Baptism is not the new birth, for thousands upon thousands who have been baptized have not been "born of God." Their ways and their works most plainly speak for them. No ordinance, or outward rite administered by man can bring one into God's family. "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
There may be religion apart from the new birth; but it is only outward form without inward power. There may be morality and a high ideal of what a Christian ought to be; but until spiritual life is begotten in one, he is "dead in sins." Eph. 2:11And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (Ephesians 2:1). His works are "dead works." Heb. 9:1414How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14). His righteousnesses are as "filthy rags" before God.
The way in which this new birth is effected God has left in no obscurity. It is so plain that none need miss it. Let God Himself tell us how: “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God." 1 John 5:11Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. (1 John 5:1).
When a sinner, having learned his ruined condition before God, hears the good news of a Savior provided, a Redeemer sent, a sacrifice offered, a satisfaction accepted by God on account of sin, and that there is nothing further demanded, nothing else to be waited for since God is satisfied and Christ raised and glorified as sign and seal of His finished and accepted work on our behalf, and commits himself simply and solely to Christ, relying on what He has done, that is believing—that is faith. And to that believing soul comes LIFE, spiritual life, eternal life.
Does the reader know, is he sure that he is born of God, and is, therefore, one of His children?