by life is imparted to all men who will look in simple faith to Christ. The simplicity has been a stumbling- block to experiencing the work of regeneration, because man likes to feel that he at least can contribute some thing toward the realization of a regenerated life. Yet the fact remains that this work must be one accomplished entirely by the Spirit of God. The hymn writer has well stated the proper attitude in the lines: One might ask, What are the evidences that the work of regeneration has taken place? Christ pointed out to Nicodemus that the reason men refuse to come to the Saviour for a transformed life is because of their love for. sin. But, in contrast, “he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God” (John 3:21). The evidence of a regenerated life would be the continual coming to the light of the Word of God and thereby finding God’s mind, and rejecting the appetites which would be contrary to God’s will. The works of the flesh and the Spirit are con trasted in Galatians 5:19-23a: “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunken ness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long- suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temper ance: against such there is no law.” The test to determine whether a person has experi enced regeneration is the examination of the life to see which predominates: the works of the flesh or the fruit of the 'Spirit. The experience of regeneration may not produce an immediate and complete transformation in all phases of life. In fact, the changes at first may be quite imperceptible. But if the divine life has been im parted, the evidences will appear unmistakably. Andrew Jukes points out that “As when the Lord was bora, the world still went on its old way, little conscious that one had come who should one day change and rule all things, so when the new man is framed within, the old life for a while goes on much as before; the daily calling, and the earthly cares, and too often old lusts and habits also, still engross us; a worldly eye sees little new, while yet the life which shall live forever has been quickened within and a new man been formed who shall inherit all." The Baptism of the Spirit. In each of the four gospels, John the Baptist an nounces that Christ will baptize with the Holy Ghost (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33). It is important for every believer to know what was meant by this prediction. 1. The nature of baptism of the Spirit. Undoubtedly the clearest passage on the baptism of the Spirit is found in I Corinthians 12:13: “ For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” Through this work the believer becomes a part of Christ’s body. This relationship is achieved as a result of immersion into Jesus Christ by the Spirit. That Paul was writing to those whose state manifested many short comings emphasizes the fact that he was referring not to “Nothing in my hand I bring; Simply to thy cross I cling.” 3. Evidences of regeneration.
The Holy Spirit (continued) of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” c. Work of imparting new life. Christ’s words to Nicodemus were that he must “be bora of water and the Spirit.” The cleansing comes first and then the “Spirit of life” comes to indwell the life of the believer. In Titus 3:5 this is spoken of as the “ re newing of the Holy Ghost.” Ezekiel not only referred to the cleansing work but also promises »that “ I will put my spirit within you” (Ezekiel 37:27). This is the logical order. Before the Spirit of God can come to dwell in a life, there must be a cleansing by the redeeming power of God. Under “ the law of sin and death” one is separated from God. But when the blood of Christ is applied, one is able to stand completely justified before God, and this enables the Spirit of God to take up His abode in the heart of the redeemed. Christ often mentioned the promise of new life through the coming of the Spirit to indwell the believer. To the woman at the well He declared that “Whosoever drink- eth of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drink- eth of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:13, 14). That He was referring to the Holy Spirit as the one who would produce this life is evident from John 7:37b-39 where Christ exclaims, “ If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)” Christ in these verses spoke of a new life which not only gave the promise of eternal life, but the promise of a vital relation to God which would give a new en joyment of life now. According to Romans 8:2-4, the Spir it of life has made it possible for the believer to overcome the fleshly nature and live a life of righteousness before God if he is willing to walk “after the Spirit.” The caterpillar is formed with the capacity for be coming something higher. It can become either a moth or a butterfly. However, most of them die before they arrive at this state. Man too is bom with a capacity for something higher. It is not intended that he should live with the limited resources which he possesses as a result of natural birth. By receiving the divine nature he be comes a new creature in Christ Jesus. In fact, a portion of his life is completely undeveloped until he is brought to life by the Spirit of God. There is an emptiness in every person that remains until the Spirit of God brings him into intimate contact with God. 2. Method of regeneration. How is all this accomplished? In the conversation with Nicodemus, Christ appropriately presented the means by which the new birth could take place. He pointed out that “as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilder ness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:14- 16). He referred to an Old Testament episode when the Israelites were being bitten by deadly serpents. Moses was instructed to place a serpent of brass on a pole, so that whoever looked to the serpent would live. The analogy is made to the work of Christ on the cross where
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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