The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-02-26
INTEREST STILL INCREASING.

The evangelistic work at the Central
Church of Christ still goes on. The sub
ject chosen by Pastor Sims for last evening
| was degeneration" No subject more
profound or important could nave been
| selected from the Holy volume. 1t is true
that the term Regeneration occurs in
the New Testament but twice: first, in
Matthew 10 IS: ''Ye which have followed
me in the regeneration when the Son of
Man shall sit on the throne of His glory,
We also shall sit upon twelve thrones. judg-
| ing the twelve tribes o. Israel" Men,
| who. from the thrones of the kingdoms
and empires OF this world exercise juGg-
ment, are honored, as they are exalted;
| but those who followed Christ in the re-
| generation are exalted infinitely higher.
! The second occurrence of the term ''re-
generation" is found in Titus 3: 5, Not by
work of righteousness which we have done
| but according to his mercy he saved US,
| by the washing of regeneration, and re-
newing OF the Holy Ghost" Intelligent
inquiry regarding the meaning of the term
| regeneration may be greatly assisted by
| tracing its subordinate historical uses,
e. G. the Pythagoreans employed the word
to express the transmigration OF souls.
! Their temperance in new bodies being
called regeneration. The Stoics used this
term to represent the renovation of the
earth when in the spring time it
awakens from its winter sleep and
death. 1t was to them a new life
Cicero calls his return from exile, and
restoration TO his dignities and honors re-
generation. Man is exiled from God.
Your sins have separated between you
and your God" says His holy word, and
regeneration is inseperable from restora-
ton. Josephus calls the restoration of
the Jewish nation after the captivity of
regeneration. In that captivity they h01
become the servants and the slaves of their
captors. OF the spiritual regeneration it
is said God be thanked that though ye
were servants of sin yet ye have obeyed
from the heart that form of doctrine
which was delivered you. Being then
made free from sin ye became the SER
wants of righteousness"
While it is conceded that none of these
historical uses OF this term have the full
measure and significance of the Scripture
term, yet there is an element of truth in
them which is inseperabie from the teach
ing of the word of God. Man, dead in
trespasses and SINS" ''must die to sin,
hence Paul says, Rom. 6 "a. 'How shall
we that are dead to sin, live any longer
therein? Know We not that so many of rs
as were baptized into Christ were baptized
into his death. Therefore, we are buried
with him by baptism into death, that, like
as Christ was raised up from the dead
by the glory of the Father, even
SO we also should walk in
newness of life" This subject is one that
must be settled in all respects by and
according to the word of God, for it is
written, My word shyll judge you at the
last day." IF any man will speak let
him speak, let him speak as the oracles of
God" The great reason of confusion on
this subject, as in reference to many
others, is that visions and dreams, and
often the doctrines nd commandments of
men," are substituted for the word of God
What we plead for and most earnestly
contend for is that Gods word in precept
and example shall be absolute, notwith |
standing all dreams and prodigies
Regeneration is accomplished by means |
OF the gospel, for the gospel is 'the power |
of God unto Salvation" The law of the |
spirit of life both made US free from the !
law of sin and death" The law of the |
spirit of life is the gospel. This is "a new
and living way" The old law and the old |
are closed. The new and liv-
ing way is the way of the cross. This is |
''the perfect law of liberty" In it are
given to us, all things that pertain to life |
and godliness. We then do not need nor
want any of the doctrines of men.
The sermon last evening was listened to
with undivided interest and the solemnity
extraordinary. The audience was much
the largest since the meeting began. The
subject for this evening is Christ Medi-
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