Church Leaders Reject Jesus' Message

Jesus said, “I testify of that which I know…” “I speak of the secrets of the kingdom of God.” “I do miracles.” “I always obey my Father.” “Why do you not believe me?”   The church leadership was threatened by the authority of Jesus.  Jesus did not study in the yeshivas and did not minister the way the Pharisees anticipated Messiah would minister, i.e. within their established traditions and hierarchy.  Yet, his relationship to YHVH God was undeniable.  In like manner, when we are born of the Spirit people will not understand what we are doing, where we are going, or how we are guided.  Compromise, not syncretism via Constantine, has removed persecution from Christians.  *** Chapter 7: (Part 3) JESUS' WORDS TO NICODEMUS One night a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus and said: "Master, 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." Jesus answered: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 'Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Perplexed by the answer, Nicodemus asked: "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus replied: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 'Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God'. That which is born of flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, 'Ye must be born again.' The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth. So is everyone that is born of the Spirit.'" Nicodemus asked: "How can these things be?" Jesus answered: "Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 'We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.' If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye belie