NICODEMUS WAS CONFUSED by steve finnell
John 3:5 Jesus answered. "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (NKJV)
Those who deny that Jesus was talking about water baptism present two conflicting possibilities. 1. That Jesus was referring to amniotic when He mentioned water. and 2. That Jesus was saying that water was referring to the Holy Spirit.
1.Did Jesus really mean that a qualification to enter the kingdom of God was you must be born of amniotic fluid?
2. To say that water is synonymous with the Holy Spirit, then John 3:5 would be translated as such. Unless one is born of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God. There is no Bible translation that translates it that way.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (NKJV)
Jesus said you must be born again. Being born of amniotic fluid is being born the first time. It is not being born again. Natural childbirth is not a requirement to enter the kingdom of God.
When Jesus said you must be born of water He clearly meant water baptism.
When Jesus said you must be born of Spirit He certainly meant the Holy Spirit.
Nicodemus was confused about being born again, he was not confused about being born the first time.
Being born of water is a requirement to enter the kingdom of God. That is an undeniable fact.
Being born of water is a requirement to enter the kingdom of God. That is an undeniable fact.
'And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'(Acts ch. 2 v. 38)
ReplyDeleteThis verse quite clearly states what man has to do, as in repent, (which a new born baby who is 'christened' can not do, as there is nothing it can repent of), and be baptized (which means to be fully immersed.) in water.
Once we have done our part, then we receive the 'gift', not something we have earned, of the Holy Spirit.
Why not quote the next verse? Jn. 3:6: "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." Water = flesh. Spirit = spirit. Clearly one must first be naturally born in order to be born again!
ReplyDeleteThere is a difference with being 'baptized' and being 'born'.
ReplyDelete