Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, who was a leading man among the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night, and said to him: “Rabbi, we know that you are a Teacher come from God; for no one could give such signs as you are giving, unless God were with him.”
“In truth I tell you,” exclaimed Jesus, “unless a man is reborn, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
“How can a man,” asked Nicodemus, “be born when he is old? Can he be born a second time?”
“In truth I tell you,” answered Jesus, “unless a man owes his birth to Water and Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. All that owes its birth to human nature is human, and all that owes its birth to the Spirit is spiritual. Do not wonder at my telling you that you all need to be reborn. The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes, or where it goes; it is the same with every one that owes his birth to the Spirit.”
“How can that be?” asked Nicodemus.
“What! You a teacher of Israel,” exclaimed Jesus, “and yet do not understand this! In truth I tell you that we speak of what we know, and state what we have seen; and yet you do not accept our statements. If, when I tell you earthly things, you do not believe me, how will you believe me when I tell you of heavenly things? No one has ascended to Heaven, except him who descended from Heaven–the Son of Man himself. And, as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up; That every one who believes in him may have Immortal Life.” (John 3:1-15)
(From the 1928 Book of Common Prayer)
Positive Infinity 