Jesus wasn't clearly speaking of spiritual or heavenly water or we would not be having this discussion.
Yes, actually he was clearly speaking of spiritual things. He got upset at Nicodemus because he didn't understand that point.
Doesn't say anything about water.
(speaking of John 3:12)
We're you following the conversation? You asked if spiritual and physical were exclusive. This verse shows that yes, they are. And by the way, John 3:5 doesn't say anything about baptism.
They say nothing about baptism
And again you are pushing the Protestant either/or line. Physical and spiritual are not mutually exclusive as I showed.
Again, were you following the conversation? These verses clearly show otherwise. And I must have missed whatever scripture you gave that state they aren't exclusive.
Actually scripture says Jesus baptised with [literal] water.
After this Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea; there he remained with them and baptized.(Jn 3:17)
And they came to John, and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you bore witness, here he is, baptizing, and all are going to him.” (Jn 3:28
Well, you are in for a shock here... How far did you read down?
John 4:1-3 KJV
When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, [2] (
Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) [3] He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.
Baptism with the Holy Spirit " was after Jesus dies and rose again. At this time there was only baptism with water.
John said Jesus would do it.
Matthew 3:11 KJV
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
John connects them by putting them in a sequence.
No he doesn't. Jesus's discussion was about many things, water baptism not being one of them. They are in sequence, but that doesn't make them related. However, if you want to stick with that theory, the next event after Jesus and his disciples were baptizing (though Jesus didn't perform water baptisms) was the incident at the well where Jesus spoke of the difference between literal and heavenly water.
And that incident at the well is part of my point. It shows there is a literal water and a heavenly (spiritual/sacred) water. The later will bring everlasting life. Understanding this point, which do you believe he was speaking of in John 3:5?
It's all about literal water not spiritual water.
Naaman had to do two things:
1. Have faith.
2. Be obedient and be baptised (washed) in literal water.
Have you read the original account? Naaman DIDN'T have faith. He was rather offended and refused at first. His servant had to talk him into it. His problem wasn't with being baptized in water, he just didn't want to do it in the Jordan River. I get the impression that besides leprosy, his pride had to be washed away.
This was about obedience.
Jesus said "He who believes and is baptized will be saved"
Absolutely! I believe we have to be baptized too! But we must be baptized in his blood and in him.
Yes, baptism is symbolic - the washing symbolises the inner cleansing that the Holy Spirit is doing within us.
And that is the baptism I am speaking of.