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In John chapter 3, Jesus said to Nicodemus, “…Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5 NASB95) What does it mean to be born of water and the Spirit?

First, let us notice the absolute need to be born again—from above.  No one will be able to enter God’s kingdom without this radical change, this complete transformation from above.  But how can a person be born again?  That was exactly the question that Nicodemus asked.  Jesus’ answer: One is born again of water and the Spirit.  But what does that mean?

To understand Jesus’ words, we need to consider the historical context.  What would have come to Nicodemus’ mind when he heard “water and the Spirit”?  At that time, John the Baptist was going around the region baptizing multitudes of people in water—an event that would have been the talk of all of Israel.  Jesus Himself was baptized by John.  When He came up out of the water, the heavens were torn open, and the Spirit of God came down upon Jesus as God announced to all that Jesus is His beloved Son.  These things created quite a stir among the religious leaders and all of the people.  Water and Spirit would have been on the minds of everyone, including Nicodemus.

Furthermore, we have other scriptures that show us what being born of water and the Spirit means.  Water and Spirit show up together in other passages.  For example, think of Acts 2:38, which says, “Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 2:38 NASB95) Baptism and the Spirit appear together here. Or how about Paul’s words to Titus: “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,” (Titus 3:5 NASB95) Here we have washing and the Holy Spirit appearing together.  Or what about these words, where the Spirit and baptism occur together again: “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13 NASB95)

So, what do we learn?  One is born again of water and the Spirit when they are baptized into Christ.  That is the time at which the new birth happens, by the power and working of God.  We come up out of the water as a new person, born again from above.  Fundamentally changed by God.  Of course, all of this is made possible by Jesus, the One who was lifted up on the cross for all to look to in faith for salvation.  Baptism is an expression of that faith in Jesus, and the time at which, by God’s grace, we are made new by the Holy Spirit.  Have you been born again?  If so, are you still walking in the new life God has granted you?   

—Scott Colvin