The ancient Hebrews had a word which affirmed the truthfulness of what was said. That same word was literally brought over into the Greek language with the same affirmation about truth. It may seem strange, but that same Hebrew/Greek word became an English word. That word is amen. It appears 30 times in the Old Testament and 132 times in the New Testament. Amen simply means “let it be true” or “it is true.” Jesus himself used this word 103 times.
It is not always translated amen. It often is translated “verily” in the KJV. This is seen in the 25 times He emphasized the truth He was about to say and said, “Verily, verily.” The NKJV translated this compound usage as “most assuredly.” Your life will be enriched when Jesus said, “Amen, amen” or “Verily, verily.”
His words are always truth. However, Jesus so often highlighted truth and some fifty times said, “Verily I say to you…” The other fifty times he used the compound phrase. His words are truth. They are very true. They are very truth, very true. Consider the following discussion of truth which Jesus began by saying, “Verily, verily, I say to you.”
So many know that Jesus spoke of being born again. However, most have failed to realize how Jesus defines that new birth. Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Nicodemus thought he was speaking of a literal birth, so Jesus expanded what He said. “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” (John 3:5).
Being born again is not a fleshly birth, but the creation of a new person, and it truly involved both water and the Spirit. Read the book of Acts as it shows those who were taught the words given by the Spirit entered into water. They were all baptized in water!
The truth that being born again involves both the Spirit and water could have been established by Jesus simply saying that for one to be born again water was involved in it. Jesus chose to emphasize water baptism by beginning His teachings saying “Verily, I say unto you…” Yet, He did more! He said, “Verily, verily I say unto you…” His words are so remarkable. Jesus said, “It is true, it is true…” What is true? That the new birth involves more than the Spirit—it involves water. Jesus taught it involves water. Jesus truly (verily) taught it involves water. Jesus truly, truly taught it involves water!
The next time you read the book of John, pay special attention to the 25 times Jesus said, “Verily, verily.” Your life will be changed by doing this kind of study!