The Holy Spirit in John's Gospel

Trying to get my head around the Holy Spirit in John Gospel (for NT2 essay). As a result I've been reading the work of Carson and Kostenberger (Baker Exegetical) in their Commentaries (Carson generally is better, better at answering my questions I think), as well as a new book by Kostenberger and Swain in the NSBT series (Father, Son and Holy Spirit in John)...Basically really helpful stuff, but there is one point where I think I disagree with Carson and Kostenberger though (but not sure if my argument is sound). This is on the reference in John 3:5-8. Is it a reference to the person of the Holy spirit (ie born of water and the Spirit, so NIV, TNIV, ESV and other trans), or is it just a reference to spiritual renewal? While I get the fact that grammatically v5 'water and Spirit' are governed by the preposition ek, I think the reference is a reference to the person of the Holy Spirit because of the strong allusion to Ezekiel 36:26-27 where Yahweh promises cleansing and renewal by water (yes), and promises to place HIS SPIRIT in Israel. Also v 8 does appear to be a reference to the person of the Spirit (by analogy with wind). With that background is it not possible to John 3:5-8 as a reference to the person of the Spirit? Just getting my thoughts down.

Why did Jesus come?

I've been studying for my new testament exam which is tomorrow, and I guess I was hit again as to why Jesus came into this world. He, the one that was from eternity past, came into our world for a purpose:

9 The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him.11 He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.12 But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name,13 who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.
(John 1:9-13 HCSB).

That's just excellent. He came so we can become children of God. Where do you stand with this Jesus?

A great quote!

Just after community chapel today (By the way, a really encouraging sermon by Phillip Jensen on Hosea 11), at morning tea, some friends and I were chatting (As you do), and we got talking about the current term, which some have affectionately called "the new term of death". At this point my friend Stephen McGuiness came out with this great line:

"I didn't realized it was the term of death, until I died!"

It has us in stitches...thanks Stephen.

P.S. While this term has been hard, I have to say the work is so worth it!