What does "“quicken" mean? And what gives life, Spirit or water?

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words: QUICKEN [ G2227, zoopoieo ] to make alive:" See LIFE, C.

[ G4806,suzoopoieo / sunzoopoieo ] "to quicken together with, make alive with" (sun, "with" and No. 1), is used in Ephesians 2:5; Colossians 2:13, of the spiritual life with Christ, imparted to believers at their conversion.

THE SPIRIT QUICKENS — THE SPIRIT GIVES LIFE

When Christ performs the New Testament baptism with the Holy Spirit, it is a spiritual circumcision, done without hands & without water.

Matt 3:11 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:
(NOTE: John clearly distinguishes his water baptism from Christ's Holy Spirit baptism. Also see Lk 3:16)

Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

1 Cor 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.
(NOTE: Translators capitalized "Spirit" to indicate the Holy Spirit. Only Christ baptizes with/in/by the Holy Spirit.)

Jn 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
(NOTE: Spiritual life "being born again" is produced by Christ's Holy Spirit baptism, not by any physical act.)

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:
(NOTE: The OT covenant of circumcision in Gen 17 was a PHYSICIAL, flesh‑cutting ritual done by human hands. The "circumcision of Christ," done "without hands", is the inward, spiritual work of the Holy Spirit & not the physical ritual of water baptism.)

Deut 30:6 (A) the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart

Rom 10:17 FAITH come's by HEARING the word of God.

Acts 10:44 They were QUICKENED/made spiritually alive, by HEARING & BELEVING.

Acts 10:47 They HAD already received the Spirit by FAITH. They were QUICKENED/made spiritually alive before water baptism.

Acts 1:15 The 1st 120 at Pentecost were baptized in/with/by Christ' Holy Spirit > QUICKENED/made spiritually alive all without water (Acts 2:4). They were eternally sealed before any water ritual

Jesus' Holy Spirit baptism Forever (Jn 14:16) Seals (Eph 1:13-14, 4:30, 2 Cor 1:22, 5:5, 2 Tim 1:14) the believer is received by Faith (Rom 5:1-2)

Eph 1:
13 In Him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, and [as a result] believed in Him, were stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit [the One promised by Christ] as owned and protected [by God].

14 The Spirit is the guarantee [the first installment, the pledge, a foretaste] of our inheritance until the redemption of God’s own [purchased] possession [His believers], to the praise of His glory.

Finally:
Water baptism a commandment given by Jesus, Peter & others.

Water baptism as an act of obedience, a public identification with Jesus death & resurrection & a doorway to discipleship. Every believer should partake.

Jesus also commanded partaking in communion. These actions are commanded, every believer should partake as an act of discipleship, obedience & remembrance.

Neither action is the doorway leading to eternal salvation. These events follow Jesus' Holy Spirit baptism-salvations eternal seal, performed by Christ alone.

See Matt 3:11, Lk 3:16, Mk 1:8, Jn 1:33, Acts 1:4-5, 2:38, 10:45, 11:16)

privatepop said:

Water baptism was a SIGN pointing having one's sins washed away even as circumcision pointed to having one's sins cut off by the shedding of blood. Water in the Bible can point to the gospel of salvation or of judgment. It is through the fires of hell, death, that Christ washed away our sins if he saved us.

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The OP included Vine's NT of words dictionary defined Quicken

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words: QUICKEN [ G2227, zoopoieo ] to make alive:" See LIFE, C.

[ G4806,suzoopoieo / sunzoopoieo ] "to quicken together with, make alive with" (sun, "with" and No. 1), is used in Ephesians 2:5; Colossians 2:13, of the spiritual life with Christ, imparted to believers at their conversion.

(NOTE: Quicken together with, make alive spiritually with Christ' Spirit, given to believers at their conversion. Eph 2:5 & Col 2:13.

Christ Himself quickens/indwells the believer with/by/in the Holy Spirit at conversion.

You said, water baptism was a SIGN pointing to having one's sins washed away. Scripture tell a different story.

John the Baptist said:
I baptize with water & that the & Lamb of God (Jn 1:29) that comes after me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit(Matt 3:11, Mk 1:8, Lk).

When Christ preforms the New Testament Holy Spirit baptism it's a spiritual/circumcision & it's done without hands

Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

1 Cor 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.
(NOTE: Translators capitalized Spirit to identify when referring the Holy Spirit. Only Christ baptizes with/in/by the Holy Spirit. NO H2O used)

Jn 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
(NOTE: It's the baptism of Jesus Holy Spirit that gives born again spiritual life. Not any physical act one does)

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""""":
(NOTE: The Old Testament covenant of circumcision in Gen 17 was a PHYSICIAL, flesh‑cutting ritual performed by human hands. The circumcision of Christ, "made without hands." is the inward, SPIRITUAL work of the Holy Spirit & not the physical ritual of water baptism.

Deut 30:6 (A) the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart

Rom 10:17 FAITH come's by HEARING the word of God.

Acts 10:44 Say's as Peter preach the gospel the Holy Spirit fell on ALL that HEARD.

Acts 10:47 Peter say's can anyone forbid these gentiles who "HAVE" received the Holy Spirit. They "HAD" received the Holy Spirit BY FAITH, before Peter instructed water baptism.

Acts 2:1-4, 120 received Christ' salvation sealing baptism, before partaking in any water rituals.

Eph 1:
13 In Him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, and [as a result] believed in Him, were stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit [the One promised by Christ] as owned and protected [by God].
(NOTE: They HEARD, they BELIEVED in Him & were FOREVER (Jn 14:16) SEALED/BAPTIZED (Eph 1:13-14, 4:30, 2 Cor 1:22, 5:5, 2 Tim 1:14) with Christ's Holy Spirit & no H2O needed)

Finally:
Water baptism a commandment given by Jesus, Peter & others.

Water baptism as an act of obedience, a public identification with Jesus death & resurrection & a doorway to discipleship. Every believer should partake.

Jesus also commanded partaking in communion. These actions are commanded, every believer should partake as an act of discipleship, obedience & remembrance.

Neither action is the doorway leading to eternal salvation. These events follow Jesus' Holy Spirit baptism-salvations eternal seal, performed by Christ alone.