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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: does one need to be baptised to be saved |
Bible Answer: Hi there, Toeknee. I am sure this has been a much debated topic on this forum. I will endeavor to give the historic orthodox Reformed position on this verse for you. This position has been maintained my the majority of Protestant Christendom for some 500 years. The word "water" in this passage does not mean baptismal water nor does it mean, as some have mistakenly suggested, the water of physical birth (i.e., amniotic fluid). Water baptism is never expressed by the word water alone, but always with other words to help us understand that it is the ordinance of baptism that is being discussed. Water baptism has no power of regeneration. A person can be baptized and yet not be born again (for example Simon Magus Acts 8:13). In my own tradition, this is affirmed so strongly that a person must show evidences of being born again before being admitted into the ordinance of baptism (the theological term for this is credo-baptism). However, most other protestant traditions agree though they practice paedobaptism, that baptism is an external sign, rather than having some redeeming power in itself. The word "water" here is meant in a metaphorical sense. It is the grace of God as indicated in other scriptures (for example Ezekiel 36:25). The grace of God is actually the originating cause of this new birth. By means of grace we are made new creatures. The figurative power of the word water in the context of this conversation is particularly piquant because Nicodemus (Nicodemon ben Gorion) was probably one who was responsible for the provision of water in the temple for the Jewish feasts (Mark 7:8). Christ, always the best of teachers, frequently alluded to things surrounding or associated with his hearers. This is a powerful teaching method for implanting ideas. (Note that regenerating power is attributed in some places in scripture to God (1 Peter 1:3), to the Son of God (1 John 2:29), or to the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).) Now, returning to the exegete of this verse: Christ is stating that unless this regenerating grace takes place in a person, he will never understand nor partake in the things of the Kingdom of God. Such a person will not have passed from death to life. Without this work of God, a person cannot see God (Hebrews 12:4) nor enter into fellowship with Him. |