I didn’t realize that I didn’t have an article on John 3:5. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!

I’ll go ahead and deal with it briefly here. I am not anti-baptism. I don’t have a major problem with the view that “born again of the water” refers to baptism. However, I find it unlikely, as do many minds far greater than mine. For one, baptism is equated with death, not birth (Romans 6). We’re buried with Christ in baptism, not born. So I don’t find it likely that “born again of the water” refers to baptism, but I don’t have a problem with the view either. We’re commanded to be baptized, and it’s not like I’m trying to talk people out of it! If anything, I think the Western church needs to take baptism more seriously.

Finally, Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary lists six different ways that John 3:5 has been interpreted. Here is what they are:

“1. water baptism. But the NT teaches that one is born again at the
point of faith, not baptism (Acts 10:43–47);
2. a synonym for the Holy Spirit. The phrase could be translated “born
of water, even the spirit”;
3. a symbol of the Word of God (Eph. 5:26; 1 Pet. 1:23);
4. physical birth;
5. John’s baptism; or
6. a symbol, along with wind, in OT imagery for the work of God from above” (Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson’s new
illustrated Bible commentary (Jn 3:5). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.)

The MacArthur Study Bible also interprets it as a symbol, and they use the following Scriptures for support: Ezek. 36:24–27; Num.
19:17–19; Ps. 51:9, 10; Is. 32:15; 44:3–5; 55:1–3; Jer. 2:13; Joel 2:28, 29) (MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Jn 3:5). Nashville: Word Pub.)

I tend to agree with that view, although I admit there is room for ambiguity!

I hope that helps.

In Christ,
Josh S.

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” Jesus states here that unless we are born again of the water and spirit we will NOT enter the kingdom of God.

I have never claimed that the Holy Spirit is not necessary for salvation. The Holy Spirit is God so it’s obvious that He is necessary for salvation! However, the Bible makes it clear that we receive the Holy Spirit upon belief:

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” — Eph. 1:13-14

On the other hand, water baptism is a response to salvation, not a cause of salvation. Jesus commanded us to be baptized, so if a person refuses then I doubt the sincerity of their belief. Baptism should certainly follow belief/salvation (medical conditions and other special circumstances may not make it possible, of course), but that does not mean that baptism causes salvation.

Regarding John 3:5, it is almost certainly not referring to water baptism. For one, baptism is an identification with Christ’s death, not with spiritual or even physical birth (Rom. 6:3-7). As a matter of fact, Christ could have had the human birth in mind when He spoke of being born of water. There are other possibilities as well…I don’t have my commentaries handy right now, but there are plenty available for free on the Internet if you browse around. John MacArthur has an excellent summary of the various views, if I recall, and there are many others as well.

In Christ,
- Josh S.

“The point is that it was not baptism who saved the new believers, it was their belief. (More properly, it was God’s grace working through their belief). Their baptism was a response to their salvation, not the cause of their salvation”

But in John 3:5:

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

I’ve read other articles here, so I know you do not believe in isolating a single scripture, and that the scriptures work in concert. In John 3:5, Jesus told Nicodemus that being born again of the water (baptism) and being born again of the Spirit (Holy Spirit infilling) are necessary to enter the kingdom of God. So while Peter may not have specifically stated that baptism and Holy Spirit infilling where necessary for salvation, John 3:5 does say this.

I agree 100% that belief was the necessary 1st step, but baptism and Holy Spirit infilling are necessary also, not optional if one’s goal is heaven.

- Josh S.

I kinds was seeing that, in the same way… but I was hesitating a little bit to really take it in to understand.

Thank you again for your response

God Bless,

Carlos

Acts 1:5 is contrasting John’s baptism, which is a baptism of repentance (Acts 19:4), with Spirit baptism. It has nothing to do with how or when Spirit baptism given, or with what belief accomplishes in a person’s life.

In Christ,
- Josh S.

But first I want to say, In all this small discussion about salvation and the neccessity of baptism or on just believing one can be saved. I believe in both just as Josh said (“Dealing with a person who has no prior knowledge of Christianity is very different than dealing with a person who has prior knowledge of Jesus and the Christian faith.”) So you have to see where the person is coming from…

So here is my question where the disciples baptized in Jesus Name? Obviously, the Apostles received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, but was that considered their Confirmation of baptiism?

Acts 1:5 (New King James Version)
5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Does this shows us that by believing, one can be saved…

God Bless,

Carlos

- Josh S.