Subject: Entering Heaven |
Bible Note: Scripture ... John 3:5-8, Mark 16:16 ... rferg, greetings. In John 3:5 "water" is not referring to the not-yet-existent ritual of Christian baptism. The entire passage is the activity of the Holy Spirit in contrast to the flesh, it would be strange to shift to the ritual. In verse 8, "born of the Spirit" (no mention of water this time) is likened to the wind blowing. Is 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 different? In Mark 16:16 it does not say if we believe and are not baptized that we are condemned. It says if we do not believe we are condemned. Also, it does not say if you are baptized that you are saved. Mark and others presumed that all believers would be baptized. DO NOT read more into the text. Read my response to Christian tim. Searcher |