A challenge for Christians?

Question

I would like to put out a challenge on a VERY important scripture.
John 3:5 mentions that you must be born of the water and the Spirit in order to enter the kingdom of God.

What does it mean to be born of the water and why is this important?

This question is extremely important because salvation lies in the answer as Jesus stated. Being born of the water is a requirement along with being born of the Spirit to enter into heaven.

Here's a hint: It's not talking about baptism which is a common misunderstanding.

Yes, I am postitive it is not talking about baptism. This is why I am putting this challenge out.
Some have already answered correctly.
Now, please explain WHY it is important and HOW you become born of the Water.

This is a cornerstone of the Christian walk. Without this understanding, you are really at a disadvantage.

Chui,
What do you expect? You are asking questions to provoke people to anger, not to be sincere. If you are an athiest, then why are you spending so much time arguing with a God you don't believe in? I've looked at some of your questions and you are seriously misunderstanding scripture. You don't believe it's true and yet you ask for Christians to answer your questions when the only place they can get the answers from is the bible.
It's a catch 22 that you're locked in to argue about religion forever. Your devotion to something that is "fake" in your mind is quite hysterical.

Jtuck,
Boy are you misguided. Adam was not an intelectual baby. He was probably smarter than most people that ever lived. He could walk, talk, name all the animals and get married the first day.
He was pre programmed straight from God so who knows how smart he was. Eve was tempted because she never saw the creation happen. Adam gave in to her because that seems to be the pattern that men follow...to do whatever the woman wants.
God isn't tricking anyone and I'm certainly not the only person that knows this answer. The great thing about God is that He is understanding and merciful.
Most Christians are born of the water without calling it that. So, even though they might not understand it as being born of the water, they have this trait and fulfill the requirement as Jesus laid out.
So, whether all Christians are in agreement on this interpretation or not, it doesn't matter. As long as the requrement is filled. God is a perfect Judge.

The 3 existing beliefs that are out there have been given in the answers.
Everyone has done a great job at stating their case and thinking this through (except the scoffers).
Great points about the Greek, and other reasons that were given. Everyone gets an "A" for thinking.
Here is my understanding:
The answer is water mentioned here is the Word of God. Some have already given scriptures so I won't repeat. But here's why I believe this in as few words as possible.
Jesus is linking the Spirit and water together. Next verse He says Spirit is Spirit and flesh is flesh. He is trying to say that the natural birth has nothing to do with what He was talking about. He is strictly talking about spiritual things.
John 1 talks about how Christ IS the Word. We must have the Word in us to become born again. The Spirit helps us understand the Word so the two go hand in hand. Many Christians do not bother studying the Word after they get saved.

When they don't study the Word, they don't ever develop the relationship with Christ that is necessary to become born again. Too many "Christians" today have taken a lazy approach to Christianity and do not get to know God. Instead, they read obscure books, listen to Oprah and fashion ideas in their mind of what they think God is. But, their thoughts are not the God of the bible. It is only ideas in their mind. You must get to know the TRUE GOD and not ideas. The only way to do this is by the WORD.
We see in Matt 7:21-23 people who thought they were serving God but Jesus rejected them. These people were not born of the Word because Christ professes that He never knew them. They were like what I explained above and had a relationship with their ideas and not God.
Last point on why it isn't baptism. The next chapter Christ tells the woman of water springing into everlasting life. It is also the same Greek word used in John 3. We know in John 4 it was symbolic as in 3.

Answer 1

In Revalations 22:17, John tells us that Christ says: 'Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.'

The water of life is the Word of God, the Truth that Jesus died for us so that we may live.


It is free because God wishes ALL to receive that truth.


The Spirit is the Holy Spirit which Jesus left after he was resurrected. It's meant to guide us in our everyday lives.


That is very important because it's your only ticket to paradise - to eternity. Don't think that you need to head to eternity?

Revalations also states physical interpretations of how the new 'Jerusalem' would look like after the rapture. Streets lined with gold, several gates made out of precious stones - all SYMBOLISM.
God's greatness is too much for human understanding, so symbolism is used several times over in the Bible.

Meaning to say, the Kingdom of Heaven will be far more greater than anything on this earth.



Read the Bible - it has ALL the answers.

Answer 2

First, I don't think you are the be-all-and-end-all authority on the one-and-only interpretation of the Bible as you imply. Why CAN'T "born of water" mean baptism? There are many other passages that support baptism for salvation.

Second, I think you are playing games with us. If you want to have a serious discussion, you should tell people what you think instead of having everyone try to guess. I think you are afraid to tell everyone what your interpretation is because then people would disagree with you, and you know you don't have a good argument.

Third, of all the theories listed above baptism makes as much or more sense as any other. You may have your own ideas, but you can't prove it 100%. If you think it means natural birth, then it's a little redundant. "no person can enter the kingdom of heaven unless they are a person who is born and..." You wouldn't be much of a person if you weren't born, now would you?

If you are trying to prove a point, then just say what you want to say from now on. I don't appreciate being treated like a child. "Nope, keep guessing until you get it RIGHT." At least we have made an argument for what we think, but you haven't even told us what you think.

This is the end of my answer, and I'm not likely to come back to read any more answers.

Answer 3

Someone here mentions that "water=Word of God."

This is not acceptable for a couple of reasons. First, the Greek word used here does not support that theory. Second, why would Spirit be a capitalized word of important selection while the word for water has no roots in such an important meaning? Here are the Greek associations with this particular word used here for 'water:'

a) of water in rivers, in fountains, in pools
b) of the water of the deluge
c) of water in any of the earth's repositories
d) of water as the primary element, out of and through which the world that was before the deluge, arose and was compacted
e) of the waves of the sea
f) fig. used of many peoples

Someone else here mentioned that we should not rule out the possibility of this meaning baptism. I agree with that statement - we should never assume to know what a verse says when the meaning isn't completely clear as it stands alone. The majority of people I know support the idea that this means the first birth - the physical birth. You can see by the Greek definitions of this word above that it could mean either of these, feasibly.

However,

All of us are born physically, are we not? We do not need to fully understand this particular passage of Scripture in order to know beyond the shadow of a doubt how we can enjoy everlasting joy with our Maker in heaven. We have sufficient Scripture that tells us this. The consistencies are repentance, faith in Jesus, receiving the Holy Spirit and baptism. It's an easy conclusion - just study the New Testament.

May God bless.

Brandon

Answer 4

John 3:5-8
John 3:5-8


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.

Jesus now described the new birth in terms of water and Spirit. Of these two, Spirit is the more crucial (see v. 6). Water may well refer to the emphasis of John the Baptist on repentance and cleansing from sin as the necessary background for, even the negative side of, the new birth. Less natural is any allusion to the Word (1 Peter 1:23). The positive ingredient is the injection of new creation life by the regenerating power of the Spirit (cf. Titus 3:5). Ye must be born again. This is not merely a personal but a universal demand. The necessity lies in the inadequacy of the flesh. This includes what is merely natural and what is sinful-man as he is born into this world and lives his life apart from God's grace. Flesh can only reproduce itself as flesh, and this cannot pass muster with God (cf. Rom 8:8). The law of reproduction is "after its kind." So likewise the Spirit produces spirit, a life born, nurtured, and matured by the Spirit of God. If this spells mystery, let it be recognized that there is mystery in nature also. Wind (pneuma, the same word as for "Spirit") produces observable effects as it blows, but its source and future movements remain hidden. So the redeemed life shows itself as something effective, though defying analysis by the natural man (cf. 1 Cor 2:15).

Answer 5

you are confused: the answer is to be born of water is to be baptized then to be born of spirit is at the first resurrection when we will be changed to a spirit being at the coming of the Christ Jesus.
Re 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Re 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Re 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
no challenge at all you simply believe the word of God or you do not.

Answer 6

Born of the water means the washing of the word of God and being born of the spirit means be regenerated by the power of Holy Spirit.

Answer 7

Another biblical passage speaks of the Holy Spirit and water. If John 3:5 and Tit 3:5 are speaking of the same thing, then this "baptism" as some refer to it, is better understood as the theological idea of "regeneration."

Answer 8

I think it is referring to the physical birth, after all, the womb holds water in the amniotic sac. You would have to be born first and then born of the Spirit through believing in Christ.

Answer 9

That biblical deity is a real trickster, isn't he?

He not only sends two babies (intellectually speaking) into a garden with an extremely wise and cunning temptor so they can be tempted into "sin," now he puts the key to "salvation" into a code that only you can understand.

Heaven is going to be a very interesting place given his proclivity to torture his creations when they can't figure out his puzzles or can't resist his temptations.

Answer 10

Hmmmm... hint, hint, it IS talking about baptism by imersion by those holding proper authority followed by the baptism of the Holy Ghost, ie, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. What else might it be? I'm curious as to why you think this is "not talking about baptism".