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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:
Many people use this verse to substantiate water baptism along with Titus 3:5 "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit," Although I am all for water baptism, I just don't see any connection between this verse and baptism. Am I missing something, or am I likely correct? To discuss it from another angle, I believe regeneration and baptism are two totally different topics. Seems people who use John 3:5 to validate baptism mix the two terms. Huron |
Bible Answer: Dear Huron, You are correct, John 3:5 has nothing to do with water baptisim. The subject of the dicussion between Jesus and Nicodemus is birth, not baptism (or works). And the explanation of John 3:5 is in John 3:6, first birth is of the flesh (water, thus the term "my water broke") and the second birth (spirit) is of the Spirit. This is a prime example of taking things "out of context". Nicodemus sets up the dialog by asking, John3:4 "... can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" And staying with that subject, fleshly birth or mother's womb, Jesus responds with ""Except a man be born of water"...(that fleshly first birth from the womb)". No water baptism is implied but there is a renewal or a regeneration involved by the Spirit. Peace terrib |