WATER AND SPIRIT

WATER AND SPIRIT

“Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5

Is this speaking of water baptism as well as spirit baptism? No.

Certain negative things argue against this being baptism.

a. The word baptism does not occur in the passage.

b. If it is baptism, it cannot be Christian for this had not yet been announced until Matt. 28:19

c. In act the announcement of building the church has not ever been made. Matt. 16:18

d. Nowhere else in the Bible is water baptism made the agent for the new birth.

Certain positive things argue against water baptism.

a. Nicodemus knew what Christ meant, as Christ makes very clear. (vs. 9-10)

b.   Therefore one must consult the O.T. for information. Ezek. 36:24-30 parallel with John 3:5

    Water - water

    Spirit - Spirit

    New Birth - New heart

c. This passage deals with entrance into the kingdom.

d. The sprinkling in Ezekiel would call for baptism by sprinkling.

The Proper Explanation of the passage

a. Water is a symbol of the Word of God and the Spirit of God.

John 4:14

John 15:3

John 7:37-39

b.   The Word is the agent of the new birth.

James 1:18

1 Pet. 1:23

John 4:14

c.   If one insists that this must be taken literally, then also "pneuma" should be wind, as in vs. 8.

d.   The Samaritan woman made a blunder of taking Jesus literally (John 4:15) Let us not do so.