(6) BORN OF THE WATER

(JOHN 3:2-7)- Nicodemus came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him".- Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the Kingdom of God without being born again". "How can anyone be born when they are old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of the water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying. You must be born again". Being born of the Spirit is commonly taught, but being born of the water is usually not mentioned. WHY? The most common explanation is, 'born of the water' happens when a person is born the first time, but why did Jesus say, you must be born again of the water and the Spirit. Being born again was Future Tense for Nicodemas and for us too, in order to be saved. The Dictionary defines the word Born as 'brought into existence or life', 'brought out from' and 'brought forth by, or as if by birth'. This means that 'water baptism' is part of the 'Plan of Salvation', but it is sometimes belittled with a "You don't need to be Baptized to be Saved". John The Baptist's baptism was a 'baptism of repentance for the fogiveness of sins'. -(Mark. 1:4) (Acts 2:38)- Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. (Acts 22:16)- Paul (Saul) was blind for 3 days as he fasted and prayed, after talking to Jesus. Ananias, sent by Jesus, told Saul "Why tarriest thou? arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord". There are 8 accounts of conversion in the NT and each was followed immediately by water baptism. Not one said a prayer to get saved. (The Sinners Prayer was in the OT Temple, by a Godly man.) At this point someone will think Legalism! Legalism! Jesus is not legalistic. The thief on the cross could not come down and get baptized, but he was saved. Jesus wants your heart, your love, your devotion, your reverence, your worship and your obedience, to the extent of your ability. If a person is ignorant, misled, or disabled, but comes to Jesus with an eternal commitment, that person will never be rejected by our Lord. The Holy Spirit will lead that person. If we willingly reject scriptural teaching in favor of man's teaching, we are in error. Jesus is the judge. In Christ, Con