What's the water of rebirth?
Jesus told Nicodemus that "no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit." [John 3:3-5;NRSV] The apostle Paul taught that we are saved "according to his mercy,through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." [***us 3:5;NRSV]
It's inferred by the text
The actual word baptism is never mentioned in these p***ages of scripture. It's inferred by the text and this interpretation is in accordance with both the understanding of this p***age and theology of the early Church Fathers. More importantly it is also in agreement with scripture.
Jesus did say to Nicodemus that "Very truly,I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." This particular p***age does not refer to the ordinance of baptism by immersion in water. It teaches us who is the source of our spiritual rebirth or regeneration. The method that God chooses to use is our "being born of water and Spirit." [John 3:3-5;NRSV] The apostle Paul also taught that we are born from above "through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." [***us 3:5;NRSV]
You answered my question how?
Stating that "Regeneration is a work of God,not by some ritual that we do" does not answer my question. The Greek word Palingenesia--palin (again),genesis (beginning,birth) means literally the New Birth. The apostle Paul mentions both the "water of rebirth" or the "washing of regeneration" along with the "renewal by the Holy Spirit" as part of the process of how being"justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life". This time instead of avoiding answering my specific question or dismissing it why don't you give me a direct answer?
1 is the lonelyness number Paul ever knew.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mesenja
The ordinance of baptism is part of the doctrine that Paul himself preached. [Hebrews 6:2] Paul was immersed in order to have his sins “washed away” [Acts 22:16] and taught that in order to have "redemption through his blood,the forgiveness of sins,in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding" we are to be baptized "into Christ”. [Ephesians 1:3;Romans 6:3-4;Galatians 3:27] Jesus spoke of being "born of water" and Paul clarifies exactly which birth is being referred to here by saying this is "the water of rebirth" [John 3:3-5,NRSV;***us 3:5,NRSV]
One Lord, one faith, one baptism, EPH. 4:5. (1)
Then remembered the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. ACTS 11:16. water baptism, Holy Ghost Baptism, does this mean there are 2 baptism?
And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. What now we have a third baptism, right?
And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 1 Cor. 1:16. What, doesn't look like Paul was to concern who he had baptized. I wonder why?
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 1 Cor. 12:13, Wait, I think we are getting some where here. We now have 1 body, put that with 1 baptism and where headed in the right place.
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. GAL 3:26-28.
So how did we get from John's baptism to children of God by faith in Christ Jesus?
It wasn't overnight, it took time, but Paul and Peter both got it. It isn't about water, laying on of hands, or a Church name above a building that make a person a child of God, it is by Faith in Christ Jesus of the Holy Bible. We know this by drinking in the spiritual waters of the Holy Ghost.
Remember when Jesus said, I give you living water? Drink of this cup and you will have Eternal life, amen!
That is not what the Bible says.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mesenja
The ordinance of baptism is part of the doctrine that Paul himself preached. [Hebrews 6:2] Paul was immersed in order to have his sins “washed away” [Acts 22:16] and taught that in order to have "redemption through his blood,the forgiveness of sins,in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding" we are to be baptized "into Christ”. [Ephesians 1:3;Romans 6:3-4;Galatians 3:27] Jesus spoke of being "born of water" and Paul clarifies exactly which birth is being referred to here by saying this is "the water of rebirth" [John 3:3-5,NRSV;***us 3:5,NRSV]
Our sins are washed away by the blood of the Lamb....Amen
Revelation 1:5
5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Revelation 7:14
14And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
And yes being born of water and Spirit does mean amniotic fluid and Holy Spirit Baptism.
Nicodemus was already destined for heaven as long as he kept the Law because he was a Jew, but Jesus said that now it takes more in that Nicodemus also had to be born again and the sixth verse bears this out.
6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Right there Jesus is talking about natural birth and Spiritual Birth and it has nothing to do with water baptism....PERIOD!!
And you have to understand that only a few times where baptism is mentioned does it refer to water baptism. Most of the time it is referring to Holy Spirit Baptism.
Andy