CrowCross
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You need to understand that in the context of the passage baptism even mentioned. Did you know that? If I'm wrong, show me.You must be born again by water and the spirit!
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)
(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. 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!
Simply reading these verses in context would give one no reason to assume Jesus was speaking of baptism, unless one was looking to read into the passage a preconceived idea or theology. To automatically read baptism into this verse simply because it mentions “water” is unwarranted.
If Jesus meant water baptism why didn't Jesus say...unless one is baptized and born of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God?
If baptism is a requiremnt then why did the thief on the cross not need to be baptized to be saved?
So.......If “being born of water and the Spirit” is not referring to baptism, then what does it mean?
As mentioned abov e and you stayed clear of it the water could mean the amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby in the womb.
Water in this case referse to cleansing...You should know that water is often used symbolically in the Bible to refer to the work of the Holy Spirit in sanctifying a believer, whereby God cleanses and purifies the believer’s heart or soul. In many places in both the Old and New Testaments, the work of the Holy Spirit is compared to water.
If you would like to learn more about this you can click here....or simply disregard my post and keep on insisting water in this instance means water baptism.