Born of Water and the Spirit

August 12, 2025

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

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Posted by Scott Colvin

Baptism and Faith

August 23, 2024

There is much confusion in the religious world about baptism.  This should not be the case.  The scriptures are very clear about the nature and purpose of baptism.  We only need to listen carefully to God and trust His word over our own preconceived ideas and systematic theologies. 

The word of God is clear that baptism is intimately tied to one’s salvation.  In Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost, when the people were pierced to the heart and asked, “What shall we do?” Peter replied, “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.  For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” (Acts 2:38-39 NASB95) What is the purpose of baptism?  It is for the forgiveness of sins.  Can anyone be saved before their sins are forgiven?  No, for our sins separate us from God.  The wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23)

Are there other passages that teach that baptism is for the forgiveness of sins?  There certainly are.  When Paul was converted, He was told by Ananias, “Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.” (Acts 22:16 NASB95) In this statement we see once again the connection between baptism and cleansing from sin, and there is no salvation without that cleansing.  Jesus also connected baptism with salvation before He ascended back to the Father when He said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.  He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.” (Mark 16:15-16 NASB95) It is clear; the one who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved! There are multiple passages which plainly state the same thing.  Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins and is therefore a necessary part of our salvation. 

So, why all the confusion?  Why all of the confident assertions—despite the plain witness of scripture—that baptism has nothing to do with salvation?  In my estimation it is because many have failed to realize that baptism is an act of faith and is not a work (in the sense of earning something from God).  Many reject the plain teaching of scripture about baptism because they believe that baptism is “a work” and salvation is by faith, not works.  It is true, we are saved by grace through faith, as a gift of God and not by works. (Ephesians 2:8-9) But baptism is an act of faith, not a work!  Just as repentance is an act of faith in response to the message preached, and just as confession of Christ as Lord is an act of faith in response to the message preached, so also baptism is an act of faith in response to the message preached.  It is nearly universally recognized that repentance and confession of Jesus as Lord are acts of faith necessary for salvation.  Baptism is no different.  It is a part of faith!  In fact, to separate baptism from faith—to make it simply an empty religious ritual—would render baptism meaningless and powerless.  We are saved by faith in the work of Christ.  Baptism is an expression of faith in His work and the moment in time at which God, in seeing our faith in Christ, grants us forgiveness and salvation! 

—Scott Colvin

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Posted by Scott Colvin

Sharing in the Resurrection of Jesus

April 2, 2024

The resurrection of Jesus Christ means everything to us as Christians.  Our faith is meaningless without it.  As Paul wrote, “… and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:17 NASB95) But Jesus has been raised from the dead, and He is alive forevermore!  And because of His resurrection, amazing things have happened—and will happen—to those who belong to Him.

Because Jesus was raised, you have been raised with Him.  When you were baptized into Christ, you died with Jesus, were buried with Him, and were raised up with Him (Romans 6:3-4).  At the moment of your baptism, through faith, you were made alive with Him!  As we read in Ephesians chapter two, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…” (Ephesians 2:4-6 NASB95) Not only were we raised with Jesus, but God seated us with Him in the heavenly places.  This is a current reality for those in Christ—a spiritual reality which must be understood through the eyes of faith.

Because Jesus was raised, we have been raised spiritually, and we will be raised bodily.  There is a glorious day coming when Jesus will return and resurrect our mortal bodies.  Our bodies will be raised in power and in glory (1 Corinthians 15:43).  They will be raised imperishable. (1 Corinthians 15:50).  They will be changed in the twinkling of an eye(1 Corinthians 15:52).  Our bodies will be transformed to be like His glorious body. (Philippians 3:21) “Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.” (John 5:28-29 NASB95)

May we praise God with all our hearts this day for the resurrection of Jesus Christ—a resurrection which He has graciously allowed us to participate in.    

—Scott Colvin

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Posted by Scott Colvin

A Nudge

August 23, 2022

I recently visited the congregation where I attended from infancy through college. It’s nostalgic going back. Of course, I hoped that maybe I would recognize or know someone from the past. I’ll confess that I don’t look like what I did in college, so recognition on their part was going to have to come my name not necessarily my face. And yes, there were people I remembered, and who remembered me.

After the service, the song leader came up and greeted me. I didn’t recognize his face, but once he said his name, I exclaimed, “You’re an important person in my life.” He smiled. He knew what I was talking about, so let me tell you the story.

I was fourteen years old, a church attender, a participant in the youth group activities, but not a baptized believer. I’ve mentioned in lessons that there were times I gripped hard the pew in front of me during the invitation. I was struggling. What was my problem? I was shy and nervous about getting in front of the group. When closing in on 39 years of preaching that may sound odd, but this was my 14-year-old self.

My important Sunday was the beginning of a gospel meeting. I went home for lunch with a friend. We went back to the church building and joined a group doing a nursing home sing. After the singing, the youth who had gone were sitting around hanging out. While I was sitting there in the auditorium with my friend talking, my “important person” came up and sat beside me. He was several years older. I don’t know exactly what he said, but the gist was, “Do you want to be baptized?” I said yes and confessed my fears.

My “important person” stayed with us. When worship started, he seated my friend and I on the second pew and sat with us. It’s not a long walk from the second pew. I now had this support that helped me go forward. And of course, once I was there none of my fears were real.

After I was baptized, I was warmly greeted. But I remember one voice saying, “I thought he already was a Christian.”  My “important person” knew my true spiritual condition, and he was willing to address it.

Would I have become a Christian without this incident? I don’t know. Fortunately, I was wise enough not to turn down help the first time it came my way. Putting off responding has risks. Hearts can cool, and sin can deceive.

In writing about this “important person” who gave me a nudge, I want to encourage you to look around for people in your own life who need a nudge. Many spiritual encounters are not about a long, prepared lesson. It is about saying something meaningful that helps to move someone a step closer to God. It was life changing for me, so I’m thankful for my “important person” who gave me a nudge.

—Russ Holden

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Posted by Russell Holden