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The Conservative Reformation and Its Theology - Saint Mary ...

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them, it is not pretended that any of the terms used to designate the cause<br />

of the birth is symbolical. <strong>The</strong> fifteenth instance is the one before us.<br />

<strong>The</strong> phrase to "be born of" is never connected elsewhere in the New<br />

Testament with terms indicative of the means or cause of birth, which are<br />

symbolical in their character. <strong>The</strong> whole New Testament usage is in<br />

conflict with the supposition that it is here linked with a symbolical term.<br />

"Born of God" is used some eight or nine times. "Born of the Spirit"<br />

is used twice, <strong>and</strong> these, with the words before us, exhaust the New<br />

Testament use of the phrase.<br />

Without the context, then, the text itself would settle the question,<br />

<strong>and</strong> demonstrate that our Lord referred to Baptism.<br />

3. <strong>The</strong> parallels.<br />

<strong>The</strong> words of our Lord Jesus to Nicodemus are the keynote to the<br />

whole body of New Testament representation in regard to the necessity<br />

<strong>and</strong> efficacy of Baptism. <strong>The</strong> view which regards the words "Born of<br />

water <strong>and</strong> of the Spirit," as referring to Baptism, is sustained <strong>and</strong><br />

necessitated by the whole body of PARALLELS in the gospels <strong>and</strong><br />

epistles. Let us look at a few of these:<br />

1. In Titus iii. 5, Paul, speaking of God our Saviour, says: "He saved<br />

us, by the washing of regeneration, <strong>and</strong> renewing of the Holy Ghost."<br />

Here the subject is the same as in John iii. 5, the new birth, or regeneration.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re is a parallel between "born of God," <strong>and</strong> “regeneration," <strong>and</strong><br />

"renewing;" between "water" <strong>and</strong> "washing," or laver. "<strong>The</strong> Spirit" in the<br />

one is parallel with "the Holy Ghost" in the other, <strong>and</strong> "Entering into the<br />

kingdom of heaven" in the one has its parallel in the other, in the words,<br />

"He saved us." What a beautiful comment does Paul make on our Lord's<br />

word! Take up the words in John, <strong>and</strong> ask Paul their meaning. What is it to<br />

be "born again?" Paul replies, "It is to experience regeneration <strong>and</strong><br />

renewing." What is the "water," of which our Lord says we must be born?<br />

It is the washing of regeneration. What is the Spirit? Paul replies, "<strong>The</strong><br />

Holy Spirit." What is it to enter the kingdom of God? It is to be saved.<br />

2. Ephes. v. 26: "Christ loved the Church <strong>and</strong> gave Himself

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