João 3
William Barclay · Citado em PreceptAustin
João 3
Barclay says monogenes means "unique and specially beloved. Obviously an only son has a unique place and a unique love in his father's heart. So this word came to express uniqueness more than anything else. It is the conviction of the New Testament that there is no one like Jesus. He alone can bring God to men and bring men to God."
João 3
Barclay - ‘This is the truth I tell you—unless a man is reborn from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ NET John 3:3 Jesus replied, "I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God." GNT John 3:3 ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω σοι, ἐὰν μή τις γεννηθῇ ἄνωθεν, οὐ δύναται ἰδεῖν τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ. NLT John 3:3 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God." KJV John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. ESV John 3:3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." NIV John 3:3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. " ASV John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God. CSB John 3:3 Jesus replied, "I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." NKJ John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." NRS John 3:3 Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." YLT John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, 'Verily, verily, I say to thee, If any one may not be born from above, he is not able to see the reign of God;' NAB John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." NJB John 3:3 Jesus answered: In all truth I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above. GWN John 3:3 Jesus replied to Nicodemus, "I can guarantee this truth: No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." BBE John 3:3 Jesus said to him, Truly, I say to you, Without a new birth no man is able to see the kingdom of God. Truly. See on Jn 1:51. Mt +*5:18. 2 Co 1:19, 20. Re 3:14. Unless Mt 4:9. Jn 3:5, 6. Jn 1:13. Mt 18:3. 1 Co 2:14. Ga 6:15. Ep 2:1, 4, 5. Titus 3:5. Jas 1:18. 1 Pe 1:3, 23. 1 Jn 2:29. 3:9. 5:1, 18. again. or, from above. John 3:7, 31. Jn 1:13. Jn 19:11. 2 Co 5:17. Ga 4:9. Gal 6:15. Jas 1:17. 3:15, 17. 1 Pe 1:23. he cannot see. Jn 3:5, 36. Jn 1:5. 12:40. Dt 29:4. Jer 5:21. Mt 13:11-16. 16:17. Mk 16:16n. 1 Co 6:9, 10. 15:50. 2 Co 4:4. He 12:14. the kingdom of God. Jn 18:36, 37. 1 Ch 28:4, 5. Mt 12:28. 25:34. Mk 1:15. Lk 4:43. 22:29, 30. Ac 1:3, 6. Acts 8:12. 14:22. 19:8. 20:25. 28:23, 31. Ro 9:8. Ro 14:17. 1 Co 4:20, 1 Cor 6:9, 10, 1 Cor 15:50. Ga 5:21. Ep 5:5. Col 1:13. 4:11. 1 Th 2:12. 2 Th 1:5. 2 Ti 4:1, 18. He 12:28. Ja 2:5. 2 Pe 1:11. Re 5:10. Rev 12:10 John 3 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JESUS GOES DIRECTLY FOR THE HEART OF NICODEMUS Jesus answered and said to him - Actually Nicodemus does not ask a question (at least none is recorded by John). B F Westcott says "The Lord answered not his words, but his thoughts.” As we saw in Jn 2:25+ Jesus "knew what was in man," so He recognizes Nicodemus' greatest need. As a religious Pharisee, Nicodemus had spent his entire life focused on doing works to attain right standing with God (and entrance into His Kingdom). But as their dialogue evolves into a "Messianic monologue" (especially beginning in Jn 3:10), Jesus expounds to Nicodemus that a person is saved not by his (Nicodemus') doing but by His (Jesus') dying! (Jn 3:16) In short, Jesus cuts to the chase and describes the greatest need of every man and woman who have been born once is that they must be born twice; i.e., they must be born again! The old saying is short but sure.... Born once, die twice. Born twice, die once. THOUGHT - If you are a "seeker" or a "skeptic" reading these words, then be careful for you may end up like Felix when he heard Paul "as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.” (Acts 24:25+) Or you may procrastinate like King Agrippa who (in effect) heard the good news of need for a new birth and declared “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.” (Acts 26:28+) We have no record of either man being born again and likely both men entered into eternal punishment where they will forever ponder their tragic words! Don't be like Felix or Agrippa but believe for "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (Jn 3:36+) There is no middle ground. No neutrality in this spiritual war for your soul. Believe and be saved (Acts 16:31+) " Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION”" (2 Cor 6:2) Truly, truly I say to you - Truly is amen meaning "It is and shall be so." Truly, truly in used only by John to introduce a statement of special import and was used three times (Jn 3:3; 5; 11) in Jesus dialogue with Nicodemus! (cf Jn 1:51; Jn 3:3, 5, 11; Jn 5:19, 24–25; 6:26, 32, 47, 53; Jn 8:34, 58;Jn 10:1, 7; Jn 12:24; Jn 13:16, 20–21, 38; Jn 14:12; Jn 16:20, 23; Jn 21:18). And so Jesus' first words emphasize the supreme importance of the truth He is preparing to present. Only Jesus uses the double amen and only Jesus uses amen at the beginning of a sentence rather than the end. When used at the end amen confirms the preceding words and invokes their fulfillment. But placed at the beginning of the sentence amen gives a strong affirmation, guaranteeing the truth of what His says and underscores His authority, for He alone is the "Amen, the faithful and true Witness." (Rev 3:14+) for as Paul said "all the promises of God in Him (CHRIST) are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." (2 Cor 1:20KJV) In other words, the promises of God find their sure fulfillment, their "Yes," in Christ! Truly (281)(amen) is a transliteration from the Hebrew word amen which in turn is from the Hebrew verb aman = to be firm, to believe, this word conveying the idea of certainty). Amen has been called the best-known word in human speech. To say Amen confirms a statement and as noted above when doubled signifies the special importance of the statement. John's Gospel has 25 uses of amen and every use is a double amen. None of the synoptic Gospels use a "double amen." Truly, truly (amen, amen) is only used by Jesus in the Bible - 25x in 25v - 8:8; Jn. 1:51; Jn. 3:3; Jn. 3:5; Jn. 3:11; Jn. 5:19; Jn. 5:24; Jn. 5:25; Jn. 6:26; Jn. 6:32; Jn. 6:47; Jn. 6:53; Jn. 8:34; Jn. 8:51; Jn. 8:58; Jn. 10:1; Jn. 10:7; Jn. 12:24; Jn. 13:16; Jn. 13:20; Jn. 13:21; Jn. 13:38; Jn. 14:12; Jn. 16:20; Jn. 16:23; Jn. 21:18 Unless one is born again - This is the single most important subject in all of time and eternity, and yet there is sadly much confusion on what it means to be born again. The following discussion will look at the individual words Jesus uses and at the end of this verse note is a summary from Gary Brady on 15 things the new birth is not (see note). This passage clearly describes the narrow way about which Jesus commands His hearers to enter in the Sermon on the Mount declaring “Enter (aorist imperative - No one obey this command to enter unless the Holy Spirit provides the desire and power! cf Jn 3:5, 6 8) through the narrow gate (cf "unless one is born again"); for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction (apoleia cf cognate apollumi in Jn 3:15, 16+), and there are many who enter through it. “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.(Mt 7:13-14+, cf Lk 13:24,25+, Acts 3:19+) Unless (ean me) is literally "if not" and is translated except, unless (e.g., in Mt 5:20+). This conditional conjunction is used 4x in John 3 (Jn. 3:2; Jn. 3:3; Jn. 3:5; Jn. 3:27) Unless is a critical conjunction in this passage. In English dictionaries "unless" means "except under the circumstances that; except on the condition that." Another says 'Unless is defined as except something else happens." In this case that "something else" that must happen is that Nicodemus must be born again. This is not optional! There is no "Plan B." Just as the first birth is necessary for physical life, So the second birth is necessary for divine life. One is born - Born can refer to a man fathering or a woman bearing a child, although in this instance it relates to a particular event, rather than a process. Born (1080)(gennao from genos = offspring, in turn from ginomai = to become) means literally to beget (as spoken of men as in Mt 1:2-16KJV) or less commonly to bear (spoken of women - Lk 1:13, Lk 1:57, Lk 23:29, Jn 16:21). John uses gennao in his first epistle to describe one of the tests to assess whether a person is truly born again writing "you know that everyone also who practices (present tense - as their general direction, not perfection!) righteousness is born (perfect tense = speaks of permanence of one who has been born again. So even this tense underscores the truth that one cannot lose their salvation!) of Him." (1 Jn 2:29+) John's point is the new birth will result in a new pattern or lifestyle of behavior of pursuing those things which are "right" in God's eyes. The corollary is that if a person says "Yes, I have been born again," and yet sees absolutely no change in their lifestyle or behavior, then it is very possible they are deceiving themselves and have never actually been born again. (see 2 Cor 13:5+). John's uses of gennao to describe spiritual rebirth (except Nicodemus who is still thinking literal birth) - 1 Jn. 2:29; 1 Jn. 3:9; 1 Jn. 4:7; 1 Jn. 5:1; 1 Jn. 5:4; 1 Jn. 5:18 John 1:13+ (Jn 1:12 = to those who believe in His name) who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (born...of God) John 3:3+ Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:4+ Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” John 3:5+ Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:6+ ( “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:7+ “Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ John 3:8+ “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 1 John 2:29+ If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him. 1 John 3:9+ No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 1 John 4:7+ Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 1 John 5:1+ Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. 1 John 5:4+ For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith. 1 John 5:18+ We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. In His own image God created man, He formed his body from the dust of earth; But more than that, to all who are in Christ He gives eternal life by second birth. —Hess Again - Again in English means once more, anew, another or second time. As discussed more below the word for again (anothen) can mean can speak of place (from above) or time (again). Nicodemus obviously interprets anothen as a reference to time as implied by his question "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?" (Jn 3:4). Once again Jesus speaks somewhat parabolically, but in this case (in contrast to the parabolic statement He made to Jews in John 2:19, 20, 21+) He explains to Nicodemus what born again means spiritually.
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Barclay says anothen, has three different meanings. (i) It can mean from the beginning, completely radically. (ii) It can mean again, in the sense of for the second time. (iii) It can mean from above, and, therefore, from God. Harris observes that "“Although Nicodemus understood it to mean ‘again,’ leading him to conclude that Jesus was speaking of a second physical birth, Jesus’ reply in Jn 3:6–8 shows that He referred to the need for a spiritual birth, a birth ‘from above.’” D A Carson on anothen - This regeneration is anothen, a word that can mean ‘from above’ or ‘again’. Because Nicodemus understood it to mean ‘again’ (cf. ‘a second time’, Jn 3:4), and Jesus did not correct him, some have argued that ‘again’ must stand. But Jesus also insists that this new birth, this new begetting, this new regeneration, must be the work of the Spirit, who comes from the realm of the ‘above’. Certainly the other occurrences of anothen in John mean ‘from above’ (Jn 3:31+; Jn 19:11, 23). As he does with other terms, John may be choosing to extend double meaning to this one in John 3:3, 7, both ‘from above’ and ‘again’; he certainly does not mean less than the former. Readers who have followed the Gospel to this point will instantly think (as Nicodemus couldn’t) of John 1:12–13+: ‘to be born again’ or ‘to be born from above’ must mean the same thing as ‘to become children of God’, to be ‘born of God’, by believing in the name of the incarnate Word. (Borrow The Gospel according to John) NET Note - The word (anothen) has a double meaning, either “again” (in which case it is synonymous with [palin]) or “from above”. This is a favorite technique of the author of the Fourth Gospel, and it is lost in almost all translations at this point. John uses the word 5 times, in Jn 3:3, 7; 3:31; 19:11, 23. In the latter 3 cases the context makes clear that it means “from above.” Here (Jn 3:3, 7) it could mean either, but the primary meaning intended by Jesus is “from above.” Nicodemus apparently understood it the other way, which explains his reply, “How can a man be born when he is old? He can’t enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born, can he?” The author uses the technique of the “misunderstood question” often to bring out a particularly important point: Jesus says something which is misunderstood by the disciples or (as here) someone else, which then gives Jesus the opportunity to explain more fully and in more detail what he really meant. O ye who would enter that glorious rest, And sing with the ransomed the song of the blest, The life everlasting if you would obtain, ‘Ye must be born again’. -- W. T. Sleeper Related Resources: What is regeneration according to the Bible? What is the meaning of spiritual rebirth? What does it mean to be a born again Christian? THE CONCEPT OF REGENERATION OR NEW BIRTH IN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS While the phrase new birth is not in the Old Testament, clearly this truth is found in many passages, some of which are noted below. As Gary Brady points out "A major way to speak about regeneration then is in terms of being born again. However, there are other pictures—being washed, receiving a new heart or spirit, having God’s law in the mind and on the heart, and having the heart circumcised. In each case, we are talking about a major radical and inward change brought about by God." Isaiah 44:3 ‘For (EXPLAINS Isa 44:2) I will pour out water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring and My blessing on your descendants;
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Barclay - Now this (NEW BIRTH) was not an idea which was in the least strange to the people who heard it in NT times. The JEW knew all about REBIRTH. When a man from another faith became a Jew and had been accepted into Judaism by prayer and sacrifice and baptism, he was regarded as being reborn. “A proselyte who embraces Judaism,” said the rabbis, “is like a new-born child.” So radical was the change that the sins he had committed before his reception were all done away with, for now he was a different person. It was even theoretically argued that such a man could marry his own mother or his own sister, because he was a completely new man (!!!), and all the old connections were broken and destroyed. The Jew knew the idea of rebirth. The GREEK also knew the idea of REBIRTH and knew it well. By far the most real religion of the Greeks at this time was the faith of the mystery religions. The mystery religions were all founded on the story of some suffering and dying and rising god. This story was played out as a passion play. The initiate had a long course of preparation, instruction, asceticism and fasting. The drama was then played out with gorgeous music, marvellous ritual, incense and everything to play upon the emotions. As it was played out, the worshipper’s aim was to become one with the god (NOTE INCREDIBLE COUNTERFEIT OF ONENESS BELIEVERS HAVE WITH CHRIST IN THE NEW COVENANT!) in such a way that he passed through the god’s sufferings and shared the god’s triumph and the god’s divine life. The mystery religions offered mystic union with some god. When that union was achieved the initiate was, in the language of the Mysteries, a twice-born. The Hermetic Mysteries had as part of their basic belief: “There can be no salvation without regeneration.” Apuleius, who went through initiation, said that he underwent “a voluntary death,” and that thereby he attained “his spiritual birthday,” and was “as it were reborn.” Many of the Mystery initiations took place at midnight when the day dies and is reborn. In the Phrygian, the initiate, after his initiation, was fed with milk as if he was a new-born babe. (cp 1Pe 2:2+). The ancient world knew all about REBIRTH & REGENERATION. It longed for it and searched for it everywhere. The most famous of all Mystery ceremonies was the taurobolium. The candidate was put into a pit. On the top of the pit there was a lattice-work cover. On the cover a bull was slain by having its throat cut. The blood poured down and the initiate lifted up his head and bathed himself in the blood; and when he came out of the pit he was renatus in aeternum, reborn for all eternity. When Christianity came to the world with a message of rebirth, it came with precisely that for which all the world was seeking. ( Barclay - John Commentary) Mattoon - The necessity of the new birth is vividly portrayed in the life of George Whitefield. At sixteen, he became deeply convicted of his sin. He tried everything to become acceptable to God. He wrote, "I fasted for 36 hours twice a week. I prayed formal prayers several time a day and almost starved myself to death during Lent, but only felt more miserable. Then by God's grace I met Charles Wesley, who put a book in my hand that showed me from the Scriptures that I must be 'born again' or be eternally lost." Finally, Whitefield understood that he had to trust in Jesus Christ. He believed and was both forgiven and changed. After he became a preacher, he spoke at least a thousand times on the subject, "You must be born again." Joseph Alleine's book - Alarm to the Unconverted Sampling of his choice excerpts Bob Pierce, founder and first president of World Vision speaking of salvation said: “There are too many grandchildren of Christ in the world, those whose parents were Christians but they aren’t. Nowhere in the Bible does God claim grandchildren—just children, born again by faith in Christ.” A medical missionary was leaving by ship for a foreign field. The famous Andrew Bonar of Scotland came to the pier to bid farewell to his friend, only to discover that the doctor was to be accompanied by his sister. Turning to her, he said, "My dear, I don't believe I've ever had the privilege of making your acquaintance. I'm pleased that you are going as your brother's assistant, and I'd like to remember you in my prayers. What is your first name?" "Christine," was the reply. "I like that!" said the aged servant of the Lord, "for you have Christ in your name. I trust you also have Him in your heart!" The woman looked away and was silent for a moment. Before she could think of an answer, the last call to board the ocean liner was given. Convicted by Bonar's words, she began to think about her relationship to the Lord. Although she went to church regularly, she suddenly realized that she was not truly saved and had never actually become a "new creature" in Christ. That night she knelt and asked the Savior to pardon her sins and make her His child. Much later an article appeared in the Moody Monthly relating this incident. It concluded by saying that her years of consistent living and faithful service showed the reality of Christine's decision.) (Story from Alan Carr) Barna Research Study -- Despite the efforts of evangelists, parachurch ministries and local churches, the percentage of American adults who are born again Christians is no different now than in 1982, according to a study by the Barna Research Group. The study found that 34% of all Americans can be identified as born again—that is, they have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ, and say they will go to heaven because they have confessed their sins and accepted Christ as their Savior. Among those surveyed, 62% said they had made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their lives today. However, among those who have made a commitment to Christ, only 55% believe they will go to heaven because of accepting Christ as their personal savior (the basic belief in the “born again” movement). Most of those surveyed said they would go to heaven because of living a good life, or obeying the 10 commandments, or because all people will go to heaven. Others who said they had made a commitment to Christ said they were unsure about what will happen to them after they die. The following anecdotal comment is included but is frankly difficult to rationalize with Scripture: A study conducted by The Roper Organization for High Adventure Ministries in 1990 found that the moral behavior of "born again" Christians actually worsened after their conversions. Examined were incidences of illegal drug use, driving while intoxicated and marital infidelity. (ED COMMENT: Could it be that the definition of "born again" was a watered down secularized one and not the Biblical definition of a work of grace through faith that results in a radical transformation of one's person and purpose [eg, 2Co5:17, cp Titus 1:16]?! Let the Scripture be the judge.) Boice gives an Illustration - Quite a few years ago Governor Neff, of the state of Texas, received an invitation to speak at one of the penitentiaries in that state. He spoke to the assembled prisoners, and afterward said that he would be around for a while to listen to anything any of the convicts might wish to tell him. He would take as much time as they wanted, and anything they would tell him would be kept in confidence. The convicts began to come, one at a time. One after another told him a story of how they had been unjustly sentenced, were innocent, and wished to get out. Finally one man came through who said to him, "Governor Neff, I don't want to take much of your time. I only want to say that I really did what they convicted me for. But I have been here a number of years. I believe I have paid my debt to society and that, if I were to be released, I would be able to live an upright life and show myself worthy of your mercy." This was the man whom Governor Neff pardoned. I know, of course, that there are imperfections in that illustration. For one thing, some of the men who claimed to be innocent might actually have been innocent. For another, the man who was pardoned might have been deceiving the governor and might have led a much more disreputable life after his release. Still, the point of the story stands: the first step in the rehabilitation of any man lies in his admission of guilt. To benefit from a doctor, the patient must admit that he is sick. (An Expositional Commentary – John, Volume 1: The Coming of the Light) JONATHAN EDWARDS On January 12, 1723, I made a solemn dedication of myself to God, and wrote it down; giving up myself, and all that I had to God; to be for the future, in no respect, my own; to act as one that had no right to be himself, in any respect. And solemnly vowed to take God for my whole portion and felicity; looking on nothing else, as any part of my happiness, nor acting as if it were; and his law for the constant rule of my obedience: engaging to fight against the world, the flesh and the devil, to the end of my life. MARTIN LUTHER - I greatly longed to understand Paul's Epistle to the Romans, and nothing stood in the way but that one expression, "the righteousness of God," because I took it to mean that righteousness whereby God is righteous and deals righteously in punishing the unrighteous. . . . Night and day I pondered until . . . I grasped the truth that the righteousness of God is that righteousness whereby, through grace and sheer mercy, he justifies us by faith. Thereupon I felt myself to be reborn and to have gone through open doors into paradise. The whole of Scripture took on a new meaning, and whereas before "the righteousness of God" had filled me with hate, now it became to me inexpressibly sweet in greater love. This passage of Paul became to me a gateway to heaven. You Must Be Born Again Read: John 3:1-18 Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. —John 3:3 “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again'” (Jn. 3:7). These words seem out of context. We think Jesus should have uttered them in the next chapter of John, when He met the woman beside the well (Jn 4:6-26+). She had made a mess of her life and might have welcomed a chance to start over again. That’s why we put up the sign at the rescue mission, You Must Be Born Again, because it seems to apply to people like her. But Jesus spoke those words to Nicodemus, the Hebrew equivalent of a college professor, a federal judge, and a bishop all in one. Nicodemus was everything that the shady lady by the well was not. Yet it was to this cultivated, respected religious leader that Jesus declared, “You must be born again.” Why did Jesus tell Nicodemus that? The answer is simple. Like all of us, Nicodemus was born in sin, so he needed a second birth—a spiritual birth. He needed to change the focus of his faith from religion to Jesus (3:15). Only Christ could provide forgiveness and eternal life. WHY DO WE NEED A SPIRITUAL BIRTH? We are conceived in sin (Ps. 51:5). We all commit sin (Ro 3:23). We are made righteous by putting our faith in Jesus, who died on the cross (Ro 5:12-19). We are saved by Christ's dying, not by our doing. H. A. IRONSIDE When Bishop John Taylor Smith, former Chaplain General of the British Army, was in this country at the time of the D. L. Moody Centenary meetings, it was my privilege to hear him one noon hour in Christ Church, Indianapolis. The sanctuary was crowded with eager listeners, to whom the Bishop spoke most solemnly, yet tenderly, upon the necessity of the new birth, using the text quoted above (John 3:7; "Ye must be born again"). As a telling illustration, he related the following incident: On one occasion, he told us, he was preaching in a large cathedral on this same text. In order to drive it home, he said: "My dear people, do not substitute anything for the new birth. You may be a member of a church, even the great church of which I am a member, the historic Church of England, but church membership is not new birth and 'except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.' The rector was sitting at my left. Pointing to him, I said, You might be a clergyman like my friend the rector here and not be born again, and 'except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.' On my left sat the archdeacon in his stall. Pointing directly at him, I said, You might even be an archdeacon like my friend in his stall and not be born again and 'except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.' You might even be a bishop, like myself, and not be born again and 'except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. Then he went on to tell us that a day or so later he received a letter from the archdeacon, in which he wrote: "My dear Bishop: You have found me out. I have been a clergyman for over thirty years, but I had never known anything of the joy that Christians speak of. I never could understand it. Mine has been hard, legal service. I did not know what was the matter with me, but when you pointed directly to me and said, You might even be an archdeacon and not be born again, I realized in a moment what the trouble was. I had never known anything of the new birth." He went on to say that he was wretched and miserable, had been unable to sleep all night, and begged for a conference, if the bishop could spare the time to talk with him. "Of course, I could spare the time," said Bishop Smith, "and the next day we got together over the Word of God and after some hours we were both on our knees, the archdeacon taking his place before God as a poor, lost sinner and telling the Lord Jesus he would trust Him as his Saviour. From that time on everything has been different." J C