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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:
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." (NASB) Concerning the above verse, I have heard various thoughts about what the term "born of water" means Some think the "water" refers to water baptism Others think the "water" refers to our physical birth - the watery womb of our mother from which we were born of earthly parentage. Others think "water" refers to the word of God as the washing element. So what are the thoughts of this community concerning the meaning of "water" in John 3:5? The more responses the better Could you also please provide an answer as to why you believe as you do about this? |
Bible Answer: I believe the water is Jesus himself. I say this because of the story of the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4. Jesus said He would give water that "will become a well of water springing up to eternal life." What water has been given that wells up into eternal life? Jesus himself, for how else is salvation attained but through the death, burial, and ressurection of Christ? "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me" (NIV). It is only through Jesus that we can be born again. It is his sacrifice that cleanses us and justifies us before the Father. I believe the "born of Spirit" is the rebirth of our spirit at the moment we truly believe in Jesus and what he did for us. 2 Cor 5:17 says that "anyone who is in Christ is a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come" (NIV). Obviously our physical bodies don't become new, so it must mean the rebirth of our spirit, which is new because we are now filled by the Holy Spirit. Of course, Jesus is also referred to as the Word in John 1:1. Either way, the only way is through Jesus, whatever analogies may be used. |