Introductory-the Miracle Of The New Birth

by G. PRASHER, JR. | Category: Miracle And Miraculous Gifts: | Jan 1952

The message of these pages will be appreciated and understood only by those who have experienced the divine miracle of the "new birth." This miracle has taken place in the spiritual experience of countless thousands since the Lord Jesus Christ spoke of it to a cultured leader of the Jews. Has my reader been born again? Sincere and prayerful searching through such a portion as the Gospel by John will bring helpful explanation of the key to this experience. It is found in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. He was the true Light of John 1.9. The verses immediately following show that those who received Him were born of God; they became children of God through believing in His Name. Or, to use the language of chapter 3.8, they were born again. With this new birth comes the gift of everlasting life as described in verses 15, 16 and 86. Notice carefully the distinction made by the Lord Jesus between that which is born of the flesh and that which is born of the Spirit (verse 6). The importance of this is again emphasized by Paul in 1 Corinthians 2.14:

"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:

for they are foolishness unto Him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

Until a man knows that he is a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ, he is incompetent to form an opinion about such matters as we propose to discuss regarding certain "miraculous" manifestations in the modern religious world. For, in applying the principles of God's word to such problems, we are dependent upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit indwells only those who have been born again.

To those who have been led by God's grace to the happy experience of the new birth, this message is specially directed. May our attitude be that described in 1 Peter 2.2:

"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby!"

We have been saved from the wrath of God through Christ. Yet if our lives of service are to be saved for His use, we need continually to grow through absorbing the nourishment of the sincere milk of the word of God. There are subtle pitfalls into which children of God may fall, causing them to come far short of the Lord's will for His disciples. God's primary desire for His children is their true spiritual growth. It is put as follows in Ephesians 4.18-14:

"Until we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive."

We live in perilous times, with many "lying in wait to deceive." The spiritually mature Christian will not readily be deceived by any of the many vagaries of doctrine, or the cunning craftiness which abounds. To attain such spiritual maturity there is no substitute for feeding on the Word of God, and subjecting all our own feelings or opinions to its authority. We shall apply this principle to one of the most perplexing problems confronting the modern seeker after truth.

THE TWENTIETH CENTURY-AN ERA OF THE SPECTACULAR.

One result of modern scientific discovery has been to place within the reach of a majority a standard of living and a range of entertainment far exceed what was possible for past generations. Cheap and luxurious travel opens out an ever-expanding field to the inclinations of a restless age. Entertainment which satiates the shallow mind with emotional thrills is within the grasp of all. The spectacular scale on which sport is organised captivates the ardent support of multitudes. As never before, there is a dissatisfaction with the wholesome and simple everyday pleasures, and a constant urge for a more varied and exciting way of life.

This twentieth century tendency is reflected strongly in the religious world. Enormous numbers are gravitating towards the imposing organization of the Roman Catholic Church, attracted by its seeming solidarity, its authoritative voice, and the accompanying ritual and pageantry. The shallow-mindedness of the times is well catered for by a religion which demands that responsibility for interpreting the Word of God should be delegated to the Church, and that even the question of one's sins may be conveniently dealt with in the confessional.

Among the Protestant Churches there is a growing dependence upon musical effect to draw their congregations. Even with soundly evangelical groups it is the "era of the massed choir," and the place given to the exposition of the Word of God is shrinking proportionately.

Yet another reflection of this desire for the sensational is the springing up in mushroom-like profusion of an enorm6us number of professed miracle workers. Some attract their devotees through the fascination of reaching beyond the bourne of normal human experience and exploring the mysterious realm of the "spirit world," which undeniably exists. They seek the sinister thrill of achieving contact with that forbidden territory, ignoring the warnings of God's Word. It is the lure of the spectacular which draws them on. Their profession to perform the miracle of obtaining messages from those who have departed this life proves a powerful bait to many.

Other miracle workers specialize in the healing of disease. Whether through the cold, calculated philosophy of the Christian Scientist, or the frenzied emotionalism of certain mass healing movements, it is the element of the miraculous which causes people to flock wherever healing is publicized in the name of religion.

Within more limited circles is the sensational feature of "speaking in tongues," which is often accompanied by other involuntary effects on the body, adding to the excitement of the experience; an experience frequently hailed in certain "evangelical circles" as the hall-mark of spiritual progress.

A glance at the "Church Page" of most great city newspapers in the English-speaking world bears out only too fully this decisive trend towards the sensational. It is a modern development of what Paul and his companions met in their travels through the ancient cities of the Mediterranean littoral. Samaria had been amazed at the sorcery of Simon until the gospel light dispelled the gloom (Acts 8.9); in Cyprus Paul and Barnabas had to contend with the wiles of Bar-Jesus (13. 8); the mass hysteria of pagan idolaters was illustrated in Lystra (14.11) and Ephesus (19.28) by the devotees of Jupiter and Diana; a woman with a spirit of divination harassed Paul and his co-workers in Philippi (Acts 16. 16) while those addicted to magical arts in Ephesus were so numerous that an enormous bonfire was needed to burn their libraries of valuable books (Acts 19.19). The powers of darkness had a widespread grip in that day. Yet their power is so much more deadly to-day, since they often present their subtle falsehoods beneath the guise of a "Christian" exterior.

It is upon the miraculous manifestations in twentieth century religion that we wish to direct the searchlight of God's word, for the Scriptures are our only safeguard against imposture.

"The judgements of the WRD ore true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold,

Yea, than much fine gold:

Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is Thy servant warned" (Psalm 19.10-11).

G. PRASHER, JR. | Jan 1952
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