Spiritual Birth, Then
Spiritual Instruction
By Elder C. M. Mills
The dead alien sinner must first be given spiritual life before he can have spiritual discernment, which enables them to distinguish between the things of the world and the things of God. Where men have gone and brought the alien sinner into their assembly, they have had to bring in the things of the world to entertain them and hence they have been absorbed by the institutions of men and lost their identity and spiritual freedom.
That is why the Apostle Paul gave this warning to the church at Colosse: “Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances (touch not; taste not; handle not; which all are to perish with the using), after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh” (Col. 2:20-23).
The gospel was not designed to change the hearts of men. The gospel tells that the work is done by the Lord alone. The true church is aware of this fact and is showing her faith by her works. “The preparation of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord” (Prov. 16:1).
All natural teaching must be after natural birth; likewise, all spiritual teaching, which comes by the gospel, must be after spiritual birth. That is why the True Church has never sent men out to do the impossible. [Elder C. M. Mills, from “What Purpose Does God Have for the Church Here on the Earth?” Identity of the True Baptist Church, 1971] Submitted by Elder Mark Green.