What Does "Born of Water" Mean?

[Lamar]

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever "believes" in him shall not perish but have eternal life.


This was like the first bible verse I learned. They said, just believe this in your heart and you will be saved.

But where does the Bible say this???

You said it was the first verse you learned, so where does it say "just believe"?

 

[jacko]

But where does the Bible say this???

You said it was the first verse you learned, so where does it say "just believe"?

So what does that sentence mean to you? Either is the truth or its not,

Let's use King James

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

[JohnRH]

Where in the Bible is physical human vaginal emergence referred to as "born of water"???

Jesus is not referring to amniotic fluid.

When a woman "breaks her water" that fluid is not water... I promise you it is not water.

Jesus did not say "born of woman" (childbirth). Matthew 11:11, Job 14:1-2, Galatians 4:4-5 etc.

Jesus said water..... not amniotic fluid!!!

Let the Word of God mean what it states and ignore your theological sensibilities.

Amniotic fluid is composed of approximately 98% water.

 

[Magenta]

yaay! But my daughter didn't want to get in the water because it was cold. =(
Our family will be formally baptized at Church I hope in November.

My 20 year anniversary is in November also. I was baptized at the end of an Alpha Course...

I did not realize what I was getting into haha but I came out fully convinced of the truth of God's
revealed written Word and happy knowing my opposition to God had finally been laid to waste.

 

[Magenta]

So what does that sentence mean to you? Either is the truth or its not,

Let's use King James

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

 

[jacko]

My dad was baptized as a young child, my grandma was catholic but my dad hasn't gone to mass in decades.
If I pour some water on his head (baptize by water) and ask him to pray the sinners prayer will he go to heaven? He's 84

 

[Lamar]

Amniotic fluid is composed of approximately 98% water.

Amniotic fluid is composed of approximately 98% water.

Okay...would you drink it. Be honest, people are watching.

By the way so is urine.

Amniotic fluid is not water except for those who need it to be.

 

[Lamar]

So what does that sentence mean to you? Either is the truth or its not,

Let's use King James

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

It means what it says but you seem to think it is written in the definitive, which it is clearly not. I know this is your reasoning because you are attempting to add an absolute (only, just or alone) into the scripture which is not there.

Would you allow someone to add a definitive into other verses in order to change its meaning???

Would it be acceptable to add "only" to James 1:27?

John 3:16 is clearly written in the general. If it was not for your theology you would have no problem seeing this.

 

[jacko]

It means what it says but you seem to think it is written in the definitive, which it is clearly not. I know this is your reasoning because you are attempting to add an absolute (only, just or alone) into the scripture which is not there.

Would you allow someone to add a definitive into other verses in order to change its meaning???

Would it be acceptable to add "only" to James 1:27?

John 3:16 is clearly written in the general. If it was not for your theology you would have no problem seeing this.

Here is what chatgpt says:

The question of whether Christians need to be baptized by water to be "born again" and saved has been debated across various Christian traditions, and the answer often depends on doctrinal beliefs. Here's a breakdown of key perspectives:

1. Evangelical/Protestant Belief (Many Baptists, Pentecostals, etc.):
   • Many evangelical Christians believe that salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ alone, and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). They emphasize that being "born again" refers to a spiritual rebirth that happens when a person repents of their sins and places their trust in Jesus.
   • Water baptism is viewed as an important public declaration of faith, but it is not considered necessary for salvation. Rather, it is an outward sign of an inward change.
   • Key scripture: John 3:16 (salvation through faith), Romans 10:9-10 (confession and belief in Christ bring salvation).
2. Catholic and Orthodox View:
   • Both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions hold that baptism is necessary for salvation. They interpret being "born of water and the Spirit" in John 3:5 as a reference to water baptism as the means through which one is spiritually reborn and cleansed from original sin.
   • Baptism is considered a sacrament, and in Catholic doctrine, it is the first step in the process of salvation, removing both original and personal sin.
   • Key scripture: John 3:5 (Jesus’ teaching on being "born of water and the Spirit").
3. Church of Christ and Some Other Denominations:
   • Some Christian groups, like the Churches of Christ, teach that water baptism is essential for salvation. They interpret scriptures like Acts 2:38 ("Repent and be baptized... for the forgiveness of your sins") to mean that baptism is part of the salvation process.
   • For these groups, faith, repentance, and baptism are all necessary for a person to be saved.

In summary, while water baptism is universally seen as important, its role in salvation differs across Christian traditions. Some believe it is essential for being "born again," while others view it as an important, but not required, step in demonstrating one’s faith.

 

[Lamar]

Here is what chatgpt says:

I answered your question but ignored mine.

This is bad form.

If your have no intention of answering back just don't respond.

 

[mailmandan]

In regard to the word "water" in John 3:5, there are those who would argue that the natural sense of the passage parallels water with being born out of a mother’s womb and with flesh based on the answer of Nicodemus to Jesus. Simply stated in that case, two births are necessary. The first is a physical, literal, "flesh" birth (accompanied by amniotic "water") and the second is Spirit.

There are also those who would argue that Jesus mentions "living water" in John 4:10, 14; 7:37-39 and in John 7:38-39, we read - "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the source of living water and spiritual cleansing.

If "water" is defined as baptism, then we could just as justifiably say, "Out of his heart will flow rivers of living baptism" in John 7:38. If this sounds ridiculous, it is no more so than the idea that water baptism is the source or the means of becoming born again. So to automatically read "baptism" into John 3:5 simply because it mentions "water" is unwarranted.

Yet there are still others who would argue that "water" is used in the Bible as an emblem of the word of God, and in such uses it is associated with cleansing or washing. (John 15:3; Ephesians 5:26) When we are born again, the Holy Spirit begets new life and we are said to become "partakers of the divine nature." (2 Peter 1:4) The new birth is brought to pass through "incorruptible seed, by the Word of God, which lives and abides forever" (I Peter 1:23) and the Holy Spirit accomplishes the washing of regeneration. (Titus 3:5)

 

[Magenta]

Jesus' words from John 7:37-38 and John 4:14

 

[Lamar]

In regard to the word "water" in John 3:5, there are those who would argue that the natural sense of the passage parallels water with being born out of a mother’s womb and with flesh based on the answer of Nicodemus to Jesus. Simply stated in that case, two births are necessary. The first is a physical, literal, "flesh" birth (accompanied by amniotic "water") and the second is Spirit.

There are also those who would argue that Jesus mentions "living water" in John 4:10, 14; 7:37-39 and in John 7:38-39, we read - "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the source of living water and spiritual cleansing.

If "water" is defined as baptism, then we could just as justifiably say, "Out of his heart will flow rivers of living baptism" in John 7:38. If this sounds ridiculous, it is no more so than the idea that water baptism is the source or the means of becoming born again. So to automatically read "baptism" into John 3:5 simply because it mentions "water" is unwarranted.

Yet there are still others who would argue that "water" is used in the Bible as an emblem of the word of God, and in such uses it is associated with cleansing or washing. (John 15:3; Ephesians 5:26) When we are born again, the Holy Spirit begets new life and we are said to become "partakers of the divine nature." (2 Peter 1:4) The new birth is brought to pass through "incorruptible seed, by the Word of God, which lives and abides forever" (I Peter 1:23) and the Holy Spirit accomplishes the washing of regeneration. (Titus 3:5)

Is it your understanding that Jesus is using the word "water" in a metaphoric manner and is not speaking of physical liquid water?

Yes or No?

 

[mailmandan]

Amen! The washing of regeneration of the Holy Spirit says it all. Jesus baptizes with the Spirit (and there is only one baptism).

Titus 3:4-5

Ephesians 4:5-6

There is only one baptism that places us into the body of Christ and that is SPIRIT baptism, not water baptism.

Ephesians 4:5 - one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

1 Corinthians 12:13 - For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

 

[mailmandan]

Is it your understanding that Jesus is using the word "water" in a metaphoric manner and is not speaking of physical liquid water?

Yes or No?

Yes. Physical H20 is not the only water mentioned in scripture as I explained in post #71.

 

[Lamar]

Physical H20 is not the only water mentioned in scripture as I explained in post #71.

Agreed but water is also mentioned in its literal form. Is it not?

 

[mailmandan]

Agreed but water is also mentioned in its literal form. Is it not?

Yes, it is.

 

[glf]

Amen! The washing of regeneration of the Holy Spirit says it all. Jesus baptizes with the Spirit (and there is only one baptism).

Titus 3:4-5

Ephesians 4:5-6

The one baptism spoken of by the Lord in Ephesians is an interesting statement, when considering the principals of the doctrines of Christ listed in Heb 6: 1-3: "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment." (the doctrine of baptisms). Looking at these principals, the first two: repentance from dead works and faith towards God seem to be directed toward the individual believer, while the doctrine of baptisms and laying on of hands can be taken as church body ministry, and the last two are the Church's burden for the lost.
The proselyte to Judaism was immersed in water, the baptism of John was a baptism of repentance, water baptism is a public proclamation to others of a person's true baptism. which is revealed in 1 Cor 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. This baptism's glory exceeds the glory of the other baptisms much like the glory of the law, had no glory when compared to the excellent glory of the New Testament. Which is expressed in 2 Cor 3: 7-11: But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

 

[JBTN]

Where in the Bible is physical human vaginal emergence referred to as "born of water"???

Jesus is not referring to amniotic fluid.

When a woman "breaks her water" that fluid is not water... I promise you it is not water.

Jesus did not say "born of woman" (childbirth). Matthew 11:11, Job 14:1-2, Galatians 4:4-5 etc.

Jesus said water..... not amniotic fluid!!!

Let the Word of God mean what it states and ignore your theological sensibilities.

Song of Solomon 4 refers to a spouse as a well of living water.

“You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your oils than any spice! Your lips drip nectar, my bride; honey and milk are under your tongue; the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon. A garden locked is my sister, my bride, a spring locked, a fountain sealed. Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates with all choicest fruits, henna with nard, nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all choice spices— a garden fountain, a well of living water, and flowing streams from Lebanon.”
‭‭Song of Solomon‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬-‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/sng.4.9-15.ESV

 

[JBTN]

But where does the Bible say this???

You said it was the first verse you learned, so where does it say "just believe"?

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.5.1.ESV

When someone believes that Jesus is the Christ they have already been born again according to this verse.