jesus was teaching him. Because he was clever, he realised this. He was wise enough to ask Jesus some questions. Nicodemus really wanted to learn and to understand. Jesus explained things to him, because Nicodemus was honest and sincere. However, people do not have to be clever to *believe what Jesus said. They just have to have *faith in him. His words are all true!

Jesus used the plural ‘we’ in verse 11. Some people think that he was referring to the *disciples. But the *disciples had known Jesus only for a short time. So perhaps Jesus was including God the *Father and the *Holy Spirit with himself.

Verse 12 Nicodemus did not understand what Jesus meant about the second birth. But Jesus had explained it well. The word ‘you’ in this verse is plural. So Jesus was referring to everyone who did not understand him.

Although the second birth is a *spiritual matter, it happens here on the earth. But some people did not understand this. So they would not understand the things that happened in heaven. (See also John 12:44-50.)

Many people today do not understand what Jesus taught about *spiritual matters. It is not because they are not clever. Often, it is because they do not want to understand. Perhaps they are too proud. Or perhaps they are too lazy!

Paul wrote about this matter in his letter to the *church in Corinth (an important city). He wrote that the *Holy Spirit helps us to understand *spiritual matters. If the *Holy Spirit is not present in a person’s spirit, that person cannot understand *spiritual matters (1 Corinthians 2:13-16).

But when we understand, we have to do something about it. It affects us. We must choose whether to obey Jesus or not.

Verse 13 Jesus, the Son of Man, is the only connection between heaven and earth. He was in heaven but he came down to live with us on the earth. After his death and *resurrection, he returned to heaven. And now he lives in our spirits by means of the *Holy Spirit.

Verses 14-15 This verse refers to an incident in the *Old Testament (Numbers 21:8-9). The *Israelites were wandering in the desert. They had complained about God. So he sent many snakes to punish them for their bad attitude. The snakes bit and killed many people. Then God told Moses to make a metal snake. He told Moses to put it on the top of a pole. When the snakes bit the people, the people had to look up at the metal snake. If they did this, they would not die.

*Sin is like a snake’s bite. A bite poisons our bodies. And *sin ruins our lives. But God has provided a way to cure us. He has provided a way to save us from *sin and death. Jesus said that people would lift him up, like the metal snake. He was referring to the time when they would put him on the *cross. They would lift him up on the *cross for everyone to see.

We must look up at him on the *cross. In other words, we must trust him, because of what he did on the *cross. We must believe that he will save us from *sin and death. For the *Israelites, the only way to cure the snake’s bite was to look at the metal snake. And the only way to free us from the results of our *sin is to look at Jesus on the *cross. When we look at the *cross, God rescues us from the results of our *sins. In other words, we must trust Jesus to save us from the punishment for our *sins. He died so that God would forgive us. There, at the *cross, Jesus took away our *sin.

Verse 16 This is probably the most famous verse in the Bible. It expresses in only a few words what *Christians *believe. It tells us the main reason why God sent his Son to die on our behalf. There are several reasons why God did this.

He did it because he is fair. If people do wrong things, they deserve a punishment. So Jesus suffered our punishment in our place.

He did it because he is *holy. God cannot accept us, because we *sin. But Jesus, who never *sinned, took our place. He died instead of us. When we believe this, we receive Jesus’ *righteousness as our own. So when God looks at us, he chooses to see Jesus’ *righteousness instead of our *sin.

But this verse emphasises the main reason why God sent Jesus to die. It was because God loved us all so much.

Love is more than just one of God’s qualities. His nature is love. God does everything because he loves. God’s love always reaches out to us, the people that he has made. God’s love is never selfish. He gave to us the most precious thing that he had: his only Son.

‘*Eternal life’ does not mean just life that continues without an end. Many people have miserable lives. Many people are poor, or hungry, or ill; or they suffer with pain. It would be bad if this kind of life continued without an end. But *eternal life means the wonderful *life that God gives to us by means of Jesus. He gives it to us now. It is our promise that we will live *forever, even after our death. In *eternal life, there is no more death, or disease. There is no enemy or *sin. Bad things do not happen. Our life on the earth is only a short part of our life with God. After we die, we will live this wonderful *life with him always.

*Eternal life is God’s free gift to us. We cannot earn it. There is only one way to receive it. We must *believe in Jesus. ‘To *believe in’ means more than just to know that Jesus is God. Even the devil knows that! (For example, Luke 4:33-34; James 2:19.) It means that we must trust Jesus completely. Only Jesus can save us from the results of our *sins. We must let him rule every part of our lives completely. He has a plan for each one of us. We must believe that all his words in the Bible are true. We must obey him. We must believe that he gives us the power to change our characters. He will make us become more like him, if we let him.

Verses 17-21 God sent Jesus to rescue us from the results of our *sins. He did not send Jesus to punish us. But that does not mean that everyone will avoid punishment. It is our choice. Jesus showed us the bad things that we do. He is the meaning of the *light from heaven. But some people prefer to continue to *sin. They do not want to change what they do. So they do not want to know Jesus. They *reject him and they *reject the *Christian message. However, other people become *Christians because they want to change. They do not still want to hide their *sin. Instead, they want to obey God and to do good things. So they are happy to come to Jesus.

John the *Baptist talks more about Jesus 3:22-30

v22 After this, Jesus and his *disciples left *Jerusalem. However, they stayed in *Judea (a *province). Jesus spent some time with them and they *baptised people. v23 John the *Baptist was at Aenon near Salim. Also he was *baptising people because there was plenty of water there. And people continued to come to him for *baptism. v24 This, of course, was before John the *Baptist went to prison. v25 At that time, a certain *Jew began to argue with John the *Baptist’s *disciples. The argument was about the special ways that the *Jews used water in their ceremonies. v26 John the *Baptist’s *disciples came to him. They said, ‘Teacher! Someone else is also *baptising people. It is the man that you met on the other side of the river called Jordan. It is the man that you called the *Messiah. And everyone is going to him!’

v27 John the *Baptist replied, ‘God in heaven chooses each person’s work. v28 You must remember what I told you. I said, “I am not the *Messiah. I am only the person whom God sent ahead of him. I prepare the way on his behalf.” v29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The bridegroom’s friend is happy to be there with him. He is happy to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That is why I am so happy. v30 The *Messiah must become more important. And I must become less important.’

Verses 22-30 At this time, both John the *Baptist and Jesus’ *disciples were *baptising people. But they were in different places. However, it seems that more people were going to Jesus instead of to John the *Baptist. And it seems that John the *Baptist’s *disciples were worried about this. Probably, they did not like it because they were loyal to their teacher. Probably, they expected him to be jealous of Jesus.

But John the *Baptist was not jealous. He knew that God had given him a special job to do. He had to prepare people for the time when the *Messiah came. John the *Baptist had to guide people to Jesus. So because people were going to Jesus instead of him, John the *Baptist had been successful. This did not upset him and he was not jealous. He was very happy!

To show what he meant, John the *Baptist talked about a wedding. It is very likely that he chose this idea on purpose. In the *Old Testament, writers often used the idea of a wedding to show how God loved his people, called *Israel. The writers wrote that God was like a bridegroom. *Israel was his bride. This is because he had chosen *Israel to belong to him in a special way. He wanted *Israel to be loyal to him.

Also, in the *New Testament, the *church is called ‘the bride of *Christ’ (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:22-32).

So John the *Baptist said that his situation was like a wedding. Jesus was like the bridegroom because he was the most important person. John the *Baptist was like the bridegroom’s friend. At a *Jewish wedding, the bridegroom’s friend had many duties. For example, this friend arranged the wedding and he sent out the invitations. But he had one special duty. He had to guard the bride’s bedroom. He did not allow anybody to enter. He opened the door only when he heard the bridegroom’s voice (verse 29).

So John the *Baptist was pleased because he had done his duty. People were coming to see Jesus, God’s Son. John the *Baptist wanted this to happen. As Jesus became more important, John the *Baptist would become less important. This did not matter to him. He had obeyed God and he had done his work well.

God’s Son, who comes from heaven 3:31-36

v31 ‘God’s Son has come from heaven. He is greater than everyone. A person who is from the world belongs to the world. That person can understand and speak only the world’s language. But God’s Son has come from heaven. And he is greater than everyone. v32 He speaks about what he has seen. He talks about what he has heard. But few people believe what he says. v33 But God is truthful! Whoever believes the words of God’s Son shows this. v34 God sent his Son to speak God’s words. And God has given to him the complete power of the *Holy Spirit. v35 The *Father loves his Son. And the *Father has given to his Son the authority over everything. v36 Everyone who *believes in God’s Son has *eternal life. But those who do not obey God’s Son will never have *eternal life. God will be angry with them always.’

Verses 31-36 These may be the words of John the *Baptist. Or they may be the words of John, who wrote this *Gospel. Often, in this *Gospel, it is difficult to know when the author has added his own words. But this does not matter. The passage is very important anyway.

It emphasises clearly that God’s Son is superior to everyone, even to the greatest human teacher. Human teachers know only what it is like to live in this world. So they can speak only ‘the world’s language’ (verse 31). But Jesus knows what heaven is like. He had come from there to the world. He returned to heaven after his *resurrection and he is there now. He came to tell us the truth about God. God himself sent his Son. And God’s Son knew God’s thoughts, so he spoke God’s words.

In the *Old Testament, the *Holy Spirit came and remained with certain people. This was so that they could do special work for God. Now, all *Christians have the *Holy Spirit in them. But the *Holy Spirit was in Jesus in a special way. Because Jesus was God, there were no limits to the *Holy Spirit’s power in him (verse 34).

But not many people believed what Jesus told them. However, the people who did believe received *eternal life. This is still true today. Anyone who *believes in Jesus has *eternal life. They have it now, not just after their death. They can enjoy the wonderful quality of life with God from the moment that they *believe in Jesus.

However, we must remember that there is a choice. If people do not *believe in Jesus, they have chosen to *reject God. They have *rejected his gift of *eternal life. They have chosen death. God loves them. But it is their choice that God *condemns them. This is because they have *rejected his love.

God designed people so that we would be able to make decisions for ourselves. He does not force us to *believe in Jesus. He does not force us to receive *eternal life. He offers it to us. But we must choose it or *reject it. That is why it is important to tell people about Jesus. But it is their choice whether they *believe in him or not.

Jewish ~ the word that describes a Jew or anything that belongs to the Jews. The ‘Jewish leaders’ were a group of important Jews who lived in Judah.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
Pharisees ~ a group of Jews who thought that they obeyed all God’s commands.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
miracle ~ wonderful works that only God can do by his power. A wonderful event that shows that a person’s message is from God.
sign ~ the word that John often uses in his Gospel to mean a miracle. A sign gives evidence and it points to something beyond itself.
Gospel ~ one of the 4 books at the beginning of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They record Jesus’ life.
miracle ~ wonderful works that only God can do by his power. A wonderful event that shows that a person’s message is from God.

New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus on the earth. It is about the things that Jesus did. And it is about the things that he taught. It is also about the church and what Christians should believe.
church ~ (1) All Christians everywhere. (2) The members of a local group of Christians.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
kingdom ~ a place or country that a king rules. God’s kingdom is where God rules. God is the king of all Christians and all Christians are in his kingdom.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
holy ~ what God is like. God’s character: perfect, completely good with nothing bad in it. Separate from sin.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
condemn ~ to decide that someone is guilty and that the guilty person should suffer punishment.
save ~ to rescue from the results of sin.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
light ~ Natural light helps us to see physical things. But in John’s Gospel, the word ‘light’ also refers to that which helps us to see (understand) spiritual truths.
Gospel ~ one of the 4 books at the beginning of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They record Jesus’ life.
spiritual ~ something that belongs to the spirit rather than to physical things.

New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus on the earth. It is about the things that Jesus did. And it is about the things that he taught. It is also about the church and what Christians should believe.
church ~ (1) All Christians everywhere. (2) The members of a local group of Christians.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.

'High Priest ~ the most important priest in the Jewish Temple.
Jewish ~ the word that describes a Jew or anything that belongs to the Jews. The ‘Jewish leaders’ were a group of important Jews who lived in Judah.
temple ~ a building where people went to worship God. Jesus referred to his body as a temple. This was because God was living among people in his Son, Jesus.
Temple ~ the special building in Jerusalem where the Jews went to worship God.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
worship ~ to give thanks and honour to God and Jesus. To show to him that we love him very much.
Jerusalem ~ the capital city of Israel. It was the place where Israel’s early kings ruled. Later, the kings of the southern kingdom called Judah ruled in Jerusalem.
Israel ~ name of the land that God gave to Jacob (who is also called Israel) and his sons (Genesis chapter 35). Also refers to the Jews, the group of people whom God chose to belong to him in a special way.
kingdom ~ a place or country that a king rules. God’s kingdom is where God rules. God is the king of all Christians and all Christians are in his kingdom.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
Roman ~ a person from Rome. Rome was an important city. The Emperor and the government lived in Rome. Roman describes everything that belonged to Rome.
Emperor ~ the chief Roman ruler.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
Law ~ the rules that God gave to Moses for the Jews.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
spiritual ~ something that belongs to the spirit rather than to physical things.
Gospel ~ one of the 4 books at the beginning of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They record Jesus’ life.

New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus on the earth. It is about the things that Jesus did. And it is about the things that he taught. It is also about the church and what Christians should believe.
church ~ (1) All Christians everywhere. (2) The members of a local group of Christians.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
angel ~ God’s servant who takes messages from God to people on the earth. Angels live with God in heaven.
judge ~ to decide whether a person is guilty, usually in a court of law.
Greek ~ a person from Greece; the language in which the authors wrote the New Testament.

New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus on the earth. It is about the things that Jesus did. And it is about the things that he taught. It is also about the church and what Christians should believe.
church ~ (1) All Christians everywhere. (2) The members of a local group of Christians.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
life ~ the quality that a person has, because that person is alive. In John’s Gospel, it means to be completely alive in our spirits. When we *believe in Jesus, we receive this life as a special gift. When we have this life, we can live to please God. It is the best way to live.
Gospel ~ one of the 4 books at the beginning of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They record Jesus’ life.

New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus on the earth. It is about the things that Jesus did. And it is about the things that he taught. It is also about the church and what Christians should believe.
church ~ (1) All Christians everywhere. (2) The members of a local group of Christians.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
Hebrew ~ the language of the Jews. The Jews wrote in Hebrew.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
faith ~ to *believe in someone or something; to be really sure about the things of God and Jesus.
disciple ~ a person who wants to do the same things as another person and to learn from them. Jesus had disciples. John the Baptist had disciples, too.
Baptist ~ a person who baptises people.

baptise/baptism ~ to put a person into water, or to put water on a person; it is to show that the person wants to obey God. Christians receive baptism as a sign that they want to follow Jesus.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
Father ~ God. Jesus taught us to call God ‘Father’. All Christians are God’s children.
father ~ someone whom a person respects and follows; an ancestor. The Jewish leaders said that Abraham was their father. But Jesus said that the devil was their father, instead!
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
ancestor ~ person in the past from whom one’s parents came.
Jewish ~ the word that describes a Jew or anything that belongs to the Jews. The ‘Jewish leaders’ were a group of important Jews who lived in Judah.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
church ~ (1) All Christians everywhere. (2) The members of a local group of Christians.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
resurrection ~ to come back to life after death.'Old Testament ~ the first part of the Bible; the Jewish *scriptures. The writers wrote this before the birth of Jesus.
Jewish ~ the word that describes a Jew or anything that belongs to the Jews. The ‘Jewish leaders’ were a group of important Jews who lived in Judah.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
Israelite ~ a person who lived in Israel; a Jew.
Israel ~ name of the land that God gave to Jacob (who is also called Israel) and his sons (Genesis chapter 35). Also refers to the Jews, the group of people whom God chose to belong to him in a special way.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
cross ~ two pieces of wood that someone has fixed together. Roman soldiers fixed people to crosses in order to kill those people as a punishment. Jesus died on a cross. The cross is now the sign of the Christian church.
Roman ~ a person from Rome. Rome was an important city. The Emperor and the government lived in Rome. Roman describes everything that belonged to Rome.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
church ~ (1) All Christians everywhere. (2) The members of a local group of Christians.
Emperor ~ the chief Roman ruler.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
holy ~ what God is like. God’s character: perfect, completely good with nothing bad in it. Separate from sin.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
righteousness ~ moral goodness.
forever ~ always.
reject ~ not to accept or not to believe in someone or something.
Baptist ~ a person who baptises people.

baptise/baptism ~ to put a person into water, or to put water on a person; it is to show that the person wants to obey God. Christians receive baptism as a sign that they want to follow Jesus.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
Jerusalem ~ the capital city of Israel. It was the place where Israel’s early kings ruled. Later, the kings of the southern kingdom called Judah ruled in Jerusalem.
Israel ~ name of the land that God gave to Jacob (who is also called Israel) and his sons (Genesis chapter 35). Also refers to the Jews, the group of people whom God chose to belong to him in a special way.
kingdom ~ a place or country that a king rules. God’s kingdom is where God rules. God is the king of all Christians and all Christians are in his kingdom.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
Judea ~ the country where the Jews lived. Judea is a Greek and Roman name for the southern kingdom that is also called Judah. It is the region south of Samaria. Jerusalem was in Judea.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
Greek ~ a person from Greece; the language in which the authors wrote the New Testament.
Roman ~ a person from Rome. Rome was an important city. The Emperor and the government lived in Rome. Roman describes everything that belonged to Rome.
kingdom ~ a place or country that a king rules. God’s kingdom is where God rules. God is the king of all Christians and all Christians are in his kingdom.
Samaria ~ region between Galilee and Judea.
Jerusalem ~ the capital city of Israel. It was the place where Israel’s early kings ruled. Later, the kings of the southern kingdom called Judah ruled in Jerusalem.

New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus on the earth. It is about the things that Jesus did. And it is about the things that he taught. It is also about the church and what Christians should believe.
Emperor ~ the chief Roman ruler.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Galilee ~ an area and a large lake in northern Israel. The home area of Jesus and several of his disciples.
Israel ~ name of the land that God gave to Jacob (who is also called Israel) and his sons (Genesis chapter 35). Also refers to the Jews, the group of people whom God chose to belong to him in a special way.
church ~ (1) All Christians everywhere. (2) The members of a local group of Christians.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
disciple ~ a person who wants to do the same things as another person and to learn from them. Jesus had disciples. John the Baptist had disciples, too.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
Baptist ~ a person who baptises people.

baptise/baptism ~ to put a person into water, or to put water on a person; it is to show that the person wants to obey God. Christians receive baptism as a sign that they want to follow Jesus.
province ~ a region that the Romans governed. The Romans divided the countries that they ruled into provinces.
Roman ~ a person from Rome. Rome was an important city. The Emperor and the government lived in Rome. Roman describes everything that belonged to Rome.
Emperor ~ the chief Roman ruler.

'baptise/baptism ~ to put a person into water, or to put water on a person; it is to show that the person wants to obey God. Christians receive baptism as a sign that they want to follow Jesus.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.'baptise/baptism ~ to put a person into water, or to put water on a person; it is to show that the person wants to obey God. Christians receive baptism as a sign that they want to follow Jesus.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
Messiah ~ the Jews’ name for the special servant of God. It means the person whom God sent to save people from the results of their sins. Jesus is the Messiah.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
Israel ~ name of the land that God gave to Jacob (who is also called Israel) and his sons (Genesis chapter 35). Also refers to the Jews, the group of people whom God chose to belong to him in a special way.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.'New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus on the earth. It is about the things that Jesus did. And it is about the things that he taught. It is also about the church and what Christians should believe.
church ~ (1) All Christians everywhere. (2) The members of a local group of Christians.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
Christ ~ the Greek word for Messiah.
Greek ~ a person from Greece; the language in which the authors wrote the New Testament.
Messiah ~ the Jews’ name for the special servant of God. It means the person whom God sent to save people from the results of their sins. Jesus is the Messiah.

New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus on the earth. It is about the things that Jesus did. And it is about the things that he taught. It is also about the church and what Christians should believe.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
church ~ (1) All Christians everywhere. (2) The members of a local group of Christians.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.