How do you interpret John 3:5?

Question

John 3:5
Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit."

It seems pretty clear to me.

Answer 1

The only interpretations needed in the good book are already in the book so the person reading does not need to interpret anything in there.

Answer 2

What seems clear to you? Just listen to some of the answers. There are attempts to make the reference to the waters of birth, which is interesting coming from Protestant fundamentalists who would normally say that the unborn are living human beings. If this verse refers to birth from one's mother's womb as a prerequisite to entering the kingdom, then does that mean that those who are killed before being born do not enter the kingdom? Or that they are not actual full-fledged human beings?

It may seem clear to you, but you have not said anything about how you interpret it. The diverse answers you've received, however, provide good illustration both of the fact that there are different ways people (to whom it seems 'pretty clear') understand the verse, and there are also lots of people who make sweeping assertions without having given any real thought to the implications.

Answer 3

You need to be re-born in order to enter God's Kingdom.

When you are Baptized... (in water) it is a physical indication and proclaimation to all that you have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord.

He then sends the Holy Spirit to comfort you. It is the Spirit of God himself, and you are His temple.

This Spirit is quite sensitive... and desires to leave if you do not make room for it.

Why is God the God of Life? He is Living. His word is alive. Jesus is quite alive, and so is the Holy Spirit.

As far as Gods Kingdom, it has come! It Simply hasn't yet been completed. Have you missed it?

If you see a Church being built on the Water all supported by the Word of God, then you already know that The Kingdom of God is within you.

You can walk in and of the Spirit (on water), yet be in the world.

Just as surely as you can walk in and of the world with snakes.

What I am speaking of is quite real... and not a metaphor to describe something. Faith is the most important thing in Creation. Without it what Good is possible?

Believe the Truth, and God Bless you!

Answer 4

Both water and spirit are the same thing. The water that Jesus promised the woman that you will never thirst again is the Holy Spirit--the new birth.

You will recall that when Israel passed through the water to the promised land, they were not all saved; in fact, only Caleb and Joshua made the grade.

So, Obviously one must also be baptized by the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, the Unholy Spirit will control.

More on how one is saved in a Bible code at www.revelado.org/revealed.htm

Blessings, and AGAPE Balaam

Answer 5

The reference to water is unclear. Does it mean baptizement or the kind of water that Christ references elsewhere which is really knowledge, understanding, discernment and wisdom? I'd go with the latter.

Otherwise, I'd interpret the verse as meaning that no one can get to Heaven unless he/she believes in God, repents, is "reborn," and receives and accepts the Holy Spirit and the understanding that comes with it. [Of course, we also know from other verses that we are also expected to accept Christ as our Savior as part of this process.]

Answer 6

Some folks think it refers to baptism; actually it has a two-fold meaning, one being of baptism, but the deeper message here is that God decreed that each soul will come through the flesh one time, born of the womans waters, to make an ultimate decision of who they would choose to follow.
So you need to come thru the flesh and also have the Holy Spirit enter into you in order to make the right choice; otherwise, you are doomed to make the wrong choice.

Answer 7

I belive the washing of water spoken of is symbolic with the Word of God; we are born of water (not physical, but spiritual) and the Holy Spirit. To understand this we must compare scripture with scripture:

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, - Ephesians 5:26.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. - Romans 10:17.

If you read further in the Gospel of St. John, you will see that Jesus confirms this when He says in chapter 15:

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. - John 15:3.

Speaking of the Holy Spirit working with the Gospel, Jesus likewise said:

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. - John 7:38.

This cannot be "literal" water flowing from "our bellies" but the gospel, which Jesus said is SPIRIT and LIFE:

It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh profit nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. - John 6:63.

Answer 8

It refers to baptism. In Catholicism, Orthodox Christianity, Lutheranism, Episcopalianism, Anglicanism, Methodism, we believe that upon being baptized with water, we are born anew with God's Holy Spirit....actually, the Trinity comes to dwell within us and to make of us a dwelling.

Incidentally, ALL of the above churches INSIST on infant baptism.....

Answer 9

Verse 6 interprets verse 5.

"Born of water" is human child birth, which means angels are NOT eligible.

"Born of the Spirit" is when we repent of our sins and ask Jesus to save us.

Pastor Art

Answer 10

Natural birth AND spiritual birth are both neccessary.

"But as many as received him (Jesus), TO THEM he gave the power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe in his name, which were born.... not of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but were born of God"- (John 1:12)

"Except a man be born again, he cannot enter the kingdom of God". _ Jesus

P.s. great question....

Answer 11

We are both body and spirit. Our spirit died when sin entered it, That's the part of us that needs to be "Born Again".

The ONLY way it can be done is by you allowing by Faith, Jesus to pay the penalty of you sins.