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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] |
Bible Question (short): jcsav, Why is order "water ... Spirit" |
Question (full): jcsav, Why is the order "water and the Spirit" ... Do you understand the Greek construct? The following is a repost of mine. Scripture ... Eze 36:25-27; Mat. 3:1-6; Jhn 3:5-8, 7:37-39; Rom 3:22, 26, 28, 4:5, 5:1; Gal 3:8, 24; Eph 5:26 ... What does "born of water" mean? There are five basic views ... it refers to 1. the ministry of John the Baptist. - Matthew 3:1-6 describes John's ministry, including people were being baptized 2. natural birth. - Verse 6 says first birth is the natural birth and the second birth is the spiritual birth 3. the Holy Spirit. - The Amplified does cross reference Ezekiel 36:25-27. John 7:37-39 seems to fit this view. 4. the Word of God. - Ephesians 5:6 is used to support this view 5. baptism as a requirement for salvation. - This is not in harmony with the rest of the Bible. We are justified by faith (Rom 3:22, 26, 28, 4:5, 5:1; Gal 3:8, 24). The Gospel is defined in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and baptism is not mentioned. It is not even in harmony with the immediate context. In verse 8 we see "born of the Spirit" , but there is no mention of water) is likened to the wind blowing. Clearly, being born of the Spirit and being born by the wind are not two different things. Then why think being "born of water" and being "born of the Spirit" are distinct? Based on the context, including that of the NT, water here symbolizes the life and purification ..."washing" ... that the Spirit brings. I have been told this religiously symbolic use of water was common in ancient Near Eastern thought, and Nicodemus would have known this.. I appreciate Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry (CARM) for their help. |