That’s the problem with “faith alone” negates the word and renders baptism meaningless
The problem is not with Eph 2:8-9; i.e., faith alone, the problem is with your unbelief of it.
Nor is baptism any more meaningless than circumcision was meaningless.
Context of Jn 3:5 “born again”
John1:26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; (John prepared the way by baptism)
John 2:6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. (Old covenant prefiguring of baptism, purification from sin)(His disciples believed because the ever Virgin mother of God interceded Jn 2:11)
John3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (Baptism)
Jn 2:6 (Cana) occurred a week after Jn 1:26 (JTB).
Jn 3:5 occurred more than a week after Jn 2:26 (Cana), with the clearing of the Temple in between.
Jn 1:26, 2:6 are
not the context of Jn 3:5.
The
context of Jn 3:5 would be Jesus' clearing of the Tempe in Jn 2:12-24.
(Key verse! Actions speak louder than words: verse 22)
John 3:22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
That occurs
after Jesus teaching Nicodemus about regeneration.
And according to Jn 4:2, it was
not Jesus who baptized at the Jordan, but his
disciples who baptized at his instruction to do so.
23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.(Baptism / water)
John 4:1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John.
Born again means Baptismal regeneration!
According to Jesus, "born again" is a sovereign act of the Holy Spirit, as unaccountable as the wind (Jn 3:7-8), not governed by anything or anyone's choice.
In Jn 3:3-8, Jesus is not describing the
choice of water baptism.
baptismal regeneration!
A new creation in Christ! 2 cor 5:17
Jn 1 JTB prepared the way by baptism!
Jn 2 the waters of purification are OT prefigurement of baptism! (See Mk 7:1-4)
The waters of purification (Mk 7:1-4) was a tradition of the elders, not a part of Mosaic law, and which tradition Jesus strongly
rejected as the "tradition of men" (rules taught by men), Mk 7:7.
Likewise, the water of the "tradition of men," which Jesus strongly rejected (Mk 7:7), was
not a prefigurement of baptism.
Jn 3:5 born again means baptism
Jn 3:22 they immediately went to the river! Not to preach “accept Christ as personal lord and savior”
But to BAPTIZE!!!
Born again does not mean baptism, it is a sovereign act of the Holy Spirit, as unaccountable as the wind (Jn 3:7-8), and not governed by any ordinance or choice of man.
And after this Jesus went with his disciples to the Jordan (Jn 3:27) where he spent some time with his disciples who were baptizing (Jn 4:2).
Jesus did not go to the river to baptize anyone.
