YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN by Editor

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 13, 1856

"YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN."

By Editor

[SEVERAL have of late expressed a desire for an exposition of the new birth. John iii, 7 Perhaps therefore we can do no better at the present time, than to give the following article which was written by E. R. Pinney, and T. F. Barry, Sep. 20th, 1845. Concerning the birth by water, we would be glad to learn the opinions of different brethren who have examined the subject. We are hardly able to see the force of the information which says that a man must be born, or have existence, before he can enter the kingdom of God.]

THERE was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, who came to Jesus by night, to inquire concerning the nature of his kingdom. He expressed the utmost confidence in him as a teacher sent from God; because of the miracles he wrought. Verse 2. The first thing our Saviour presented for his consideration, was the necessity of being born again. Verse 3: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, (margin, from above,) he cannot see the kingdom of God." It is evident Nicodemus did not understand, from his reply in the next verse. Verse 4: "How can a man be born when he is old?" "Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus seeing his error, endeavors to correct it. Oh no, says Jesus, the second birth is not a natural birth, or birth of water, but of the Spirit. "For (verse 5) verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot ENTER into the kingdom of God." Now the question arises, What are we to understand by being born again, or from above by the Spirit; which birth is absolutely necessary to see, or enter the kingdom of God? I am aware that many hold that the kingdom of God was set up in the days of Christ's First Advent, (but Paul places it at his appearing to judge the quick and the dead; see 2 Tim. iv, 1,) and that faith in Christ or conversion, is the birth of the Spirit into that kingdom. From which position I dissent, and ask your candid attention, while from the Scriptures we endeavor to show