10002. 'And wash them with water' means purification by means of the truths of faith. This is clear from the meaning of 'washing with water' as purification by means of the truths of faith, dealt with in 3147, 5954 (end), 9088. All purification and regeneration is accomplished by means of the truths of faith, see 2799 (middle), 7044, 8635-8640, 8772; and 'water' means the truths of faith, 739, 2702, 3058, 3424, 4976, 7307, 8568.

8635. EXODUS CHAPTER 18.

TEACHINGS ABOUT CHARITY

No one can be regenerated unless he knows the things that compose the new life, that is, spiritual life; for it is that life to which regeneration leads a person. The things that compose the new or spiritual life are the truths he ought to believe and the good deeds he ought to perform. Those truths are matters of faith, the good deeds are aspects of charity.