What does being born again mean?

[Lizbeth]

Jn 3:5

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

The Jews under the old covenant were baptized in water only (mikvah)....since the Holy Spirit had not yet been poured out. Jesus was saying they couldn't enter the kingdom of God only by undergoing mikvah, but they needed to be born of the Spirit also. This is when we receive Christ by faith...when His Spirit takes up residence within us......and it is an act of God, not an act of man. Then the Spirit testifies to our spirit that we are a child of God....born again as a new creation.

Later when we're baptized with the Holy Spirit (or for some people they are baptized in the Holy Spirit at the same time they are being born again), it is like the Lord doubling down on our salvation and sealing it. And this is an act of God as well, not an act of man.

It's a miraculous thing that happens when we're born again of the Spirit....our eyes are opened, we pass from death to life, our life is changed, we receive revelation of God, and we embark on a real living relationship and dialogue with the Living God. Different people may experience different details in the experience, but overall it's the same result for all....we once were lost but now are found. Praise the Lord for His goodness.

 

[mailmandan]

To be "born again" (John 3:3) means to be "born from above." Those who are born again experience a spiritual transformation through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:5) Believers have been born again not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God (1 Peter 1:23) and have become partakers of the divine nature. (2 Peter 1:4) Mere moral self-reformation is not a substitute for regeneration.

 

[brightfame52]

Jn 3:5

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

I believe this means to be born of the water of the word, which is the Gospel, and the Spirit. One is first born of the Spirit, given new life by Him, and then that new life from the Spirit is brought forth by the Gospel. James 1:18

18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

The word of Truth is the washing of the water by the word[Gospel] Eph 5:26

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

 

[Ferris Bueller]

“Faith alone” accomplishes nothing!

The proper phrase is "righteousness apart from works" Romans 4:6. Faith 'alone' is an entirely different argument and has nothing to do with how to be born again.

 

[Ferris Bueller]

Scripture says none of the things about “Faith alone”!

'Faith alone' is in the Bible. It's James' argument about claiming to have faith but having a faith that does not obey God. It has nothing to do with some perceived necessity to do works in order to be born again.

 

[Taken]

'Faith alone' is in the Bible. It's James' argument about claiming to have faith but having a faith that does not obey God. It has nothing to do with some perceived necessity to do works in order to be born again.

Some have construed “works” to mean anything and everything one can think of that involves labor, and especially “works” without “payment” rendered. And “that” comes in very handy, when Church organizations, “guilt” people into, building, cleaning, tending, buildings!
Join in, get your (clout) name in the program, how much you do “for” the Church. See how you stand out above the rest...!!

Faith is a measured Gift, to men, for men who HEARING the Word of God.
...Hear little, Receive little Faith. Hear much, Receive much Faith.

Works meaning is expressly revealed in Scripture.
...Question Asked. Question expressly answered.

John 6:
[28] Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
[29] Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

So..there ya go. Not secret. Not a long list. To the Point.
Faith, a gift for hearing.
Works, Believing what you Hear.

And the next thing is: Service.
What is a mans “reasonable Service” ?

Rom 1:
[1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Next is HOW TO present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God?

Next is: Conversion

Mark 4:
[12] That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
John.12
[40] He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

YES, each thing ALONE by its own Standing IN CONTEXT, Equals ONE specific Result.

Faith alone...........Yes, For hearing.
Works alone.........Yes, For believing.
Service alone.......Yes, For confessing heartful belief.
Converted alone...Yes, For Receiving Forgiveness and Healing.
Bible alone...........Yes, For All necessary Knowledge revealed to have a ONCE and FOREVER relationship WITH the Lord God Almighty.

Amen!

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Peter wrote 1 Peter in A.D. 62-64. To give you a perspective, Paul wrote Romans in A.D. 57.

Now, in 1 Peter 3:20-21, it is clear that the baptism being spoken of that "doth also now save us" (v.21) is in water (v.20).

First, you did not quote the whole passage that refutes your false belief.

1 Peter 3:20-21 says:
20 “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”

On verse 20: Noah and his family did not receive eternal life by the flood waters, and neither were they saved physically by the waters that destroyed that old world. They were only saved in the sense from the bad evil influence from that excessively wicked sinful world. So the old sinful world no longer plagued them anymore. This is a parallel to our past life of sin (our conscience being cleaned or washed by the Spirit in our seeking forgiveness with the Lord). 1 Peter 3:21 talks about how a believer has a good conscience already (by seeking forgiveness with the Lord) before they give an answer by water baptism.

On verse 21: The like figure (or parallel) given from verse 20 is mentioned above. Noah was not physically saved by the flood waters but he was saved by the Ark (Which would be Jesus Christ). Baptism saves us not for the putting away of “the filth of the flesh” (i.e. sin; Note: For we see the phrase: “filthiness of the flesh” as in reference to “sin” in 2 Corinthians 7:1). The phrase: “the filth of the flesh” could also be interpreted as not as an outward cleansing ritual that saves (removal of dirt from the body). Baptism saves us to give an answer to having an already clean or good conscience before God (Which cleansed conscience prior to baptism by seeking forgiveness with the Lord Jesus is made possible by the resurrection of Jesus Christ).

Second, you fail to take into consideration that Peter and the other Jewish apostles were steeped in Jewish traditions or the old ways, and it took them time to come out from such things. For example: We see Peter used to eat with the Gentiles (who were uncircumcised), but when certain Jewish friends of James came (the circumcised), Peter withdrew himself in eating with the Gentiles because he feared the Jew's criticism on the necessity of circumcision (See: Galatians 2:11-21). Hebrews 9:10 says that washings (Greek: baptismos; βαπτισμός) was imposed upon them until the time of reformation. In your view: What would these washings be? Nothing? Every kind of OT washing except John the baptist's water baptism? But Jesus basically said the Law and the prophets were until John the baptist (Luke 16:16). Also, we see even Paul being pressured to obey the Old Law in regards to an OT purification rite (involving animal sacrifices) (Acts of the Apostles 21:20-26).

Water baptism is indeed a point of contact for faith.

This again is false. We see plenty of places in the New Testament of salvation or the forgiveness of sin without water baptism involved. John 1:12 says, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” Nothing here in John 1:12 about water baptism as a point of contact of faith. It says that to those who receive Him (Jesus) or those who believe on His name gave he power to become sons of God. So just believing on the name of Jesus for salvation by faith will save a person. We see Jesus forgive sins of various people in the gospels and no water baptism was necessary for them.

Col 2:11, In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Col 2:12, Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

This baptism spoken about in Colossians 2:12 is in reference to the death of Jesus Christ. For in Luke 12:50, we learn about how Jesus refers to his upcoming death upon the cross as a baptism. This makes sense because Romans 6:3-4 talks about how when we are baptized, we are baptized into Christ's death. The dry baptism by the Spirit is what truly baptizes us into Christ's death. Water or a water ritual alone cannot baptize you into the death of Jesus Christ. It is spiritual. Not physical.

 

[Brakelite]

What does being born again mean?

KJV Revelation 3:20
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me .

KJV John 1:12-13
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

KJV 2 Corinthians 5:17-19
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

KJV Romans 8:1-12, 29-39
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 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.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

[Marine0311]

The phrase “ask Jesus into your heart” is not in the Bible. Believing in your heart is biblical:

Believing that Jesus is the Son of God.

Believing that God raised Jesus from the dead.

“…If thou believest with all thine heart… that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (Acts 8:37)

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

There’s no teaching in the Bible instructing us to “ask Jesus into our heart”.

 

[heartwashed]

I believe this means to be born of the water of the word, which is the Gospel, and the Spirit. One is first born of the Spirit, given new life by Him, and then that new life from the Spirit is brought forth by the Gospel. James 1:18

18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

The word of Truth is the washing of the water by the word[Gospel] Eph 5:26

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

There is no reason to believe that "water" is referring to anything other than water; unless you are disobeying God's injunction to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth for the remission of sins.

First, you did not quote the whole passage that refutes your false belief.

Wrong...because, it is not a false belief. And also, I referred to the part of the passage that was relevant to the subject. Of course anyone can read the whole of the passage because I gave a reference to the passage.

Baptism saves us not for the putting away of “the filth of the flesh” (i.e. sin; Note: For we see the phrase: “filthiness of the flesh” as in reference to “sin” in 2 Corinthians 7:1).

Baptism does not put away the filth of the flesh (1 Peter 3:21); but it does wash away sins (Acts of the Apostles 22:16).

The phrase: “the filth of the flesh” could also be interpreted as not as an outward cleansing ritual that saves (removal of dirt from the body).

That is what I am saying.

Hebrews 9:10 says that washings (Greek: baptismos; βαπτισμός) was imposed upon them until the time of reformation. In your view: What would these washings be? Nothing?

Certainly the principle that was just discussed above indicates that these "washings" have nothing to do with John's baptism; neither baptism in Jesus' Name.

This again is false.

No, it is true. Water baptism is in fact a point of contact for faith; because of the passage that I quoted to substantiate it and also because in Acts of the Apostles 2:38-39, water baptism is the condition to a conditional promise, that one might receive remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Nothing here in John 1:12 about water baptism as a point of contact of faith.

So, John 1:12 is not the only verse in the Bible.

If every relevant doctrine could be included in one verse, the whole of the Bible would be one verse long.

This baptism spoken about in Colossians 2:12 is in reference to the death of Jesus Christ.

It is speaking of water baptism.

I find it strange how some people think that what the scripture says plainly always has to mean something else.

Just take it at face value.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Rain water was clean water; filtered by the process of evaporation and condensation.

Ezekiel 36:25-27 can also be taken as a mandate to sprinkle clean water on someone in order to bring about regeneration; for in the passage, the result is that the stony heart is taken out of the flesh and one is given an heart of flesh; they are given a new heart and a new spirit; so that they might walk in God's statutes and in His judgments. All as the result of clean water being sprinkled on them.

While rain water is clean in areas where the air is not polluted, the rain water that would be clean would be instantly contaminated the moment it would fall into a jar, or container. Back then, they did not always think about sanitary methods to clean like we do unless they just happened to by some chance boil the water in a metal container. This seems unlikely that they would do this so as to fulfill the prophecy in Ezekiel. The obvious meaning here is that the sprinkling of clean water on us (from Ezekiel) is in reference to a dry baptism whereby the Spirit changes and cleanses us spiritually by faith. So it’s not literal water being sprinkled upon us but it is a metaphor for the working of the Spirit that changes us.

Jesus "made and baptized more disciples than John".
Though it was not by Jesus' hands, the water baptism was by Jesus' authority.

Jesus also told a Jew to reconcile with his brother first before offering an animal sacrifice (See: Matthew 5:23-24).
Such a thing was also under Jesus’ authority, but His instructions involving an offering animal sacrifices no longer applies to us believers anymore.
This is what you fail to understand. You are not reading the Bible in context to whom it was written to.

Peter said that it was to "you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off."

If you want to say that the latter part of that is referring only to Jews, I don't think that you are thinking clearly.

So the whole vision thing given to Peter about the inclusion of the Gentiles into God’s program in Acts 10 through Acts 11 is just a lie?
Peter did not even know that the Gentiles were accepted into God’s program until this event. Try reading again more carefully Acts of the Apostles 10 and Acts of the Apostles 11.

Yes, I see water as the call.

Which is nonsense because we see plenty of verses in the New Testament of how we are saved INITIALLY by a belief in Jesus Christ. Also we learn that one can be saved initially by the gospel message as found in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. No water baptism is mentioned. This is why Paul was not sent to baptize but to preach the gospel. For the gospel is what saves.

It is a conditional promise given to as many as the Lord our God shall call (Acts 2:39). And the condition of the promise (which is remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost) is repentance and baptism in Jesus' Name.

But you were not a Jew living during that time period being called to repent and recognize the Messiah your people had arranged to be killed. Most likely you are a Gentile living in today’s day and age and so you cannot apply this instruction to your life because Paul makes it clear that he came not to baptize but to preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 1:17), and Paul says we are to imitate him (1 Corinthians 11:1). Besides, Peter was not even saying to the Jew at that time that it was in order for one’s sins to be remitted. Peter was saying to repent and be baptized because of the remission of sins provided to us in Christ Jesus.

So, I used to teach that water baptism was only one means of receiving remission of sins and the Holy Ghost, rather than the only means.

Both views are incorrect. So your teaching here to others would be incorrect (of which a person can see for themselves by just reading their New Testament). Paul makes it clear that a belief accounted him righteous before the work of circumcision (See again: Romans 4:2-3, and Romans 4:9-12).

However, in comparing Acts 2:39 to Romans 8:30, I found that one is not justified and then glorified unless they are called; and that in order to be called, one must receive baptism in Jesus' Name.

You are reading the promise out of context. The promise in Acts 2:39 is the promise of the Holy Ghost (See: Acts of the Apostles 2:33).
However, we know that the promise of the Holy Ghost was given to the Gentiles without water baptism in Acts 10. In Acts 19, if you take this to be a water baptism, either Paul first laid his hands on the Ephesian believers so as to water baptize and they received the Spirit (before being water baptized), or water baptism did not give them the promise of the Holy Ghost, and Paul had to later lay his hands on them afterwards so that they could receive the promise of the Holy Spirit. This again would simply show that the promise of the Holy Spirit is not directly tied to one being water baptized.

Since this is pretty clear-cut, I consider that the instances where it seems to be that people are saved apart from baptism in Jesus' Name, are mere arguments that will be demolished by the weapons of our warfare; which are not carnal but mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds.

So you simply ignore other Scripture verses in the New Testament that teach salvation without water baptism?
That makes no sense.

It remains that Acts 2:38 is a conditional promise that is given to as many as the Lord our God shall call.

And that if someone is not called, they will not be justified and neither will they be glorified.

Again, God’s call is different from your understanding on Peter’s words in Acts 2:38.

I also used to teach that in Mark 16:16, if you believe and are not baptized, you should not perish (John 3:16);

While if you believe and are baptized, you shall be saved.

So, bringing it to that point, I would say that belief apart from baptism may save you but there is no guarantee (it is "iffy").

Whereas baptism in Jesus' Name has the ability to provide for you absolute assurance of salvation.

For by grace are ye saved by faith and not that of yourselves, it is the gift of God, and not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Wrong...because, it is not a false belief. And also, I referred to the part of the passage that was relevant to the subject. Of course anyone can read the whole of the passage because I gave a reference to the passage.

Not true. Water Baptism for salvation is false because of 1 Corinthians 1:17, 1 Corinthians 11:1, 1 Peter 3:21, Hebrews 9:10, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 4:2-3, Romans 4:9-12.

Baptism does… does wash away sins (Acts of the Apostles 22:16).

The portion of Ananias words telling Paul to call upon the name of the Lord is what washes away sins.
It was not the baptism part.

Acts of the Apostles 16:22
“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”

Would arising also be a part of washing away one’s sins?
Do we have to arise to have our sins washed away, too?
Surely not.

Certainly the principle that was just discussed above indicates that these "washings" have nothing to do with John's baptism; neither baptism in Jesus' Name.

But the Law and the prophets was until John the Baptist (Luke 16:16).
We are not under the Law (Romans 6:14).

No, it is true. Water baptism is in fact a point of contact for faith; because of the passage that I quoted to substantiate it and also because in Acts of the Apostles 2:38-39, water baptism is the condition to a conditional promise, that one might receive remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost.

No. Water baptism is not a point of contact of faith. Jesus forgave sins of others by their faith, and no water baptism was necessary.

So, John 1:12 is not the only verse in the Bible.

But you are not explaining John 1:12 in how it works in your belief in baptism for salvation. No water baptism for salvation is mentioned in John 1:12. This verse would not be telling the truth if what you believe is true.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Reasons why water baptism is no longer necessary today.

#1. Water baptism was originally for the Jews and not Gentiles. Water baptism was given up by Paul (1 Corinthians 1:17), and we don’t see any repeat instructions of Paul saying similar words in Acts 2:38 to other Gentile Christians (like Timothy, or Luke, or a Gentile church, etcetera).

#2. Matthew 28:19 says we are to baptize all nations. In other words, if one wants to obey the great commission command, logically, he should also do the baptizing and not merely being baptized. I’m sure millions of Christians are not obeying that command, because while they were perhaps have been baptized, they do not obey the command, which is “to baptize.”

#3. Paul said he came not to baptize but to preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 1:17), and Paul told us to follow his example (1 Corinthians 11:1).

#4. Paul said he thanks God that he did not baptize the majority of the Corinthian believers (1 Corinthians 1:14). If baptism was for salvation, he would have never said this. Obviously Paul said this because folks back then were taking baptism to mean something that it was not.

#5. Hebrews 9:10 says, “Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.” The word “washings” is the Greek word “baptismos” (βαπτισμός) (Check out here for the Strong’s definition). In other words, Hebrews 9:10 is saying that diverse baptisms (washings) were imposed on believers until the time of reformation. Meaning, water baptism will give way or pass away until the time of reformation (Which means that Spirit baptism is now the one and only true baptism for today).

#6. 1 Corinthians 12:13 says, “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.” So it is by the Spirit that we are baptized into the body of Christ and not by a water ritual.

#7. Verses on Initial Salvation by God’s grace through faith like Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 4:2-5, Titus 3:5, John 1:12, Luke 18:9-14, and Jesus forgiving the sins of others all show that water baptism was not necessary for salvation.

#8. If baptism is for salvation, then why was Jesus baptized?

#9. 1 Peter 3:21 makes it clear that baptism does not save us in the putting away of the filth of the flesh (sin), but it only saves us in answering in having an already clean or good conscience. For even the parallel made in 1 Peter 3:20 shows that the flood waters did not actually literally save Noah and his family. It was the Ark (Jesus) that saved them.

#10. Ephesians 1:13 says,
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” This lets us know that by hearing the gospel, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. This is being immersed into the Spirit for the first time sort of like with Cornelius and his household. In fact, the gospel that we receive that saves us initially (as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4) mentions nothing about water baptism.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

To be "born again" (John 3:3) means to be "born from above." Those who are born again experience a spiritual transformation through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:5) Believers have been born again not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God (1 Peter 1:23) and have become partakers of the divine nature. (2 Peter 1:4) Mere moral self-reformation is not a substitute for regeneration.

On this we agree.

 

[atpollard]

Jn 3:5

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

What you are (were born) is not good enough and never will. Entry into the Kingdom of Heaven requires a SPIRITUAL transformation … a REBIRTH … becoming a new creation.


Ie. “Ain’t no little change we talking here.”

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I believe this means to be born of the water of the word, which is the Gospel, and the Spirit. One is first born of the Spirit, given new life by Him, and then that new life from the Spirit is brought forth by the Gospel. James 1:18

18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

The word of Truth is the washing of the water by the word[Gospel] Eph 5:26

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

I agree. Well, said. The water (in John 3:5) is being begotten by the message of God’s Word (Which would include our receiving the gospel message in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). I also believe it can include calling upon the name of the Lord Jesus, as well (Romans 10:9, Romans 10:12-13) (i.e. to seek forgiveness with Jesus Christ by way of prayer).

Some take being born of water to refer to our natural birth (i.e. the Nicodemus interpretation), and others take it to mean water baptism (When Scripture gives no indication that this is so). The correct view on being born of water is to be changed spiritually by the receiving of the message of God’s Word. The Bible is no longer a dead book to us anymore. It is a living book that is spiritually alive to us now. We treat God’s words as holy and from God. We seek to live our life according to His Word (the New Testament) and not by the old man and his way of thinking anymore. Some approach the Scriptures today from a carnal perspective when it comes to certain topics in the Bible. This is why it is important that we truly know that we have been born by water (by the Word). Traditions of men from one’s church can be strong and therefore, they nullify God’s words by their traditions.

 

[brightfame52]

heartwashed

There is no reason to believe that "water" is referring to anything other than water;

The water of the word.

unless you are disobeying God's injunction to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth for the remission of sins.

One should not be water baptized until after they are born again, Peter was speaking to the regenerate in Acts 2:38, new born babes in Christ.

And remission of sins accompanies and results from the blood shed of Christ Matt 26:28

28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

 

[farouk]

The Jews under the old covenant were baptized in water only (mikvah)....since the Holy Spirit had not yet been poured out. Jesus was saying they couldn't enter the kingdom of God only by undergoing mikvah, but they needed to be born of the Spirit also. This is when we receive Christ by faith...when His Spirit takes up residence within us......and it is an act of God, not an act of man. Then the Spirit testifies to our spirit that we are a child of God....born again as a new creation.

Later when we're baptized with the Holy Spirit (or for some people they are baptized in the Holy Spirit at the same time they are being born again), it is like the Lord doubling down on our salvation and sealing it. And this is an act of God as well, not an act of man.

It's a miraculous thing that happens when we're born again of the Spirit....our eyes are opened, we pass from death to life, our life is changed, we receive revelation of God, and we embark on a real living relationship and dialogue with the Living God. Different people may experience different details in the experience, but overall it's the same result for all....we once were lost but now are found. Praise the Lord for His goodness.

HI @Lizbeth Reminds me of Romans 8.16:

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God".

 

[brightfame52]

heartwashed

Baptism does not put away the filth of the flesh (1 Peter 3:21); but it does wash away sins (Acts of the Apostles 22:16).

Friend thats heresy, the blood of Christ washes away our sins Rev 1:5

And 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,

What you advocate goes against the Blood of Christ.

Christ purged our sins if He died for us Heb 1:3
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:

The word purged here means:

1. a cleansing, purification, a ritual purgation or washing
   
   
   1. of the washing of the Jews before and after their meals
      
      
   2. of levitical purification of women after childbirth
      
      
   3. a cleansing from the guilt of sins wrought by the expiatory sacrifice of Christ
      

Now Barnes says of Acts 22:16

And wash away thy sins - Receive baptism as emblematic of the washing away of sins. It cannot be intended that the external rite of baptism was sufficient to make the soul pure, but that it was an ordinance divinely appointed as expressive of the washing away of sins, or of purifying the heart. Compare Hebrews 10:22.

JFB says

16. be baptized and wash away thy sins—This way of speaking arises from baptism being the visible seal of remission.

Matt Poole

Wash away thy sins; as washing causeth the spots to disappear, and to be as if they had not been, Isaiah 1:18; so does pardoning mercy, or remission of sins, which accompanieth baptism, as in the due receiver, Matthew 3:11 1 Peter 3:21,22. Where true faith is, together with the profession of it by baptism, there is salvation promised, Mark 16:16. In the mean while it is not the water, (for that only signifies), but it is the blood of Christ, which is thereby signified, that cleanseth us from our sins, as 1Jo 1:7

John Gill

arise, and be baptized; this shows that Ananias was a Christian, since he directs to an ordinance of Christ, and that he was a preacher of the word, and had a right to administer baptism; for that it was administered by him, though not in express terms yet seems to be naturally concluded from Acts 9:18 as also this passage shows, that baptism was not administered by sprinkling, since Saul might have sat still, and have had some water brought to him, and sprinkled on him; but by immersion, seeing he is called upon to arise, and go to some place proper and convenient for the administration of it, according to the usage of John, and the apostles of Christ. "And wash away thy sins"; or "be washed from thy sins"; not that it is in the power of man to cleanse himself from his sins; the Ethiopian may as soon change his skin, or the leopard his spots, as a creature do this; nor is there any such efficacy in baptism as to remove the filth of sin; persons may submit unto it, and yet be as Simon Magus was, in the gall of bitterness, and bond of iniquity; but the ordinance of baptism, may be, and sometimes is, a means of leading the faith of God's children to the blood of Christ, which cleanses from all sin;

 

[brightfame52]

bible highlighter

#5. Hebrews 9:10 says, “Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.” The word “washings” is the Greek word “baptismos” (βαπτισμός) (Check out here for the Strong’s definition). In other words, Hebrews 9:10 is saying that diverse baptisms (washings) were imposed on believers until the time of reformation. Meaning, water baptism will give way or pass away until the time of reformation (Which means that Spirit baptism is now the one and only true baptism for today).

Interesting that the word washing is the word for baptism. I find your comment interesting "Hebrews 9:10 is saying that diverse baptisms (washings) were imposed on believers until the time of reformation. Meaning, water baptism will give way or pass away until the time of reformation (Which means that Spirit baptism is now the one and only true baptism for today)."

Do you believe water baptism is for today ? Even as a symbol ?