Jesus Christ was categorical in asserting that unless one was born again, one could not see the Kingdom of God (Gospel of John, 3:3). An utterly shocked Nicodemus, who thought he was a
Water is the outward symbol of an inward washing by the Spirit so that we are reminded that we
are both body and soul upholding the truth of the intimate connection between the external and the
internal. This is the ordinary way of being born again enacted in the sacrament of baptism administered by the Church. However, neither Jesus nor the Apostles and the Church after them
never excluded other forms of being born of the Spirit. That is why the Church always advocated
3 forms of baptism; one ordinary way by water and two extra-ordinary ways by blood (catechumen martyrs) and by desire (implicit in really good people).
As for the Apostles, we have the examples of both Peter and Paul. While Peter was still
speaking at the house of Cornelius, the Holy Spirit came down on those who were listening to him
(Acts, 10: 44). Consequently peter ordered baptism for incorporation into the visible Body of Christ
of those who already received the Spirit without water. Similarly we see how Paul insisted on the faith ensuing from hearing the Gospel message whereby one receives the Spirit (Galatians, 3:2). Jesus
himself allowed the Apostles to do things from their own understanding that is evident from the fact that he did not prevent the disciples from administering the baptism of John the Baptist although that was not in his name (John, 4: 1-2).
Therefore, what should one do to be born of the Spirit in order to enter the Kingdom of God? Since the meaning of the word 'GOSPEL' is GOOD NEWS, we have to see what is good about the message to be born again or born of the Spirit. It is not only a message for afterlife, but also very much applicable and relevant for our present life. Who would not like to be happy in life? Being born of the flesh, our outlook and habits are attuned to our false sense of self plunging us into misery and unhappiness. The good news is that we need not labor under that kind of a burden, if we let the Spirit rule our life even as we are called to negotiate the vicissitudes of life. Our life will be attuned to our real self enshrined in us as images of God with infinite possibilities. In the process, our true self will emerge to make us wholesome and truly happy irrespective of what happens in our life. Let us take the plunge to be happy forever.
knowledgeable teacher in Israel, was calmed down by Jesus by explaining the manner in which
one was to be reborn (John, 3: 4-13). An additional bonus was added by Jesus in the form of entering the Kingdom of God by those who are born of water and Spirit.
What is the importance of water in being born of the Spirit that is being born again? Water is the outward symbol of an inward washing by the Spirit so that we are reminded that we
are both body and soul upholding the truth of the intimate connection between the external and the
internal. This is the ordinary way of being born again enacted in the sacrament of baptism administered by the Church. However, neither Jesus nor the Apostles and the Church after them
never excluded other forms of being born of the Spirit. That is why the Church always advocated
3 forms of baptism; one ordinary way by water and two extra-ordinary ways by blood (catechumen martyrs) and by desire (implicit in really good people).
As for the Apostles, we have the examples of both Peter and Paul. While Peter was still
speaking at the house of Cornelius, the Holy Spirit came down on those who were listening to him
(Acts, 10: 44). Consequently peter ordered baptism for incorporation into the visible Body of Christ
of those who already received the Spirit without water. Similarly we see how Paul insisted on the faith ensuing from hearing the Gospel message whereby one receives the Spirit (Galatians, 3:2). Jesus
himself allowed the Apostles to do things from their own understanding that is evident from the fact that he did not prevent the disciples from administering the baptism of John the Baptist although that was not in his name (John, 4: 1-2).
Therefore, what should one do to be born of the Spirit in order to enter the Kingdom of God? Since the meaning of the word 'GOSPEL' is GOOD NEWS, we have to see what is good about the message to be born again or born of the Spirit. It is not only a message for afterlife, but also very much applicable and relevant for our present life. Who would not like to be happy in life? Being born of the flesh, our outlook and habits are attuned to our false sense of self plunging us into misery and unhappiness. The good news is that we need not labor under that kind of a burden, if we let the Spirit rule our life even as we are called to negotiate the vicissitudes of life. Our life will be attuned to our real self enshrined in us as images of God with infinite possibilities. In the process, our true self will emerge to make us wholesome and truly happy irrespective of what happens in our life. Let us take the plunge to be happy forever.
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