Ask the Pastor: Enslaved, Crucified, and Born Again
by the Rev. Walter Snyder
Religion Columnist
     Q: Before we are saved (born again, regenerated) we are called slaves to sin. Scripture
says that we are not children of God but children of Satan. Are there Biblical references that
call us slaves to righteousness and/or slaves to God afterwards? I understand the difference in
being a slave by choice to God, but are there actual references that use the "slave"
terminology?
     A: Your question sounds almost like my answer because you so closely echo Paul's words to
the Romans (6:17--19): "But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become
obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been
set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms, because of
your natural limitations. For just as you once yielded your members to impurity and to greater and
greater iniquity, so now yield your members to righteousness for sanctification." Often, English
language Bibles take the same Greek word and sometimes translate it "slave" while otherwise
rendering it "servant." I prefer to use the most basic, powerful translation: Slaves we are---now, who
is our master? Is it God? Or is it someone or something else? Those are the only alternatives. This is
probably the strongest, although not the only, passage that speaks this way.
     Q: I know that Jesus is typically portrayed with a cloth around his waist on Calvary. But
I've heard preachers in sermons say that he was totally unclothed. Is this true? Is there Biblical
evidence or is it a historical fact that those who were crucified were stripped of all clothing?
     A: The Romans often stripped those who were being crucified. However, they would often
give leeway to local customs, and Jewish modesty would decry such a thing, especially around a holy
day. Thus, it is quite likely that they allowed at least some small covering to remain---although we'll
probably never uncover an eyewitness account to let us know for sure.
     Q: What does "Born Again Christian" mean---and if I don't use the term to describe
myself when talking with others who claim to be Christian, am I lost, as I am led to believe?
     A: What does "born again" mean? Depending upon the person to whom you are talking, just
about anything. As your letter noted, Jesus answered Nicodemus (John 3:3): "Truly, truly, I say to
you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Some try to separate "water" and
"Holy Spirit" (John 3:5). They claim that you are not born again unless and until you "accept Jesus"
or "invite Jesus into your heart" or some such. What we need to remember is who is baptizing, who
gives Holy Baptism its power and promise, and who it is who brings people to faith in Christ.
     In Titus 3:4--7, Paul puts it all together. God does the work. We believe and are saved solely
because of "the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit"---both happening in the
same event (Baptism). Note the verse: "When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior
appeared, he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own
mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us
richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in
hope of eternal life."
     To "choose God" is a human action, one of Paul's "deeds done by us in righteousness." We
were first chosen by God and can only make the righteous choice for him if we are already among
the righteous chosen by him. Thus, we participate in our being "born again" in much the same way
that we were born the first time: We are the results of someone else's actions. In human birth, it was
the actions of our parents; in divine rebirth, it was (and remains) the actions of our loving God. If you
are a baptized believer, you are not lost: You have been found by your Good Shepherd.
     To Ask the Pastor, please write Ask the Pastor, PO Box 12, Emma, MO, 65327 or send
email to askthepastor@aol.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
     Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of
the book "What Do Lutherans Believe."