Born of the Spirit

In John 3:3-7, Jesus introduces Nicodemus to the concept of being "born again," or more precisely, "born from above." He emphasizes that entering God's kingdom requires a new birth, not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. When Nicodemus stumbles over this idea, Jesus responds in verse 8 with a vivid comparison:

The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

- John 3:8

This image helps Nicodemus–and us–understand that the Spirit's work in new birth is mysterious, sovereign, and undeniable in its effects. Just as one cannot control the wind yet can see its impact on trees and feel it against the skin, so the Spirit brings about a transformation that cannot be explained in purely human terms but can certainly be observed in a changed life.

Jesus' reference to being "born of water and the Spirit" (v. 5) is naturally understood by early Christians as a reference to baptism. In the New Testament, baptism is consistently tied to forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; Titus 3:5; Romans 6:3-4). Far from being a human ritual of cleansing alone, baptism is the God-ordained moment when the Spirit brings about new birth. In other words, baptism is not opposed to the Spirit's sovereign activity but is the very means through which the Spirit operates in obedience to Christ's word.

Thus, the sequence in this dialogue is:

• One must be born again (vv. 3-4).
• This birth comes from water and Spirit, pointing toward baptism as the place of God's saving work (vv. 5-7).
• The Spirit's role is sovereign and mysterious, bringing about new life in a way unseen yet undeniable (v. 8).

Nicodemus wanted to reduce Jesus' teaching to something tangible and predictable. Jesus instead lifted his understanding to the level of the Spirit's sovereign action through baptismal new birth–a divine mystery that leads to a visible transformation in those who believe and obey.