Jesus answered Nicodemus saying, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5).
To many this is a puzzle, but why?
First of all a symbolical sprinkling with water called baptism does not qualify. The original baptism comes from Noah's flood in which evil and evildoers perished; hence the old man is buried in.
Secondly, Jewish Mikveh is a form of baptism. One goes into the water (like Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch did, "they both went down into the water" Acts 8:38) and then one goes out of the water and never stands on a bank getting sprinkled. Baptism is an act of obedience. Being washed with God's Word is also an act of obedience. Faith without works (or doing anything) is dead.
Since Christianity emerged from Judaism some original traditions were kept until the moment the majority of Christians were no longer Jewish but gentile. So things were being changed just to satisfy the gentile pride I suppose... and the desire to distance themselves from the Jews drove many to alter many original traditions. Yet, God never meant for gentiles to dwell in their own tent, for if they do then they drift away from the truth.
TWO EYE-OPENING SCRIPTURES
[Genesis 9:27] “May God enlarge Japheth, and let him dwell in the tents of Shem.
Japheth - Javan, Greece, Europe - Christianity.
Shem, Abraham, Isaac, Israel, Judah - Jews.
[John 4:22] You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. - Jesus.
When you lose the anchor your boat will drift without an aim.
[Romans 11:18] Do not be arrogant toward the branches (The Jew and Israel); but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.
Read the Letter of Paul to the Roman Christians (Romans 11) about the Jews, and you will found your anchor. For it is greatly pleasing to God when one humbles the pride of this life.
[Romans 11:32] For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.
Why? To affect the humbling of pride.
I must add that the birth of water and Spirit is not only of the Word and Spirit, but also a baptism in water and baptism in the Spirit. Apostle Paul associates water washing with God's Word.
[Ephesians 5:26] so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.
John the Baptist speaks of baptism with water and with the Holy Spirit.
[Matthew 3:11] As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Just as the Jewish Mikveh is (complete immersion in flowing water) so it is in Christianity. It passed on to Christianity, but with alterations of course; nonetheless water is involved.
So we have four aspects to consider.(1) Water as the Word. (2)Physical water of baptism. (3) Immersion ( in God's word and in His Spirit), like an infant is immersed in its mother's. (4) Birth after one has matured and outgrew the womb dwelling.
