but the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you” (1 Peter 1:23–25). There it is. James says we are begotten of the Word; Peter says we are born again by the Word of God which liveth and abideth forever. And so, believing the Word, we receive the living Word. It is the Word that the Spirit of God used in order to produce the new life. When we are born again, we are cleansed from our old sins, so the thought of washing is also connected with