What does being born by water mean when Jesus speaks to Nicodemus about being born of flesh and then of spirit?
Think of the scenario . John the Baptist had been preaching and baptizing the people for remission of sins in water . This was a major deal in the region because everyone was waiting for their scriptures to be fulfilled
“As
it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send
my messenger before thy face, Which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight.
John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach
the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judæa, and they of Jerusalem, and
were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.”
Mark 1:2-5 KJV
nicodemus was a Jewish ruler a Pharisee who secretly knew jesus was sent by God , and remember johns baptism in water had been going on a while . With John saying “ I baptize you with
water but another greater will come and baptize you with the
spirit “
Then after John Jesus comes along and says “ you must be born of
water and the
spirit “
now finally consider the imagery of a birth the water breaks and the new born baby emerges the new child is announced …. Like this
“And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was
baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway
coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and
the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
and there came a voice from heaven, saying,
Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Mark 1:9-11 KJV
I would submit to you that just as John spoke of water and spirit regarding baptism Jesus spoke of water and spirit regarding birth and so we see the completed form of the one baptism that includes
water and spirit
“Then Peter said unto them,
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,( water )
and
ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”( spirit )
Acts 2:38 KJV
baptism involves water and spirit
“While Peter yet spake these words,
the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard ( spirit ) the word.
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And
he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. ( water for remission of sins ) Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”
Acts 10:44, 46-48