[Biblemat] New birth (question/answer)

[Don Martin]

Don Martin sharing question/answer number 2, 800 since 7/12/06:


Hello Marty,

Thank you so much for your question and for making use of Bible Questions.
Please do so again. http://www.biblequestions.org  Please check out Bible
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there.

You asked:

What does Jesus mean when he talks about being born of water and the spirit?
John 3:5

Reply:

Jesus' teaching presented to Nicodemus is well know, but, alas, not often
accepted.  I shall insert the passage below and then offer some comments:

"1: There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that
thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou
doest, except God be with him. 3: Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the
kingdom of God. 4: Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he
is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 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. 6: That
which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is
spirit. 7: Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8: The
wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst
not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is
born of the Spirit. 9: Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these
things be?" (John 3.)

Jesus presents the new birth as absolutely necessary (vs. 7).  Jesus
attempted to explain to Nicodemus that the essential birth about which he
spoke was spiritual as opposed to physical (vs. 6-9).  This birth is of
"water and the Spirit" (vs. 5).  The Holy Spirit is instrumental and active
in the spiritual birth by providing the means (the word) and motivation for
the experience (cp. Rom. 6: 2ff.).  The reference to "water" is obviously
the water in water baptism.  I say this because of the teaching resident in
the New Testament pertaining to water and the new birth (cp. Acts 2: 38, 22:
16, I Pet. 3: 21).  Paul explained that it is in water baptism that the old
man is crucified and one is raised to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:
3ff.).  Most scholars and commentators, regardless of denominational
affiliation, agree that the "water" is baptism.  Albert Barnes,
Presbyterian, wrote:

"Verse 5. Be born of water. By water, here, is evidently signified baptism.
Thus the word is used in Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5...."

I suggest you read, "Baptism, How, Who, Why, and When" found in
www.bibletruths.net   When on the home page, enter through the door and
click on "Archives and Index" in the directory on the Site Map page.  When
on the Archives page, click on the letter "B."  Here is an excerpt from the
article:

     "...Why should one be baptized? Water baptism has multiple
accomplishments. One should be baptized in order to obtain the remission of
sin (Acts 2: 38, 22: 16). All spiritual blessings and redemption are in
Christ (Eph. 1: 3, 7). However, baptism is the act that gains entrance into
Christ or places one in Jesus (Gal. 3: 26, 27, I Cor. 12: 13). One should be
baptized to be saved (Mk. 16: 16, I Pet. 3: 21), to put on Christ (Gal. 3:
26, 27), and to be born again (Jn. 3: 5). Baptism is a command of God and is
essential to obedience (Acts 10: 47, 48, obedience is necessary to being
saved, Heb. 5: 8, 9).

     Concerned reader, water baptism stands between the lost and a spiritual
washing in the blood of Jesus (Acts 22: 16, Matt. 26: 28, I Pet. 3: 21).
Furthermore, baptism stands between the sinner and being a new creature (2
Cor. 5: 17, Gal. 3: 27, Rom. 6: 5, 6), the promise of the Spirit (Acts 2:
38, cf. 3: 19), and the death of Jesus (Rom. 6: 3-5). Moreover, one cannot
partake of the blessings of the Kingdom of God and exercise a good
conscience without water baptism (Jn. 3: 3-5, I Pet. 3: 21)....."

Thanks again for your good question and for your interest in spiritual
matters. I recommend that you print out this email for future reference (web
addresses, etc.). You may print out any material you desire in both Bible
Questions and Bible Truths (see the copyright provision at the bottom of the
home page in Bible Truths).

Cordially,
Don Martin