THE NEW BIRTH

By Bob Myhan

Some argue that water baptism is not essential to salvation be­cause all that is necessary is to be born again. But those who so argue do not understand how one is “born again.” The need to be “born again” was first mentioned in a dialogue between Jesus and a man named Nicodemus.

Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "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 answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3-5).

We can see from the above that being "born again" is the same as being "born of water and of the Spirit." Thus, the "new birth" involves both "water" and "the Spirit." But what part do “water” and “the Spirit” play in the "new birth"?

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Cor. 5:17).

Therefore, that which puts a person “into Christ” makes him “a new creation” and is necessary to the “new birth.”

But water baptism puts a person “into Christ” (Rom. 6:4; Gal. 3:27). Therefore, water baptism makes a person “a new creation” and is necessary to the “new birth.”

This ex­plains why, in the book of Acts (often called the book of conversions) every time "water" appears it appears in con­nection with baptism (Acts 1:5; 8:35-39; 10:44-48; 11:16).

To some who had experienced the new birth, Peter wrote,

Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of cor­ruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever (1 Pet. 1:22-23).

When one obeys the truth, he purifies his soul and is “born again … through the word of God.”

Since the Holy Spirit revealed the word of God, and the word of God commands the alien sinner to be bap­tized, one who is baptized according to the word of God is "born of water and of the Spirit" and is no longer an alien sinner but a citizen in the kingdom of God.

But, on the other hand, one who has not been baptized in water for the remis­sion of sins has not been born again, re­mains an alien sinner, is outside the king­dom of God and is in a lost condition. If this is not so, why is it not? &

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST — WHAT IS IT? (Part 1)

By Bob Myhan

What do you think of when you hear someone speak of the church of Christ? Do you think of nothing more than a group of local churches? Do you think of a group of lo­cal churches whose mem­bers believe the Lord’s Supper must be eaten every Sun­day? Do you think of a group of local churches whose members stubbornly re­fuse to use musical instru­ments in wor­ship? Do you think of a radi­cal denomi­nation that teaches only its members are going to heaven? Just what is the church of Christ? I am afraid there are many, both in and out of the church of Christ, who cannot give a correct answer to this question. We will begin our study by no­ticing what the church of Christ is not. Then we will notice what it is.

IT IS NOT A DENOMINATION!

For purposes of this article, a “denomination” is “a re­ligious group, usually including many lo­cal churches.” (Webster’s New Univer­sal Un­abridged Dictionary). It is understandable that people who have been exposed to denominationalism all their lives would think that the church of Christ is just another denomination, like the Baptist Church, the Methodist Church, etc. As a matter of fact, denomina­tionalism is such an accepted part of our culture in America that many people have trouble accepting the truth that such is sim­ply not authorized in God’s word. But Jesus said He would build His church [singular] not a plurality of denominations!

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His dis­ciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt 16:13-18).

Shortly be­fore His death on the cross, Jesus prayed for the unity [not the diversity] of all believers.

"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17:20-21).

Surely, all can see that denominational­ism is totally inconsistent with the prayer of Jesus for unity.

Not only is denominationalism inconsistent with the prayer of Jesus for unity, but the apostle Paul con­demned the sectarian spirit that would ul­timately lead to denominational­ism.

Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judg­ment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?  (1 Cor. 1:10-13)

Paul told the elders of the church in Ephesus that Jesus purchased the church with His own blood. 

“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28).

John the Baptist died a very bloody death - he was beheaded - but not one drop of his blood went toward the purchase of the Lord’s church! Why, then should the Lord's church be named for John or any other man?

The Bible says that God “put all things under [Jesus’] feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. ” (Eph. 1:22-23). Which church is this? Surely, it is His church. He is “head over all things to the church,” in that He has the last word re­garding all of its ac­tivities. In teaching and practice, we must “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col. 3:17), because “all au­thority … in heaven and on earth” has been given to Him (Matt. 28:18).

Answer this question, please. Does any denomination on earth consider all saved people its members? According to God’s word, “the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). What church was this? Certainly, it was His church. If this is not the case, why is it not?

[To be continued]