that others were coming. He was being identified with humanity, not with man's sins. It was not a case that Jesus needed it. The Saviour was now entering into His media torial offices of prophet, priest and king. He went through this formal cleansing. This was a means of in troducing Himself as the Messiah, the promised King. Do not forget that this has a prophetic signifi cance, too. Just as baptism means death to the old life, so Christ was looking on to His death on Cal vary's cross and to His coming res urrection from the grave. HOW CAN IT BE? How can it be that God Who made all things, From flower petal to the farthest star, Should go again beyond imaginings To seek the love of such ones as we are? Though He created us to be His friends, Sin came between us and that Holy one; Yet, loving still, He willed to make amends, And gave for our redemption His own Son. And now He says to those who heed His cry, His purchased ones, beloved by Him, "Draw near, Come, let us feast together, you and I; You are my ¡oy. Each one of you is dear." God wants our fellowship. How can it be? But oh, the sweet reality to me! —Marie Strachan Page 19
Q. San Diego, Calif. "Some Bible teachers say that the new birth is not found in the Old Testament. Is this correct? If so, then why does John 3:10 indicate that Nicodemus ought to know about the new birth?" A. If you mean the words "new birth," you will not find them in either the New or the Old Testa ments. Keep in mind that our Bibles originally were written basically in either Hebrew or Greek. The new birth is certainly taught in John 3, as well as in 1:12, 13. Any teacher who says that the new birth is not in the Old Testament is wrong. Christ logically could not expect Nicodemus to know about it other wise. Consider Jeremiah 32:39, 40. This testifies of it definitely. It is even more explicit in Ezekiel 11:19 and 36:24. Q. Bremerton, Wash. "Does the Bible say anything either for or against blood transfusions?" A. There is no place in Scripture that speaks either in favor or in opposition of this. We think it is a very practical and worthwhile de velopment of medical science whereby a person's life can be po tentially saved physically. Cod has given man this particular wisdom which is not contrary to His Word. Q. St. John, Kans. "Why did Jesus Christ, who knew no sin, accept John's baptism of repentance (Mat thew 3:15)? Was He not showing us by example that we should ac cept this baptism for our salva tion?" A. One reason was that this was one of the strongest possible meth ods of indicating that Christ was not coming for the same reason
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