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FAQ # 47

QUESTION  47 :  If regeneration (born of water and spirit) is the agent used to cleanse us and make us save, how comes Jesus said to the disciples, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you” (John 15:3); And he earlier said to Peter “ye are clean” (John 13:10)? Am I not also clean by receiving Jesus Christ as Peter and the disciples did?

Many often use Eph 5:26 from the above f.a.q with the verses in your question to back up the notion that you presented. Of course, by the previous f.a.q you will know that it is no longer possible.

Nevertheless, Christ did say to the disciples, “ye are clean.” In no way was it implying that they were born again already, neither could they be, because the born-again plan wasn’t complete (1 Cor 15:17).

They were still under the era of the Old Covenant and under the Old Covenant one can be clean. This verse will illustrate this, “For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD” ( Lev 16:30). In other words, this Judaic Law could cleanse a Jew, though they had to do it year round. Jesus is the God to which the Priest would offer the atonement so that a person is to be cleansed. So if he be in the earth, can he not declare a person cleansed, as even the Scribe and Pharisees had trouble with it (Mr 2:7). When Jesus spoke directly to you, seeing he is the word (John 1:1) and spirit (Ex 36:27), then you become clean through the word that he speaks unto you. Remember, he is sovereign and he can declare someone clean. Notice he said to someone, “thy sins be forgiven thee” (Mark 2:5); however, he’s not in the world today, physically as Christ, so the mechanism and power he gave to us was water baptism, whereby we can declare someone sins forgiven (Acts 2:38, Lk 24:47). When he was taken out of the world, he implemented a new way (John 3:5) by his death, burial and resurrection; to which we can be cleansed eternally (Heb 10:14-18) once. That is, by becoming born again.

Moreover, Jesus and his disciples did baptize while he was alive, see John 4:1-2. And if his disciples baptized, they had to be baptized themselves. And if Jesus was with them during their baptism, he must have taught them how it is done for the remission of sins – in his name. Hence, through this Act, awaiting the spirit baptism, he could “call” them cleansed.

Part 2

Also, note that the twelve disciples who worked miracles (Matt. 10:8) with Jesus were not yet saved.

“What do you mean they weren’t saved,” you might ask?.

Jesus said unto Peter, “when thou are converted strengthen the brethren” (Luke 22:32). In other words, Peter when you are saved preach and teach the word of life. How is it Peter needed to be converted if he was already cleansed (John 13:10, 15:3)? Because he wasn’t, practically, but was assured it and thus could speak it, theoretically. The plan of salvation was not in effect until the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For instance, one’s earthly parents have to die before the inheritance can be claimed.

Look at this closely, Jesus Christ is the testator of the New Testament or new will. For a will or testament to take effect the testator must die. The book of Hebrew 9:16-17 states this, “For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.” 

In other words, one could not claim salvation if Christ had not died, worse off, if he had not risen (1 Cor 15:17).

It was impossible for anyone to be born again before Christ ascension, for the born again plan was not yet completed. Jesus had not died, been buried, and raised again. So Peter and the disciples could not have been cleansed by the born again experience at this time. God has always had a plan of salvation for each dispensation of time.

In Noah’s day, the only way out was to get into the ark. Since Moses’ day, the only plan was the law, by faith. Today the only way to be saved is to be born again, that is, regenerated. Try using the law today for salvation or simply think you’re clean by association with Christ (‘receive him’) and you’ll only end up with the un-regenerated.

Answer Notes: 1. He could have also “cleansed” them for working with him in ministry at the time. 

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