The MEANS is not the ENDS.
That's where your confusion lies. The means is simply a tool for attaining the ends.
The Bible is crytal clear that we are to be Baptized with WATER and we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). THAT'S why Peter says that this WATER Baptism now SAVES us (1 Pet. 3:21). It's funny how you anti-Water Baptism people make your own rules as you go along.
Good luck with that when you're being judged . . .
As for yout idiotic remarks about the wording in the Douay-Rhiems Version - it's virtually the SAME as your fabled KJV:
John 3:5 (Douay)
Jesus answered: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be BORN AGAIN OF WATER and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 3:5 (KJV)
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.
only tangible means is the blood? Yes
But unless you were at the cross and the blood fell on you how do you receive it or it’s merits, you said by faith thru grace that’s true but it is applied to our souls in baptism
In baptism we are at the cross in his death
faith yes!
Grace yes! They the sacraments into the church
Jn 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
Acts 22:16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Rom 3:24
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Romans 6:3
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Acts 2:47
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
1 Corinthians 12:13
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.
Galatians 3:27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Ephesians 1:13
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, Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, Colossians 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.
The promise (sacred oath or sacrament) of the father acts 2:38-39 with reference to ez 36:25-27
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Ez 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Hebrews 8:6
But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. Based on Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
A promise is a sacred oath or sacrament!
Baptismal regeneration is the promise of the Father for union in the new covenant!
The church and the seven sacraments are necessary for salvation
Better covenant on better promises
baptism makes us united with Christ in his church