Key of Knowledge

SR No.: 006702
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown
Publication Year: 1919
Total Pages: 1204
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 25 MB

Page 378

THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
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was nonplussed by it. John the Baptist had declared: "I baptize you with water unto repentance, but he who is coming after me shall baptize you with fire." When Jesus referred to the subject, saying, “Except a man be born again he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God,” Nicodemus felt puzzled at this new birth and enquired, how could a man be re-born when old ? Was he to enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born again? The reply to this was: “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” The idea conveyed is that of a birth from darkness into light i.e., of a spiritual birth, without which redemption from sin is not possible. The idea of a second birth is well-known among the Hindus and Jainas. The three higher castes, namely, Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas are called 'twiceborn,' or regenerate. The investiture of the sacred thread is the ceremony which is the outward symbol of the second birth. By birth all men are considered like unto Sudras, but the second birth is the re-generation in spirit. It is said by one of the ancient Hindu sages : .“ Brahmanas by birth are, however, regarded by the wise to be equal to Sudras until they are born in the Veda (i.e., learn the sacred literature), but after that, (that is, the second birth) they are deemed Twice-born.” It is the knowledge of one's own divinity which burns up sin, and purifies and prepares the soul to manifest God-life; hence, no one who has not been purified by