Let's summarise.
In your opinion, in John 3:5, water doesn't mean water.
In my opinion, backed up by lots of evidence (some of which - by your own admittance - you didn't read), water in John 3:5 means just that - H2O
I don't recall admitting I hadn't read them. The closest thing I can find is me saying this:
"
These verses clearly show otherwise. And I must have missed whatever scripture you gave that state they aren't exclusive."
This was in response to you saying that the natural and spiritual aren't exclusive despite me giving 3 verses that directly say they are. I didn't see you give any verses other than two verses where Men of God laid hands on people and they received the Holy Ghost.
That isn't quite the same thing as spiritual water which brings eternal life and physical water, is it? And it really doesn't compare well to the verses I gave where Jesus and Paul said they don't mix, does it?
Well let's compare, just to be sure.
Your verses:
Acts 8:17 KJV
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Acts 19:6 KJV
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
My verses:
John 3:12 KJV
If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
Romans 8:5-8 KJV
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. [6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. [7] Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. [8] So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
They really don't compare well, do they?
In my opinion, backed up by lots of evidence (some of which - by your own admittance - you didn't read), water in
John 3:5 means just that - H2O
Well, what else did you provide? Historical evidence? The fact that people baptized in water? I've already acknowledged that they did, and I endorse it if they are compelled to do so. I am kind of glad that you brought up Irenaeus, because I actually like what he said concerning sacred water.
In your opinion, in
John 3:5, water doesn't mean water.
Well, that's wrong too! I believe it does mean water, but a greater water, which literal water simply symbolizes.
In short, to the question of whether Jesus was talking about literal or spiritual water in John 3:5, I am unconvinced by your theories and scriptural supports, as well as historical supports. When we have two types of water in the scripture (one noted for cleaning natural filth from the flesh and quenching thirty of the physical man, while the other is noted to give eternal life and quench spiritual thirst) AND noting that Jesus started he was speaking of spiritual things, I chose to believe Jesus was speaking of spiritual water in verse 3:5.