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NASB | John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 3:5 Jesus answered, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God. [Ezek 36:25-27] |
Subject: Verses where water alone means baptism? |
Bible Note: Welcome back, Emmaus! You asked, "why didn't Jesus just clarify the matter if they were misunderstanding?" I often hear the world declare Christ declared as a great teacher, and so He was. However, Christ was not educating the masses -- especially the ones who wanted Him to be King so that they could have a life of liesure, like those in John 6. Christ was teaching His sheep, not the world. In fact, the disciples once asked Him why He didn't speak more plainly. Christ answered by saying He taught that way intentionally so that the world would *not* understand! (Matthew 13:10-17) I have said it before... and I'll say it again, no doubt... there is nothing "mere" about symbols. God takes His symbols very seriously. I don't know how to communicate this to a Romanist -- and I do not mean this in a critical manner -- but you lot are so steeped in symbols, that making this statement cannot carry the weight for you that it does for us. I will consider this carefully to see if I can find a way to communicate it to you with greater clarity. In the mean time, each time you say "mere symbol" you reveal that you have missed the point we are seeking to make. We don't need to agree with one another -- but at least we should be clear about what we do not agree about! In Him, Doc |