LoveofTruth
Christ builds His church from within us
John 6:6 clarifies that he is talking about two births of the flesh and of the spirit. So it would seem to be clearly not referring to water baptism in any way.nicodemus just asked Jesus about going into the mother’s womb and being born a second time. Jesus responded to this.Jesus says to Nicodemus in his dialogue about being born again from John 3 "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit."
What is "born of water"
The text seems to contrast the flesh and the spirit, natural birth and spirit birth and keeping with these contrasts water would represents the flesh or the natural (compare v5 with v6). Water is traditionally considered part of the birthing experience and this perspective lends itself to expressions like "water breaking". The "water" is amniotic fluid and the "breaking" is the amniotic sac rupturing but we still call it "water" and so did ancient cultures.
But when Jesus says "water" could he mean water baptism instead? He doesn't clarify and the word baptism is never used. Water baptism is still a part of a natural experience that anyone could do regardless of their belief. If Jesus means water baptism it could still represent the flesh side as it is something the flesh engages in and administers and it uses natural devices. Jesus may be saying it's not just baptism but it also needs to be of the Spirit so one can be born again.
But if it's water baptism is this an example of Jesus requiring it along with the spirit to be born again? or does the "water" represent only fleshly devices inherent in our humanity so long as we are born into this world and seek the spirit?
John 3:6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
John baptized with water (past tense) but he shall be baptized (future) with the Holy Ghost.
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