Recorded live at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in McKinney, Texas. Visit us online at www.orthodox.net ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtXF8oSUros

Exegesis of the encounter of Nicodemus with Christ. Baptism, the Cross, Morality. John 3:1-21 The encounter of Nicodemus with Christ is absolutely necessary for a catechumen (and everyone else) to understand Christian baptism and its connection with the Cross. This encounter also contains much moral teaching and advice about life in general. We examine it, verse by verse. 2023-08-20 Partial Timestamps: 0:46 – 41:26 The conversation with Nicodemus: John 3:1-21 0:46 – 2:28 John 3:1-2 “Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemos, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This one came to Jesus by night, and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that Thou hast come from God as a teacher; for no one is able to do these signs which Thou doest unless God be with him.” 2:28 John 3:3 “Jesus answered and said to him, “Verily, verily, I say to thee, except one should be born again, he is not able to see the kingdom of God.”” 2:36 – 3:04 Jesus answers questions differently than any other 40:35 – 41:37 John 3:19-21 “And this is the judgment, that the light hath come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were evil. 20 “For everyone who practiseth bad things hateth the light and cometh not to the light, lest his works should be reproved; 21 “but the one who doeth the truth cometh to the light, in order that his works might be made manifest, that they have been wrought in God.” 41:37 – 43:24 John 3:22 “After these things Jesus came, and His disciples, to the Judæan land; and there He was spending time with them, and was baptizing.” 41:37 – 43:24 Jesus did not baptize(but his disciples did) – for a very important reason. The baptism of John, contrasted with Christian baptism 43:30 – 45:27 Question: Is baptism necessary for salvation? 45:30 – 50:38 Would you define what it means to “do things spiritually?” And also, how to approach any task or concern in life. 50:42 – 51:57 Will baptism make it easier to pray for people that are irritating? 54:05 – 59:38 (end) A little bit about Transfiguration. And facts abot the calendar and Transfiguration. Why is it celebrated in August? Audio: http://www.orthodox.net/catechism/catechism_2023-08-20+john-chapter-3+baptism.mp3 Video: https://youtu.be/UcOX0PIKNEY ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcOX0PIKNEY