Page:Studies in the Scriptures - Series I - The Plan of the Ages (1909).djvu/285

 tell them, for the same reason that I cannot tell youj and they could not understand, for the same reason. But, Nico- demus, one peculiarity of God's dealings is that he requires obedience to the light already possessed before more light is given; and in the selection of those who shall be ac- counted worthy to share the kingdom, a manifestation of faith is required. They must be such as axe willing to fol- low God's leading, step by step, often seeing only the one advance step clearly. They walk by faith and not by sight.

Nicodemus. But I do not understand you. What do you mean ? " How can a man be begotten when he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" Or do you mean that Jthe repentance preached by "John the Immerser," and signified by baptism in water, is somehow a symbolic birth? I notice that your disciples preach and baptize similarly. Is this the new birth necessary to those who would see or enter your Kingdom?

Jesuf Our nation is a consecrated nation, a covenant people. They were all baptized into Moses in the sea and in the cloud when they left Egypt. God accepted them in Moses, the mediator of their covenant, at Sinai; but they have forgotten their covenant, some are openly living as publicans and sinners, and many others are self-righteous hypocrites; hence John's preaching and that of my disciples is repentance a return to God and to a recognition of the covenant made; and the baptism of John signifies this re- pentance and reformation of heart and life, and not the new birth. But unless you have more than this you will never see the Kingdom. Except in addition to the reformation symbolized by John's baptism you receive a begetting and birth of the spirit, you cannot see my Kingdom, Repent ance will bring you back to a justified condition ; in thai condition you will be able readily to recognize me as Mes*

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