Jn 3:5 water means literal water.....born of water being water baptism.
Jn 3:5-----------------spirit+++++++++++++water>>>>>>>>in the kingdom
1Cor12:13-------------spirit+++++++++++++baptized>>>>>>in the body
With both verses having the same meaning, then 'born of water" of Jn 3:5 is equivalent to "baptized" of 1 Cor 12:13.
So "born of water" in Jn 3:5 has nothing to do with the natural birth no more than "baptized " of 1 Cor 12:13 has to do with the natural birth.
Acts 2:38 tells me water baptism is for the remission of sins/salvation not "...a symbol of leaving our earthly life behind..."
Rev 1:5 John said Christ washed us from our sins in His own blood
Jn 19:34 Christ shed His blood in His death.
Rom 6:3-6 one is water baptized into the death of Christ where His shed blood washes away sins
So water baptism saves because it is the point where Christ's blood washes away sins. 'Belief only' does not get one into the death of Christ.
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You post: Should we be baptized? Yes
If water baptism is not necessary to being saved, then why should one be baptized?
Jn 3:5-----------------spirit+++++++++++++water>>>>>>>>in the kingdom
1Cor12:13-------------spirit+++++++++++++baptized>>>>>>in the body
With both verses having the same meaning, then 'born of water" of Jn 3:5 is equivalent to "baptized" of 1 Cor 12:13.
So "born of water" in Jn 3:5 has nothing to do with the natural birth no more than "baptized " of 1 Cor 12:13 has to do with the natural birth.
Acts 2:38 tells me water baptism is for the remission of sins/salvation not "...a symbol of leaving our earthly life behind..."
Rev 1:5 John said Christ washed us from our sins in His own blood
Jn 19:34 Christ shed His blood in His death.
Rom 6:3-6 one is water baptized into the death of Christ where His shed blood washes away sins
So water baptism saves because it is the point where Christ's blood washes away sins. 'Belief only' does not get one into the death of Christ.
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You post: Should we be baptized? Yes
If water baptism is not necessary to being saved, then why should one be baptized?
1 John 3:10
English Standard Version
By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.