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Water plus the Word! Those who misinterpreted these verses said that, water is also the word. That is wrong! The water refers to the literal water, accompanied by the Word—water and Spirit, inasmuch as the Word is the Spirit! And we will be able to prove this in John 6:63, which says--
“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
That is why, what St. Paul said was right, “cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” Therefore, being born again is a state, or condition, in life. It applies to people who have received baptism. “Born again” is not a name! The correct manner of addressing this person is by calling him a CHRISTIAN. A Christian is a person who has undergone the process that Christ, Himself, taught. And that is being born again of water and of spirit. This is the same reason why, joining together the words “born again” and “Christian” is a gross ignorance of the Bible. Why? If a person is considered a Christian, it is understood that he had been born again. And when we say that a person is born again, it is understood that he is a Christian.
Now, why are we discussing this matter? Because there is an intention why one should be born again, or go thru baptism. It is done so that one can enter the kingdom of heaven. John 3:5 says--
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
What is the kingdom of God that is entered by those who had been born of water and of spirit? Earlier, we mentioned that the kingdom of God on earth is the Church. And to prove that there is really a kingdom of God right here on earth, let us read Matthew 6:9-10, which reads:
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”
Actually, this is a very popular prayer and song among our fellows. According to the prayer that was taught by our Lord Jesus Christ: “Thy kingdom come;” and when His kingdom comes, “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”
Our Lord commanded the Apostles to pray in that manner. But the question now is: has this prayer been realized? Had the kingdom of God come? You see, until now, many people still recite this prayer as if the kingdom of God has not yet come. Let us find out from the Bible if God already answered this prayer. This is what Matthew 6:33 says--
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
In other words, the kingdom of God is already here on earth because God is commanding us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. God will never command us to seek for these if we are not going to find any, here on earth. In the first place, God made a promise to those who will search for these. Matthew 7:7-8 says--
“Ask, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
Therefore, when God said, “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,” He, at the same time, gave a guarantee that it will be found by whoever seeks for it. But where can it be found? The assurance that the Bible gave is that, it can be found here on earth. This is the reason why we can be sure that there is a kingdom here on earth. Now, let us find out which is being referred to as the kingdom of God, which should be entered? Let us read what Colossians 3:15 says--
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
The body that Christ heads is the Church. Ephesians 1:21-22 gives us the confirmation--
“For above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.”
Where is Christ ruling over? It is in the CHURCH, and not in what they call as “ministries,” or “international crusade!” The Church is the kingdom of God here on earth, and it is where people are enjoined to get in. That is why it is a big lie to claim that it is no longer important because the Church which was built in the first century is the realization of the prayer that Jesus Christ taught the Apostles. What is saddening is that, they have replaced that church with what they call “fellowships,” “ministries,” and “crusades.” They do not want to join the Church, and they also hinder others who want to get inside. The proof that the Church has an inner part is written in Matthew 25:30, which says:
“And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
It is outside the Church that the unprofitable servants are thrown. But, who are these unprofitable servants? I Corinthians 5:12-13 says:
“For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? Do not ye judge that that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”
The unprofitable slaves refer to the wicked persons, and their destination is the darkness outside the Church. Here, we have proven that there is an outer and an inner portion of the church. If we want to be saved, we have to get inside the Church, because the Church is the kingdom wherein God reigns. And for us to get inside the Church, we have to be baptized, or be born of water and spirit.
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Bible
The
Way to Salvation
