To Correspondents by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 28, 1871

To Correspondents.

By Editor

J. W. N. asks, Are the new birth and regeneration synonymous terms? and, Is baptism a part of, or connected with, the new birth?

We understand regeneration to mean a renewal of being, a reproduction, or formation into a new and better state. This will be fully accomplished for us when we are made immortal and enter upon eternal life. So we think birth is used as a figure to illustrate comprehensively this great change in man—a change from a sinful, mortal state, to one that is holy and eternal. But this consists of a number of steps. First, conversion is necessary; and with this baptism is connected; then a growth in spiritual life, and a perfection of Christian character; and finally a change to immortality by translation, or a resurrection from the dead. We think all these are included in the term, new birth.

G. E. MCCORD: We think the action of Paul, as recorded in Acts 21: 26, is one of the instances in which he tried to become all things to all men, that he might save some. He here endeavored to allay the prejudices of the Jews by conforming to a custom, which, although it was of no virtue, would do no hurt. It does not appear that this was the wisest course; for he does not seem to have been prospered in it any more than in his appeal to Cæsar. Chap. 25: 11; 26: 32.

P. W. B., Jasper Co., Iowa: We understand the gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble, of 1 Cor. 3: 12, to refer to the different classes of persons a preacher brings out upon the truth. These are a test of his work; for the kinds of persons he brings out, and their proficiency in the divine life, depend upon his own standard of holiness and his faithfulness in setting before them the way of obedience. And the day that is coming will test his work. If his converts endure, and he can present at last a large company of faithful souls who have overcome, as the result of his labors, he will have great reward. But if his converts fail to stand the test of the Judgment, he will have nothing to show as the result of his labors, and will consequently suffer loss; though the circumstances may have been such that he himself will be saved.

2 John 10, if we rightly apprehend its meaning, teaches us that we should not show to the advocates of error, either by word or deed, that we approve of, or sympathize with them in, their work. We do not, however, think it forbids our doing whatever acts courtesy or charity may require toward them as individuals.

W. C. of Ohio: The “one thing needful” and “good part” spoken of, in Luke 10: 42, we understand to mean giving attention to the wants of our moral and spiritual nature rather than the physical. This was of first importance; other things were secondary. Martha had made it her chief anxiety to prepare a sumptuous entertainment for her guest; while Mary had made it her chief concern to hear words of instruction from his lips. Jesus rebuked the worldly-mindedness of Martha in giving paramount attention to temporal concerns, and commends the course of Mary in attending first to the spiritual. To say that Christ meant to say that only one dish, or kind, of food was necessary for a meal, as some do, seems to us like greatly lowering the dignity of his words. —In regard to attending funerals on the Sabbath, we think it should be avoided unless circumstances are such that a refusal to attend would create prejudice, and hedge up the way for the advancement of the truth.

I. A. LANPHERE: We would recommend the Youth’s Instructor, published at this Office, as a paper calculated to interest the minds of your children in the present truth. We have question books on the History of the Sabbath.

J. HANSON: What is said in Luke 14: 31–33, of the king who goes to war, is given as an illustration of the course a person should take who sets out to serve the Lord. Just as a king, any king, going to war, would carefully consider whether he was able to meet his enemy, and if not, take measures to secure peace; so the servant of God should consider what it will cost him to be a Christian, and if he cannot comply with the conditions (for it will cost him all), he had better not claim to be a disciple of Jesus.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH: Respecting the German of John 20: 19, appeal to the Greek, from which that translation was made, as well as ours. All translations must preserve their fidelity to the original.