By Water and the Spirit
The sermon emphasizes that Baptismal Regeneration is the principle by which both Creation and New Birth occur, and that God's method has not changed throughout history.
G.W. North emphasizes that both the physical creation and the spiritual new birth occur simultaneously through the combined work of water and the Spirit. He illustrates that just as the Spirit of God was present during creation, so too is it essential for the new creation in Christ, which he refers to as Baptismal Regeneration. North argues that this regeneration is a continuation of God's original method, where the outward baptism symbolizes the inward spiritual transformation. He highlights the distinction between the first birth and the new birth, underscoring the necessity of spiritual rebirth for eternal life. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to recognize the profound connection between physical and spiritual realities in God's redemptive plan.
Text
Let us take note that in the beginning when God created the heaven and the earth there was no such thing as 'baptism' in water first, to be followed later by a second experience of Baptism in Spirit -- the whole happened synchronously. One word was spoken, one will expressed, one power was demonstrated with one result; water and Spirit were combined in one act of baptism.
Moses tells us that when God spoke His creative word, the Spirit of God was already moving (fluttering, brooding) upon the face of the water. It was utterly impossible for the earth to appear from out of the water without it also at that exact moment being in the Spirit. We see then that Creation was by water and Spirit. So also, Jesus says, is New Birth.
It is plain to behold that as in the beginning that 'new creation' was brought into being by a kind of baptismal generation, so is it also now. In the present, eternal New Creation, all is and can only be by the true baptismal regeneration. Whether it be Birth or New Birth, Creation or New Creation, all is by Baptismal Generation. The outward, material and physical is but the visible demonstration, parable, or picture of the inward, spiritual and real; God Himself has not changed, nor has He changed His method. However, because by the Gospel we are brought out of the old into the New, we speak of God's present work as Baptismal Regeneration.
The prefix 're' distinguishes the eternal condition from the temporal, the new birth from the first birth, spiritual life from natural life and the holy from the sinful which all men by first birth inherit.
Sermon Outline
- Creation and New Birth
- The Pattern of Baptismal Regeneration
- The Continuity of God's Method
- God's method has not changed
- The Gospel brings us into the New Creation
Key Quotes
“Whether it be Birth or New Birth, Creation or New Creation, all is by Baptismal Generation.” — G.W. North
“The outward, material and physical is but the visible demonstration, parable, or picture of the inward, spiritual and real;” — G.W. North
“God Himself has not changed, nor has He changed His method.” — G.W. North
Application Points
- We must recognize that spiritual life replaces natural life in the new birth, and that the holy replaces the sinful.
- The Gospel brings us into the New Creation, where Baptismal Regeneration is at work.
- We should understand that God's method has not changed, and that Baptismal Regeneration is the principle by which He brings about new life.