[Biblemat] A follow up on John 3: 5

[Don Martin]

Don Martin sharing a follow up to John 3: 5:

I am currently in an exchange on another list regarding the subjects of
polygamy and the proper interpretive method for arriving at the truth
found in the Bible.  Three on that list took the position that, "...polygamy
is not against the will of God, even today" and they were opposed to
command, approve example, and necessary inference.  I mention this to
help you appreciate the references to these matters in my answer.
There is much movement in churches of Christ today.  It is at once a time
of challenge and opportunity, but also a time of sadness.  Anyway, one
member of that list responded to my published question/answer regarding
John 3: 5.  I shall share it and my answer, hoping it might be of some
general help (names are changed).

Don Martin to the list:

John Doe wrote:

If the WATER is Water Baptism in Jn. 3:5 (And I think it is) what
then is the Spirit in reference to in verse 5?

Don responds:

John, I have not seen any sign of life out of you lately on the list.
Perhaps I have missed your posts.  I am very pleased that you have
not taken up the cause of, "Polygamy is not against the will of God, even
today."  Some locals had heard of the exchange on polygamy.  I told them
that if I am lead to accept polygamy as a scriptural marriage arrangement,
along with the one man, one woman of Genesis 2: 24 and Matthew 19:
4f., I would start accepting applications.  There were several women in the
group and they got a laugh out of that.  They all spoke as one and said,
"Do not expect any applications!"  My wife was present and she just gave
me a dirty look.  So far, the polygamy guys have not convinced me; so, I
am happily stuck with one woman for life.  If I do not stop joking in her
presence, my life might not be long, though.

Regarding your good question, we are agreed that the "water" in John 3:
5 is baptism.  Some hold that "spirit" is simply referring to the animated
part of man, the part that responds to the new birth.  However, I think
there is more involved.  They contend that the absence of the definite
article in verse five (kai pneumatos, "and spirit") supports their claim
(the definite article connected to spirit, then, would not support their
claim, using their own logic and rationale).

It is interesting that in verses six and eight, the definite article is
present, tou pneumatos ("the spirit").

Jesus speaks of two births, each vastly different, the one physical,
the other not physical.  One is tangible and the other is
comparatively intangible (vs. 6, 8).  The physical birth is said to be
"earthly things" and the new birth, "heavenly things" (v. 13).

Some postulate that to be born of the water and "spirit" simply means
emergence into a spiritual atmosphere as opposed to a physical
climate. However, again, I believe there is more to it than just this.
Consider Jesus' statement in verse six:

"6: That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of
the Spirit is spirit."

Hence, by "spirit is," Jesus is connoting belonging to spirit, nature,
and climate (pneuma estin), but by "born of" or "out of the spirit"
(gegennemenon ek tou pneumatos), Jesus is meaning to say more.
If man's animation and spiritual climate are not simply meant, what
remains?  The remaining is the natural conclusion (inference) and
that is, the Holy Spirit is the "spirit" in the, "...born of water and of
spirit."

The totality of the teaching of the scriptures shows that the Holy
Spirit is responsible for man being born again.  Notice Jesus'
statement in John 6: 63:

"63: It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the
words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."

What "spirit" possesses making alive efficacy?  Man's animated
aspect and simply a spiritual as opposed to physical climate certainly
cannot make man alive.  However, the Spirit, himself deity and part
of the Godhead, can and does.  Notice also in Jesus' language the
association and involvement of "the words."  The Spirit by and
through the "words" produces life (Jas. 1: 18-21).

The view that "born of the spirit" in John 3: 5 is referring to the begettle
possess performed by the Holy Spirit is though the process of elimination
thus established, first, my the milieu in which the statement occurs.
When related teaching is introduced, there is further confirmation and,
also of great importance, perfect harmony and balance in the whole of
truth on this subject is observed.

John 3: 5 would not be viewed by most as a "commandment," not in
the literal sense.  Yet, I think the average and honest reader would so
view it (something necessary).  After a similar fashion, verse three would
not be considered a "commandment," again, the honest reader certainly
sees it as setting forth a necessary matter.

Jesus' proposed example satisfies to exemplify the truth being taught (v.
6).

By using the consideration of all plausible explanations as to what is
meant by "born of the spirit" and by exercising inference, the Holy Spirit
is deduced as the spirit part of "born of the spirit" in verse 5.  By
injecting all relevant teaching elsewhere taught and by carefully
considering all contexts to make sure of their contribution and to avoid
taking something out of context, one has the circumstance of the
"necessary inference," I believe, and by necessary inference I
contend that the Holy Spirit is meant.

If the above is true and I believe it is, there can also be the presence of
the specific excludes all unlike and incongruous matters.  Born of Spirit
excludes, born of human philosophy and rationale, for instance.  Born
of Spirit eliminates born of transcendental meditation, etc.  Born of the
word (Jas. 1: 18-21) poses no contradiction, it only reveals the agency
used by the Spirit to effect the new birth. The Spirit teaches in the word
the urgency and necessity of water baptism and sets forth the idea of one
in Christ and in Christ, being a "new creature or creation" (2 Cor. 5: 17,
Gal. 3: 26, 27).  It is in the act of baptism that the "old man" is put off
and the "new man" is raised to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6: 3f.).

The expression, "born of water and spirit" makes perfect sense when the
proper interpretive method is used.  Hence, by induction/deduction,
process of elimination, a specific excluding all unlike matters, the
acknowledgement of language showing necessity ("command"),
approved example, and necessary inference, the truth is established and
error is precluded.

Cordially,
Don Martin  dmartinbtbq at comcast.net

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