The National tribune., 1894-08-30

1
at Cana. 2:1-11. BY o sort of miracle
power he cleared the Temple of cattle deal
ers and brokers' using mere whip of small
cords 2:14. He had laid claims to
powers thought utterly extravagant and
| superhuman, in that, as the people under
stood him, he declared he could rebuild
in three days the Temple, which had re-
quired for its restoration many men for 46
years. Had they fully comprehended his real
meaning, to wit, that if they killed him, he
would be alive again within ~ hours, they
would have held him to be utterly wild.
2:19-22 But verse %, chapter 2, speaks
of 6 the miracles which he did" He must
have effected many such of which no ac-
count has come down to us. 21:25.
By reference 10 10 80 we find the part
Nicodemus took in the burial of Christ.
The traditional reports as to the disposi-
ton of the buried body of Nicodemus are
not TO be trusted.
We do not read that Nicodemus ever be-
came pronounced follower of Jesus.
S. Verses 2 and 3.
These report the first question and answer
of the dialog between Christ and Ncodemus.
The subject is the new birth, which has been
defined: IAN experience within the soul by
which God is seen in Christ as a present
!
ence will and affections"
1t must be, Nicodemus expresses by " we"
rather his personal opinion, for there was
not consensus that Jesus was Teacher
sent from God. CT. ST. Mt, II: %, %; st.
John, o. 1854; II: At.
The force of miracles as % means of evil
denee is put very strongly by Nicodemus.
CT Acts, 4:16, II. A person sent to
newspaper, asking what Christ meant in his
reply of V. 3, and the editor replied: If
this passage stood alone we might infer that
baptism is essential to salvation. We must
compare Scripture with Scripture, and the
result of that comparison will be TO show
that being born of water (baptism) is SYM
Dol of being born of the Spirit. But the fact
that the two are so closely associated ought
to deter any believer from making light of
baptism or esteeming it thing of small i'm
portance."
We notice that often when Christ is about
to announce a fact of unusual impressive
ness he precedes it By verify, repeated some
times twice.
6. Verses TO 8.
These contain the second question and
answer of the dialog. We seem to see in
the question some irony. What Christ said
". 81 ought not to have been very singular
to Ncodemus. The Old Testament had
gone to goodly degree in representing the
higher life. CT. Is., 1: 10, 10; Jer., 81 :33;
Eze., 10, 20; 36: 26. We can get idea of
V. by question and answer of the Epis-
copal catechsm.
Question. What is the outward visible
sign, or form in baptism
Answer. Water; wherein the person Is
baptized, In the Name of the Father and of
the San, and of the Holy Ghost.
Question. What is the inward and spir-
itual grace?
Answer. A death unto sin, and new
birth unto righteousness; for being by ma
ture born in sin, and the children of wrath,
we are hereby made the children of grace"
We know now much more of meteorology,
and yet what Lange says is true as to the
wind: Even if the general conditions of its
origin be known, as they were only in part
to the ancients, yet the particular actual
conditions, and the precise origin of given
current, are not known. No more the end
Of the current, its particular actual effects.
SO with the Spirit, both as to its origin and
its effects, in the matter of regeneration"
z. Verses 9-21.
Third question and answer. Men may be
learned, rich, scholarly, in prominence. and
Gospel.
As to verses ID, Is, see NJ, 81 40. The
serpent in Bible symbolism stands for the
Evil One. Sin is poison. Sin can never
cure sin, but siulessness may obliterate evil.
Hence the incarnation.
Verse Is is full of interest A little paper
has been started with the title, John, 3: 16,"
at Vinita, /. T., in the interest of Indians.
The history Of this one verse is thrilling.
L. g., Tahitian warrior hearing it read in
his language said: That cannot mean Us,
though it might mean you." Mr.. Mott re-
sponded, calling attention to the word
" whatsoever" which includes everybody.
"Well,r said the chief if that is SO, your
God shall be my God, for we never heard of
any such love as that in our religion" He
was the first person converted in Polynesia.
There are there now 10000 Christians.
8. Suggestions.
l. Seek the new birth.
g Be truthful. Understand things thor
oughy, so as to be authoritative in your
statements. VS.. 1l-21.
g. Testify for Christ and in favor of his
religion. V. IL.
4. Accept good evidence. Y. IL.
5. illustrate truth. Through nature lead
persons up to grace. VS.. 8-l4.
g. Teachers in special should understand
what they claim to teach; should expert
ence what they recommend; should do what
they require of others. V. IL.
T. Do your part. Though the Holy Spirit
regenerates, He does not do so arbitrarily.
Turn. Pro-, 1:23. Ask. Lu., 11:13. Be
lieve John, 3 rs, Is. Do what belongs to
rs to effect and leave results with God. Deu.,
%: 90. Be baptized. Partake of the Holy
Supper.