What It Means to Be Born Again

Summary

In this insightful discourse, Jonathan Pedro explores the symbolism of Christ's baptism as depicted in the Gospel of St. Matthew, revealing the interconnectedness of unity and multiplicity in Christian theology. He delves into the concept of the Trinity, the new creation, and the baptism's significance in both the Old and New Testaments. Pedro further elucidates the necessity of spiritual rebirth, as discussed in John 3, emphasizing the baptismal process as a transformative journey that aligns individuals with the divine pattern of reality, urging active participation in the Kingdom of God.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Christianity reveals the pattern of reality, showing how unity and multiplicity cohere, and calls for active participation in this reality.
• 🎭 Theophany and Epiphany in the Orthodox Church are primarily associated with the baptism of Christ, symbolizing the revelation of the Trinity and the new creation.
• 📜 The Gospel of Matthew chapter 3 describes Christ's baptism, which is seen as the moment when heaven and earth are connected anew, and the Holy Spirit descends upon him like a dove.
• 🕊 The dove represents both the spirit of God hovering over the waters at creation's beginning and the dove sent out by Noah after the flood, signifying a new beginning and new creation.
• 🌳 Christ is likened to a tree or branch, embodying the fractal pattern of reality that connects heaven and earth, representing the structure of the world.
• 🔄 The concept of being 'born again' or experiencing a new birth is central to understanding the kingdom of God, as taught by Christ in John 3:3-8.
• 💧 The necessity of being 'born of water and spirit' is emphasized, reflecting the baptismal process where one is cleansed and receives a new spiritual identity.
• 👑 The kingdom of God is likened to a tree or kingdom, representing an orderly structure that unites multiplicity under a principality or king, mirroring the cosmic order.
• 🛁 The process of entering the kingdom of God involves a baptismal transformation, both internally by repentance and externally through the sacrament of baptism.
• 🙏 Participation in the church and connection to an authority that represents God's anointing is essential for embodying the kingdom of God in one's life.
• 🍲 The script uses the metaphor of preparing a meal to illustrate the process of transformation and participation in any kingdom, emphasizing the need for leveling and aligning with a new identity.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video script discussing?

The main theme of the video script is the exploration of the symbolism and theological implications of the baptism of Christ in Christianity, particularly in the Orthodox tradition.

What are the two significant events in the Old Testament that the baptism of Christ is said to reference?

The baptism of Christ references the spirit of God hovering over the waters at the beginning of Genesis, symbolizing creation, and the end of the flood when Noah sends out a dove, symbolizing a new beginning.

How is the Trinity revealed in the baptism of Christ according to the script?

The Trinity is revealed in the baptism of Christ through the voice of God the Father from Heaven, the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and Jesus, the Son, coming out of the water.

What does the tree symbolize in the context of the script?

In the script, the tree symbolizes the pattern of reality, representing the fractal pattern of unity splitting into multiplicity and the connection between Heaven and Earth.

What is the significance of the dove in the baptism of Christ?

The dove signifies the Holy Spirit and is also a reference to the new creation and the beginning of a new world, as seen when the dove brings back a branch after the flood in the story of Noah.

How does the script relate the concept of 'new birth' to the baptism of Christ?

The script relates the concept of 'new birth' to the baptism of Christ by explaining that baptism symbolizes being born again, receiving a new identity and connection from above, which is part of entering the Kingdom of God.

What is meant by 'the kingdom of God' in the context of the script?

In the script, 'the kingdom of God' refers to a new order or reality that is connected to God and requires a transformation or 'rebirth' to be a part of it.

What does the script suggest about the necessity of baptism for participation in the Kingdom of God?

The script suggests that baptism is necessary not only as an internal transformation but also as an external act of being connected to the new reality of the Kingdom of God.

How does the script interpret Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John 3?

The script interprets Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus as an explanation of the necessity of being 'born again' through baptism and the Holy Spirit to see and enter the Kingdom of God.

What role does the concept of 'chrismation' play in the Orthodox understanding of the baptism of Christ as discussed in the script?

In the script, 'chrismation' is presented as the anointing that comes from above, symbolizing the receiving of the Holy Spirit and the embodiment of the new identity within the Church.

How does the script connect the process of baptism and 'being born again' to everyday life and participation in any form of community?

The script connects the process of baptism and 'being born again' to everyday life by likening it to starting a new job or joining a team, where one must let go of old attachments and receive a new identity to fully participate.

Outlines

00:00

🛐 The Revelation of the Trinity and New Creation

This paragraph explores the theological significance of the baptism of Jesus Christ as depicted in the Gospel of Matthew. It discusses how the event symbolizes the manifestation of the Holy Trinity and the beginning of a new creation. The narrative describes Jesus emerging from the water as the Spirit descends like a dove, representing both the initial creation in Genesis and the dove sent out by Noah after the flood, signaling a new beginning. The paragraph delves into the symbolism of the tree and the branch, illustrating the connection between heaven and earth and the hierarchical structure of reality. It emphasizes the embodied nature of reality's principles and the call for active participation in the divine plan.

05:00

🌿 Christ as the New Connection Between Heaven and Earth

This section expands on the concept of Christ as the new conduit between the divine and the earthly realms. It draws parallels between the creation narrative in Genesis and the post-flood world, positioning Christ as the initiator of a new world order. The discussion centers on the idea of the kingdom, likened to a tree, representing the orderly arrangement of the world under a unifying principle or king. The paragraph also examines the notion of rebirth or 'being born again' as a prerequisite for entering the kingdom of God, referencing the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus in John 3. It highlights the necessity of both internal transformation and external participation in the church's sacraments for a complete understanding of Christian doctrine.

10:01

🛁 The Process of Transformation and Participation in the Kingdom of God

The third paragraph delves into the transformative process that individuals must undergo to partake in the Kingdom of God. It uses the metaphor of baptism as a metaphorical 'clearing of the way', where old structures are removed to pave the way for rebirth through the Holy Spirit. The paragraph underscores the importance of both internal change and external rituals, such as baptism and chrismation, in Orthodox Christianity. It also touches upon the necessity of aligning oneself with the church's authority, suggesting that personal transformation is intertwined with communal participation and the embodiment of divine authority.

15:02

🍽 Embodiment of Spiritual Principles in Daily Life

The final paragraph draws a connection between the spiritual concepts discussed and everyday life, using the analogy of preparing a meal to illustrate the process of transformation and participation. It emphasizes the need to 'level' or remove old attachments, akin to removing the inessential parts of ingredients in cooking, before aligning with a new identity from above. The paragraph reinforces the idea that Christianity is not merely about abstract understanding but also about practical engagement in the divine pattern of reality. It concludes with a blessing for theophany and an expression of gratitude for the audience's support.

Keywords

💡Christianity

Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. In the video, Christianity is presented as a framework for understanding the pattern of reality, with its doctrines and narratives providing insights into unity, multiplicity, and the coherence of complex systems. The video discusses how Christianity calls for active participation in its teachings, not just theoretical understanding.

💡Theophany

Theophany refers to the manifestation of a deity or divine presence. In the script, theophany is associated with the baptism of Christ and the revelation of the Holy Trinity, which is a central doctrine in Christianity. The video uses the concept of theophany to explore the idea of divine revelation and its significance in Christian belief and practice.

💡Baptism

Baptism is a Christian sacrament that symbolizes the washing away of sins and the beginning of a new life in Christ. The script discusses the baptism of Jesus as a pivotal moment in Christian theology, representing both a personal transformation and a cosmic event that signifies the beginning of a new creation.

💡Trinity

The Trinity is the belief in Christianity that God exists in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. The video script describes the baptism of Christ as a revelation of the Trinity, with the voice from heaven, the Spirit descending like a dove, and Jesus emerging from the water symbolizing the three divine persons.

💡New Birth

New birth, or being born again, is a concept in Christianity that signifies spiritual rebirth through faith in Jesus Christ. The video uses the metaphor of new birth to explain the necessity of spiritual transformation for those who wish to enter the kingdom of God, as discussed in the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus.

💡Old Testament

The Old Testament is the first part of the Christian Bible and the Hebrew Bible, containing the sacred scriptures of Judaism. The script references the Old Testament to draw parallels between the baptism of Christ and earlier biblical narratives, such as the creation story in Genesis and the story of Noah's flood.

💡Spirit

In the context of the video, the Spirit refers to the Holy Spirit, one of the three persons of the Christian Trinity. The Spirit is depicted as descending upon Jesus at his baptism, symbolizing divine approval and the presence of God. The concept of the Spirit is also used to discuss the idea of spiritual rebirth and transformation.

💡Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God is a central concept in Christianity, representing the reign of God on earth and the fulfillment of God's will. The video discusses the necessity of being 'born of water and spirit' to enter this kingdom, emphasizing the transformative process required to participate in the divine realm.

💡Hierarchy

Hierarchy, in the script, refers to the structured order or arrangement of elements, particularly in relation to the fractal pattern of reality represented by a tree. The video uses the concept of hierarchy to explain the interconnectedness of unity and multiplicity in the Christian worldview and the structure of the Kingdom of God.

💡Fractal Pattern

A fractal pattern is a never-ending pattern that repeats itself at different scales. In the video, the fractal pattern is used to describe the structure of reality, with the tree serving as a metaphor for the way unity splits into multiplicity and how these elements are reconnected in a hierarchical pattern, reflecting the divine order.

💡Participation

Participation, in the context of the video, refers to the active involvement and engagement in the Christian faith and its sacraments. The script emphasizes that Christianity is not just about understanding its teachings but also about embodying them through actions such as baptism and chrismation, signifying a commitment to the faith.

Highlights

Christianity reveals the pattern of reality, showing how complexity and unity cohere.

The speaker discusses theophany and the Orthodox tradition, focusing on the baptism of Christ.

The baptism of Christ in the Gospel of St. Matthew is chosen for its rich symbolism.

The moment of Christ's baptism signifies the revelation of the Trinity.

Christ's baptism is a reference to two Old Testament stories, Genesis and the end of the flood.

The Spirit of God descending like a dove symbolizes a new creation and the beginning of a new world.

Christ as the 'tree' or 'branch' represents the connection between Heaven and Earth.

The concept of a kingdom is likened to a tree, representing an orderly structure connected to a principality.

Christ's dialogue with Nicodemus in John 3 is explored to understand the necessity of being 'born again'.

The necessity of baptism and receiving the Spirit to enter the Kingdom of God is emphasized.

The process of transformation involves removing old attachments and receiving a new identity.

Participation in the Church and baptism is required to embody the teachings of Christ.

Christianity is not just theoretical; it calls for practical participation through baptism and chrismation.

The sacraments of baptism and chrismation represent the removal of the old and the receiving of the new.

The concept of 'being born of water and spirit' is explained in the context of baptism and spiritual rebirth.

The speaker connects the process of spiritual transformation to everyday life, such as starting a new job.

The talk concludes with a wish for a blessed theophany and appreciation for the audience's support.

Transcripts

Christianity is revealing to you the

pattern of reality of how it is that

complexity Works how it is that any type

of unity and multiplicity cohere but

that also means that you you know it is

calling you to actually participate in

that in a real

[Music]

way this is Jonathan Pedro welcome to

the symbolic

[Applause]

World hello everyone as we are coming

closer to theophany and in the western

tradition Epiphany which in the Orthodox

Church is mostly surrounding the baptism

of Christ I thought we could look at one

verse in the Bible which talks about the

baptism of Christ CHR I chosen a virgin

in the gospel of St Matthew could have

chosen another virgin in another gospel

uh to see just how much it packs in

terms of understanding so many things

related to Christianity whether it is

this idea of the new birth or being born

again the idea of the new creation you

know what it is that Christ represent in

the uh in the story all the meaning of

theophany and the baptism of Christ is

of course contain in the icon of the

baptism of Christ but what I thought is

we'll look at the text first and then

maybe we'll come back to the icon a

little bit later to see what it is that

the icon contains in terms of this

mystery now we'll go into the gospel of

Matthew chapter 3 where it says that as

soon as Jesus was baptized he went up

out of the water at that moment heaven

was opened and he saw the Spirit spirit

of God descending like a dove and a

lighting on him and a voice from Heaven

said this is my son whom I love with him

I am well pleased now of course this is

seen in the Orthodox tradition and in

Christianity in general as the

revelation of the Trinity which is that

we hear the the voice of God the father

of God above who says this is my son and

then we see the spirit descending like a

dove on on Christ that comes out of the

water and so it's seen as a revelation

of the Trinity but there's also

something else really going on here

which is that when Christ comes out of

the water and the spirit of God comes

down on him like a dove what we're

seeing is a reference to two stories in

the Old Testament at the same time first

is the very beginning of Genesis where

it says that the spirit of God hovered

above the waters so at the beginning of

Genesis you have this before creation

even starts you have this image of of

these chaotic Waters underneath and of

the spirit of God above the waters right

it's a it's a basic Cosmic image of

Heaven above right because there's no

difference between Heaven uh spirit and

air all of these things are related so

when it says spirit in the old in the

Old Testament or in the New Testament

for that matter it is the same as wind

or you know what's above this this

invisible thing that moves above that

you can't see moving but you see its

effects and so this is what is above and

then below are the waters so it's

referring to that but then it's also

referring to the end of the flood of

course because at the end of the flood

Noah sends out a dove and then that Dove

finds a branch by which it is able to

know that the flood has Abad and that

the new world has begun and so what is

all going on here so of course what

we're seeing is a new beginning we're

seeing a new creation in this particular

instance Christ appears as the tree the

branch that the branch that the bird

comes and finds and when we hear the

word branch and when we hear the word

tree we always have to remember that a

tree is the is the pattern of reality

itself that it is the fractal pattern of

reality of unity splitting into

multiplicity and that mult that new

multip unity and now splitting again

into multiplicities right the the

structure of a tree which is which is

that exactly one and many joining

together in a in a in a pattern of

hierarchy that is how reality lays

itself out that is the structure of the

world that is what connects Heaven and

Earth together is this embodied

structure that manifests itself right

and so you could say that the tree is

the connection between Heaven and Earth

it is the invisible principles of

reality manifesting themselves in an

embodied form so that you can see the

pattern of the heavens the pattern of

reality in on the earth connected to the

Earth so it's like a a bridge between

the two between the whole completely

invisible patterns and the you know the

chaotic primordial Earth and so in this

context now Christ appears as this new

connection between Heaven and Earth as a

connection between Heaven and Earth and

so what like I said was joined together

is the first chapter of Genesis that is

the actual creation of the word of the

world and now the the second world which

is after the the death of the first

world the flood and the beginning of a

new world so Christ is manifesting the

beginning of a new world and then when

we hear that the voice of God above

saying this is my son that is this is

the one that I have engendered this is

the one that I recognize as my own

the one that manif that is manifesting

my identity now into the world that is

of course the idea of what the Son of

God is uh we have a relationship again

between this idea of the Son of God and

the branch that the bird finds in the

world that manifests the the pattern of

a new order which is being born in

reality um you know of course this is

related of course in the Old Testament

it's related somewhat of course to the

voice of God as well that pulls reality

pulls the world pulls creation out of

the waters that separates the waters

that pulls the Earth out of the waters

all of these things are being referred

to of course it's amazing because it's

using images so it can be very simple

with just this one verse and bring out

of of our knowledge all of these other

images that appear in in the Old

Testament okay now so what we're seeing

importantly is to mostly to understand

that what we're seeing is a new

beginning a new Heaven a new connection

between Heaven and Earth or revealing

the connection between Heaven and Earth

and this can be represented in many ways

it could be represented as for example a

new creation a new Kingdom right the

kingdom a new kingdom is also very

important to understand how it connects

which is that a kingdom is similar to a

tree that is a kingdom is the way way

the world lays itself out or in an

orderly way connected to a principality

connected to a King which unites all

this multiplicity together so a tree a

kingdom uh you know and then of course

it can be represented as a new birth as

a new beginning and so once you start to

see these images come together there are

a lot of things in the Bible that will

start to make sense be even though it

sometimes they seem obscure at the

outset and so as we you know what I I

wanted to do is to look at another text

in scripture one which is very popular

especially in kind of American

Christianity and see how we can make

sense of it based

on these images that Christ himself

brings up and this is of course John

3 so we're not going to read all of John

3 but I want to read a part of John 3

starting with verse three where Christ

encounters

Nicodemus so it says now now there was a

Pharisee a man named Nicodemus who was a

member of the Jewish ruling Council he

came to Jesus at night and said Rabbi we

know that you are a teacher who has come

from God no one could perform the signs

you are doing if God were not with him

Jesus replied very truly I tell you no

one can see the kingdom of God unless

they are born again it's like already

it's like if you just look at what is

being said here it is very obscure

despite the fact that some people will

tell us that this is as clear as Crystal

this is very simple right you you can't

see the kingdom unless you're born again

this is this is simple and obvious

um of course Nicodemus asks him how can

someone be born when they are old surely

they cannot enter a second time into

their mother's womb to be

born so Jesus answers very truly I tell

you no one can enter the kingdom of God

unless they are born of water and spirit

flesh gives birth to flesh but spirit

gives birth to

Spirit so he continues and said you

should not be surprised at my saying You

must be born again the wind blows

wherever it pleases you hear its sound

but you cannot tell where it comes from

or where it is going so it is with

everyone born of the spirit and of

course Nicodemus asked how can this be

and so Christ CHR continues and

reproaches him you know and says how

don't you know these things you are a

teacher of Israel how is it that you

don't know these things

so what is it that Christ is talking

about

here of course Christ is referring if

you've read the gospel and you've read

even the gospel of St John if you read

the other gospels you know that he's

referring to the baptism he's referring

to his baptism he's referring to what it

is that happened to him at baptism but

then in the in the same way he's not

just referring to that he's referring to

what it is that baptism means to what it

is that uh the baptism is manifesting in

the world because he says you have to be

born of water and spirit you know that

is what happens in the story of Christ

baptism he descends into the water and

when he comes out of the water then the

spirit comes down upon him and so the

first thing in the image of baptism that

has to happen is what what what happens

at First St John what St John is doing

St John is clearing the way right St

John is the one that baptizes he's

clearing the way he's making a level

he's removing the old structures he's

removing the old things and he's T and

he's making the World level he's making

things straight Paving the the way for

the Lord to come and so that is the

first part of the process you have to

remove the old things and then you have

to be born again

of the spirit you have to be born again

from Heaven that is you have to re re

receive a new identity which comes from

above a new connection which comes from

above and so that is exactly what Christ

is saying that needs to happen now this

has to happen at every level right it's

something that happens at every level of

reality but has to happen if you want to

see the Kingdom of Heaven if you want to

be in the Kingdom of Heaven if you want

to participate in the Kingdom of Heaven

Heaven you have to remove the Old

Kingdom and then you have to be

connected to the New Kingdom which is

the the kingdom of God and so what's

interesting about what happens of course

the way that Christ reveals it is that

it it is happening at every level it has

to happen at every level of reality and

so it of course has to happen internally

and this is usually the way that a lot

of you know uh kind of modern

evangelicals will deal with it they say

this thing has to happen internally that

is that you have to remove the the sins

right you have to confess the sins you

have to kind of remove the old man and

then you have to attach yourself to this

to the the the spirit you have to attach

yourself to that which is above and then

you can live in the kingdom and then the

kingdom will be manifested within you

now that is of course true but it it

also has to happen you know in terms of

your actual participation in the church

and so you have to actually be baptized

that's why Christ is actually baptized

even though Christ didn't need it Christ

is actually baptized to say for this to

happen it's not just about a kind of

mental game or a mental thing or or just

a conviction you have to you also have

to embody it in the world by being

baptized and by receiving the spirit

from above now in Christianity this has

become two sacraments which is the

baptism and chrismation or baptism and

Confirmation that is there's a baptism

from below and then there is this

receiving of the the the anointing right

from above the receiving of that which

comes from above this and this of course

in Orthodoxy is seen as what we call

chrismation which is an anointing on the

person's body which is this image of

Light which comes down which influence

which comes down from above and this has

to to be uh let's say connected with an

actual participation in the body of

Christ in the body of the church and an

actual connection to an authority which

is the fractal representation of this

whole thing that is you can't just be on

your own you also have to have someone

who is manifesting this authority of God

down upon you that that you participate

in and so you can

see that the the simple little verse of

Christ is representing not only the way

that we are transformed and enter into

the kingdom of God not only the way that

we do it internally externally by

actually being baptized and by receiving

the the spirit but then it is really

just once again an image of everything

an image of reality and so you know if

you want and if you want to to make a

meal that you also have to do that that

is that you have to level the

ingredients so that they become a kind

of potential for the the recipe and so

you have to remove the peel you have to

take away the stems you have to take the

bone out or remove the skin or whatever

it is that you're doing to the

ingredients and then you have to align

it attach it to an identity which comes

down from above that is whatever it is

the recipe that you're doing will then

create the kingdom of that recipe within

you know that you're going to make but

that's true of anything it is just an

image of the revelation of how reality

works that is if you want to participate

in any Kingdom in any form of of of

participation whether it's a family a

team anything then this is the process

there has to be a baptism which is that

you have to remove your attachments to

the things that came before you have to

level the remainders of those of you

have to you know clean out the

remainders of your previous attachments

that's a same thing that happens like if

you start a new job right you have to

cut your attachments to your old job you

have to you know take your things out of

that office you know take the take all

the stuff out so that you're not you're

not connected to that ancient identity

anymore and then you have to come out of

that transformation process come out of

the waters and receive the new identity

that you're going to participate in um

so hopefully this is helpful to

understand that like I've say over and

over uh Christianity is revealing to you

the pattern of reality of how it is that

complexity Works how it is that any type

of unity and multiplicity cohere but

that also means that you you know it is

calling you to actually participate in

that in a real way which is it's not

just showing you the pattern of reality

abstractly but calling you to be

baptized to be chrismated and to enter

into the kingdom in a very explicit

practical way as well and so so I wish

you all a blessed theophany I hope that

uh that you that this was helpful to you

and uh thanks for your support everyone

I really appreciate it in these strange

times and I will talk to you very soon

bye-bye