Quote:
Originally Posted by OBW
You get this from those verses?
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Please read the following verses:
John
3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
3:16 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.
3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
My understanding of these verses is that only Jesus is the man who knows both heavenly and earthly things (and although it isn't mentioned here, also things of the various realms of hades) and that this is one requirement for a leader. Second, Jesus is the one who will be lifted up that we all must look to to be healed. According to the context of talking to Nicodemus, this also is an aspect of His leadership. Third, Jesus has come into the world to save the world. This is the third aspect of His leadership.
In every case only Jesus can fulfill these.
Therefore, if Nicodemus wants to be a "leader" of the people his only way is if he can commune and receive the fellowship that Jesus and the Apostle's are giving.
But more importantly we have to look at the question that Nicodemus "secretly" asked Jesus
John
3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3:3 Jesus answered...
If you look at Jesus answer to the "question" you have to conclude that Nicodemus is asking
"How can I be a teacher come from God?"