Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. -- John 3:3
"You know, my hearers, the text was spoken during some conversation between the Saviour and Nicodemus, who came to him by night. Important as this conversation is supposed to be by modern professors, one thing is certain, it was not regarded by any of the Evangelists but John, of sufficient importance to record. So that had it not been for the fact that John recorded this circumstance, we should hardly have known that it was necessary for one to be born again, as none of the Apostles, in their preaching or writings have referred to it, except Peter. I make these remarks, my hearers, in order to show you that the text and context was designed to apply to Nicodemus particularly, and not to the world. For it is not to be supposed, if the doctrine taught in the text is so highly important as some modern preachers imagine, that Matthew, Mark and Luke would have neglected to record so important a truth. Neither can we suppose, if it was designed to apply to all, and was so important a lesson, that Jesus would never have said it to any one but to Nicodemus, and that in the night, when none could hear but the one to whom it was addressed. ... There is, however, one phrase, which I think exactly corresponds with our text in its meaning. 'Except ye become as little children, ye cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven.' Becoming as a little child, and being born again, I think are synonimous terms. Here Jesus tells us, unless we become as a little child, we cannot believe the gospel. What is it to become as a little child? How is a little child? They are ready to be instructed, and anxious to learn. This is just what Nicodemus wanted. He wanted to be born again: to become as a little child, and with child-like simplicity to receive truth. Then, and not till then, would he believe."
-- from a sermon by Rev. Isaac D. Williamson (August 1831)
