In 1856, page 70, Mr. Campbell says of the means of regeneration:

      Into Christ's kingdom, we cheerfully depose, that no man can enter who is not born again--"born of water and of the Holy Spirit." It is not born of water, even of the Holy Spirit; but of both. No man nor animal was ever born from one parent alone. And, in all the proprieties of analogy, everything born has had two parents. Our Lord's metaphors, parables and allegories were natural, and in no case outrage the proprieties of nature or of society. But the same figure may be used and accommodated in both numerous and also various positions and relations. Hence we have the washing of the new birth, as well as the new birth. But we must not confound the imagery of Paul with that of the Lord Jesus himself, and subject them to one and the same import. Jesus has in his eye, or premises, the fact then recognized, that water and air were the parents of all vegetable, and, consequently, of all animal life. In ancient Eastern Philosophy--"The earth was nature's womb, and air and water the parents of all animal and of all vegetable life." But on such premises we build nothing--analogies are not facts. The great Teacher loved imagery; and, therefore, often spake in parables. We, therefore, interpret parables analogically, but do not transubstantiate them into literal facts. Still, water is not spirit, nor spirit water. And what the Lord has joined together, let no man separate.

[A. C.]      

Source:

Alexander Campbell. Extract from "Response" to "Means of Regeneration--No. II." The Millennial Harbinger Extra 27 (February 1856): 70.

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