Not true. Nicodemous starting the argument, Jesus was just answering his question, "Must I return to my mothers womb?" He was explaining what he meant.
lets look at the scene as it unfolds:
John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
John 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man
be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Here, Nicodemus did not know what was 'Born again", he likened it unto entering the second time into his mother's womb. lets continue...
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.
Notice here that Jesus says "Water" and "Spirit" - emphasize the word "
and".
Peter later gave that same formula...
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Also. In Context. Ye must be born AGAIN.
That which is flesh (physical birth, or born of water) is flesh. (first birth) But that which is spirit is spirit. Born spiritually (2nd birth)
We can see the redundancy of such a scenario to whom was the religious leader of that day. Clearly scripture supports beyond a shadow of doubt that water = water baptism.
Baptize is a verb. The baptize is the action. Death is the object of what the verb is.
Why would Paul said we must be baptised in water (your interpretation) in his death. You do not put two subjects in a sentence.
Just because the word is used, and MOST people associate it with water. does not mean it is always water. Paul told us what we were baptised into. It was his death. NOT WATER. And God is the one who baptises us into this death and burial.
Why do people want to give man credit for the work of God?? In fact, it is dangerous. The pharisees tried to give credit to satan for the work of the HS in the miracles jesus did. Jesus called it blasphemy of the spirit and said it would not be forgiven.
Give credit to God.
When a pregnant women is in the hospital room giving birth, and the baby comes forth, that room is filled with sound, and movement, and life. The baby is moving and crying, life was brought forth. That is the Physical Birth.
Likewise, since the day of Pentecost, when we are born of the spirit, we are filled and speak in tongues and prophesy, whereby we are crying "Abba Father". That is born again, born of the spirit. When we are born of the spirit the Bible way, there is movement and sound and life...
Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
[2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
[3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
[4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
[13]
Others mocking said, These men
are full of new wine.
[14] But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
[15] For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
[16] But
this is that which was
spoken by the prophet Joel;
[17] And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
[18] And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
[39] For the
promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
When a baby is born according to the flesh, there is movement and sound and life.
Likewise, when a baby is born of the spirit, there is movement and sound and life!