Is regeneration absolutely necessary?
During a conversation with a Jewish ruler, whose name was Nicodemus, Jesus underlined the absolute necessity of regeneration: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3). This statement is shocking. Nicodemus was no ordinary person. He was a Jew and had received the sign of the covenant, circumcision, in his infancy. Being a Pharisee, he was strictly religious, endeavoring to obey the Law of God, praying, teaching the Scriptures and regularly visiting the synagogues to worship God. Despite all that, Nicodemus would never see heaven unless he was born again! Nicodemus could not take it in. “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” He would rather utter absurdities than admit that the human condition is miserable and hopeless. Pure spiritual life cannot be obtained by physical means. Jesus points out the source of the rebirth: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a m
