Signs of the Times, Book 1 - Ellen G. White

"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." But instead of
acknowledging this complimentary salutation, Jesus bent his calm and
searching eye upon the speaker, as if reading his very soul; then, with a
sweet and solemn voice, he spoke and revealed the true condition of
Nicodemus. "Verily, verily I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God."
The Pharisee was surprised out of his self-possession by these words, the
meaning of which he partially comprehended; for he had heard John the
Baptist preach repentance and baptism, and also the coming of One who
should baptize with the Holy Ghost. Nicodemus had long felt that there was
a want of spirituality among the Jews; that bigotry, pride, and worldly
ambition guided their actions in a great measure. He had hoped for a better
state of things when the Messiah should come. But he was looking for a
Saviour who would set up a temporal throne in Jerusalem, and who would
gather the Jewish nation under his standard, bringing the Roman power into
subjection by force of arms.
This learned dignitary was a strict Pharisee. He had prided himself upon
his own good works and exalted piety. He considered his daily life perfect in
the sight of God, and was startled to hear Jesus speak of a kingdom too pure
for him to see in his present state. His mind misgave him; yet he felt irritated
by the close application of the words to his own case, and he answered as if
he had understood them in the most literal sense, "How can a man be born
when he is old?"
Jesus, with solemn emphasis, repeated, "Verily, verily I say unto thee,
Except a man be born of the water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the
kingdom of God." The words of Jesus could no longer be misunderstood. His
listener well knew that he referred to water baptism and the grace of God.
The power of the Holy Spirit transforms the entire man. This change
1547