This has been debated and handled by biblical scholars for years now, and only a few still stand with the born again by water and spirit as the water part being natural birth.
A lot have gone away from that philosophy because Jesus tells Nicodemus about the born again saying you are a teacher of the law and do not understand.
John 3:10
Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?
So by this we can see that the water is not being naturally born, and by what Paul showed we are buried and reborn through water and the spirit of baptism.
Romans 6:3 Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
All denominations can be divided into two camps on this issue. Of course the ones that teach baptism in water is essential will not consider that. The ones that preach and teach a rebirthed heart hold to the classic belief.
The Eunuch heard the gospel from Philip, then believed, confessing Jesus biblically. He was saved at that moment. He then desired to be water baptized. That baptism didn't save him. His confession did.
Acts 8:37 (KJV)
[SUP]37 [/SUP] And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Confession = salvation....
Matthew 10:32-33 (KJV)
[SUP]32 [/SUP] Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
[SUP]33 [/SUP] But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Confession = salvation....
John 20:31 (KJV)
[SUP]31 [/SUP] But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Confession = salvation
1 John 4:15 (KJV)
[SUP]15 [/SUP] Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
No mention of water baptism being required for that benefit. Water baptism is a symbol of what
has already happened in one's heart. Possibly millions are water baptized, but are lost, not confessing from the heart.
Paul avoided baptizing in water because it carries a religious form with the danger a person can say they were baptized in the preacher's name. He was not called to baptize, but to preach the gospel, which he learned from no man, but from the Holy Spirit for 3 years. He was beneficiary of
John 14:26 (KJV)
[SUP]26 [/SUP] But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
[HR][/HR]
1 John 2:27 (KJV)
[SUP]27 [/SUP] But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
What might the Holy Spirit have taught Paul?
John 21:25 (KJV)
[SUP]25 [/SUP] And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
Jesus did say and do it all. It was too much to write down. He sent the Holy Spirit in His place to bring it all back to believers.
Given that Paul did indeed receive all the Lord wanted him to have, and it is all of God, then Paul was not "commissioned" to baptize in water since his gospel message avoided that. Paul instead ministered the Spirit baptism by laying on of hands.
Peter was not "commissioned" to water baptise, but was given the Great Commission to preach the gospel. No disciple of Jesus was focused on water baptism, though most would not forbid it. It ought not be forbidden, just like speaking in unknown tongues upon being filled with the Spirit ought not be forbidden. Neither of those casue salvation, but are signs of two parts of salvation. One is a sign of being baptized in Christ, the other a sign of being baptized in the Holy Spirit.