THE NEW BIRTH,
I. What Is the New Birth?
(1) 2 Cor. 5: 17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new,
Gal. 6: 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any
thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.;
1.The New Birth is a New creation.
2) 1Jno. 3: 14, We know that we have passed out of
death into life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not
abideth in death."
Eph. 2: 1, 4, 5, R.V. And you did he quicken when ye were dead
through your trespasses and sins. . . . But God being rich in
mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were
dead through our trespasses, quickened us together with Christ (by
grace have ye been saved).
2. The New Birth is a passing out or death into life, the impartation of life to men dead through trespasses and sins.
It is evident that Baptism is not the New Birth. The
language used above does not fit baptism. One of the passages given (Gal. 6: 15) expressly contrasts the New Birth with an outward ceremonial.
The same thing is evident from i Cor. 4: 15; For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in
Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.; Here Paul tells the saints in Corinth that he had begotten them again. If Baptism were the New Birth this must mean that Paul had baptized them. But in 1
Cor. 1: 14, 17 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus
and Gaius: . . . For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made
of none effect), Paul says he had not baptized them. Clearly the
New
Birth is not Baptism.
That Baptism is not the New Birth is clear also from Acts 8: 13,
20-23
Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. . . . But Peter said unto him, Thy money
perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be
purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter:
for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy
wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be
forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.
In this passage we are told that Simon was;baptized,; but that he was; in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity,;
and bound for perdition. Compare also Luke 23: 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in para
dise,; with Jno. 3: 3, 5;Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. . . . Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be
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