M E Stokes, DSW

Why Should We Be “Born Again?”

Matthew 3:11, 13 15-17, John 3:1-18 NIV Study Bible

Matthew 3:11 (John the Baptist) I Baptist you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with Fire.

Matthew 3:13 – Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John (15) …Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all of righteousness.” Then John consented.

Matthew 3:16 – As soon as Jesus was baptized he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on Him. (17) And a voice from heaven said, this is my Son, whom I love, with whom I am well pleased.

John 3:1-8 – (1) Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish Ruling Council. (2) He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him. (3) In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. (4) “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “ Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born!” (5) Jesus answered, “ I tell you the truth, no one can enter the Kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. (6) Flesh gives birth to flesh, but Spirit gives birth to Spirit. (7) You should not be surprised at my saying, “you must be born again”. 8. The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or, where it is going, so it is with everyone born of the Spirit.

Respectfully Submitted by

M. E. Stokes, D. S.W.

Bible Study January 30, 2016

Key Scriptures: Matthew 14:3-12; Mark 6:6:14-29; Luke 3:19-20, 9:7-9

Character: Herodias was proud, manipulative, and arrogant. She used her daughter to get revenge on John the Baptist. She had two husbands (1) Herod Philip and (2) Herod Antipas, who were her uncles and sons of Herod the Great. Herod the Great was her grand father and father-in-law.

I. Adultery: Mark 6:18 – For John said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.

II. Motivation: Luke 3:19 – But Herod the tetrarch being reproved by him for Herodias his brother, Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done. (V20) Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison. (Mark 6:19) – Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him but she could not.

III. Threat: Mark 6:1 – And they were out, and preached that men should repent and they cast out many devils and anointed with many that were sick and healed them. (Matthew 14:1) – At the time, Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, (V2) And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist, he is risen from the dead and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him.

IV. Fear: Matthew 14:5 – And when he would have put him to death he feared the multitude. because they counted him as a prophet. (Mark 6:20) For Herod feared John knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him.

V. Confusion: Luke 9:7 – Now Herod the Tetrach heard of all that was done by him; and he was perplexed because it was said of some that John was risen from the dead. (v9) and Herod said, John have I beheaded; but who is this of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.

VI. Temptation: Matthew 14:6 – But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased him.

VII. Manipulation: Mark 6:22 – And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in and danced, and pleased Herod and then she sat with him, the king said unto the damsel ask of me whatsoever thou will and I will give it to thee.

VIII. Plot: Matthew 14:8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.

IX. Promise: Matthew 14:7 – Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatever she would ask. (Mark 6:23) – And he swear unto her, whatsoever thou shall ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. (Mark 6:24) And she said the head of John the Baptist.

X. Choice: Matthew 14:9 – And the King was very sorry; nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given. (V10) And he sent and beheaded John in Prion.

All Scriptures from The Bible, KJV.

Reference: Jean E Syswerds, Women of the Bible, 52 Bible studies for Individual and Groups, Zondervan, 1999.