This was the response of Nicodemus to Jesus' statement, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Jesus explains further that a man cannot enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and of the Spirit. The Spirit is the Holy Spirit (God), but what is the "water?
2007-01-11 05:41:49 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
"Of water and spirit" could refer to ;
1. The contrast between physical birth (water) and spiritual birth (spirit).
2. Being regenerated by the Spirit and signifying that rebirth by Christian baptism.
3. The water may also represent the cleansing action of Gos's Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).
2007-01-11 07:48:20 · answer #1 · answered by Freedom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Baptized in water as a man like Jesus did at the age of 33. There is no record of a baby being baptized anywhere in the Bible. Water baptism is an act of washing away the old man and putting on the new. (the inviting so to speak of the Holy Spirit in our lives)
2007-01-11 13:47:17 · answer #2 · answered by heavnbound 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Baptism, see Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Romans 6:4,5,6, 1Corinthians 12:13 Galatians 3:27 Colossians 2:12,13,14, 1 Peter 3:21
Also see Galatians 1:8,9, to see what Paul said about man preaching something different than what thy preached.
2007-01-11 13:50:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The water is the water used in baptism. At baptism, we "rise to walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4). To enter a new life, you are born into it.
2007-01-11 14:30:05 · answer #4 · answered by JoeBama 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Water is the Baptism and Spirit is the Gift of the Holy Ghost or Confirmation. And that is that.
2007-01-11 13:45:09 · answer #5 · answered by Presagio 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The water is repentance. John the Baptist preached baptism by water and repentance. IE Luke 3:7&8
2007-01-11 13:46:59 · answer #6 · answered by great gig in the sky 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The water is your acknowledgment of Him. The Spirit is His response to a true and repentant heart. When you have the Holy Spirit, you have the water of life!
2007-01-11 13:46:57 · answer #7 · answered by JohnC 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This is one of the clearest passages of scripture teaching the importance of physical, water immersion (NOT sprinkling) baptism. Jesus teaches plainly that in order for an individual to be worthy to enter the Kingdom of God they must demonstrate their humility by following the example of the Savior by being physically baptized in water by one who has the proper authority. If physical baptism was NOT essential, the Lord Himself would not have set the example by being baptized by John. And immersion is the only recognized method of baptism, since sprinking baptism totally loses the symbolism discussed in Romans 6 of being "buried" and brought forth a new person. Baptism by sprinkling was a man-made, false doctrine started by Constantine (who could not swim and was afraid of being immersed in water and hence changed the true practice of baptism by immersion to baptism by sprinkling.) True revealed religion only recognizes baptism by immersion by one that has the proper authority.
End of debate.
2007-01-11 14:09:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The water represents the baptism of in water in the name of The Lord Jesus Christ & also the blood & water that flowed out of Jesus side.
2007-01-11 13:48:34 · answer #9 · answered by birdsflies 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The water is the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.
2007-01-11 13:45:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋