Here we observe that the Apostle says

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III




The Apostle's words about the Church: "...that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word" (Eph.5: 26) means that cleansing is completed by baptism (the washing of water) through the word, that is, through preaching and the ministry of the word which result in faith and then in baptism.

Here we observe that the Apostle says: "with the washing of water by the word" and not "with the washing of water which is the word",


. If the washing of water means the word there would have been no need for this repetition. But "the washing of water by the word" means the washing of water which takes place following the effect of the word. Without the word and its effect the people could not have come to the washing of water, that is, to baptism.

We observe that the word ‘belief’ is not mentioned in the phrases "having been born again... through the word of God" (1 Pet.1: 23) and "brought us forth by the word of truth" (Jas.1: 18). Is the word without belief sufficient for the new birth? This is impossible. The word ‘belief’ is not mentioned because it is obviously implied.

There is no need to repeat on every occasion words whose meanings are obviously implied. We cannot on every occasion repeat the words: word -belief- baptism rebirth.