What does it mean to “be born of water and of the Spirit”?

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5 KJV)

Welcome today to sweet bible study! We shall be seeing into this word used by Jesus with a view to understanding what it means.


Just like many other words of Jesus, many have found this term difficult to explain. Even though everyone is entitled to his own opinion, we can spot out any fallacious interpretation of scripture wherever we find it if only we hold on to a guide submitting to the Spirit. Alleluia!


First, I want to say that this word "be born of water and the Spirit" should not so much worry the Christian. It never gave Nicodemus to whom that word was spoken to so much a headache in finding its interpretation as it seems to be giving most Gentile Christians today. There are proofs Nicodemus got the message Jesus was passing; and I think any Jewish man would also grab it easily because it was a Jewish terminology. But a gentile Christian may not understand it.

How did we get saved? GSP 16

 see previous Part 15

Jesus said anyone who believes the gospel shall be saved.

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:16 KJV)

We got saved when we heard the news that we have been set free. We heard the gospel and we believed, so we got saved.
This is the sequence according to Romans 10

For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall (1) call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they (1) call on him in whom they have not (2) believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not (3) heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they (4) preach, except they be (5) sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:12-15 KJV)

How to know the will of God for you in any situation

About to make a decision?
About to take a very crucial step in your life?
Care about knowing what the will of God for you is?
Standing at a crossroad?
Today's edition is for you. Welcome!

We have learnt in a previous study how that you are compulsorily led by the Spirit of God if you are born again; and how that that is an act of grace, giving you the options of receiving the leading or rejecting it. Whether you have always been rejecting the will of God up till now or not, you will testify if you are a child of God how that God has been faithful in ensuring He has continued to lead you in spite of your seldom disobedience. Thank God for that testimony. If you do not have such testimony, ah! You're not born again! Because:

Now if you are exempt from correction and left without discipline in which all [of God's children] share, then you are illegitimate offspring and not true sons [at all]. (Hebrews 12:8 AMP)

He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself... (1 John 5:10 KJV)

So don't you think it's high time you received Jesus? Come on!

 

“I’m not water-baptized. Can I make it to heaven if I die without it?”

Wow! Intelligent questions require intelligent answers. Desperate to know the truth! Not gonna hide it! Let Bible be standard. "Oh God, what do you say concerning water baptism? I have not been baptized in water for some reasons; or I have been baptized still would love to know what would have happened if I had not. What does the scripture has to say?"

Seeking bible truth on water baptism? We once published a post on What the Bible teaches on water baptism. Read it: it's a little in-depth than this. You're blessed!

Jesus is honoured in this place. The reader receives illumination in His name. Amen!

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:15-16 KJV)

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with [them], and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:20 KJV)

What is this salvation? GSP 15

Salvation means a state of being saved; being salvaged; being rescued; being made free from an impending disaster.

"Save yourselves from the punishment coming on this wicked people!" (Acts 2:40 GNB)

I love to use this example. Salvation is like unto a man who can't swim but had his boat unfortunately capsized in the sea. Drowned until he could no longer cry out for help and was already staring death in the face; some men came to "rescue" him, treat him till he is okay. And at the end, he says, "thank you for saving my life". You remember a similar story in the bible? That man going from Jerusalem to Jericho… a man who was neither a Levite nor a priest (Law nor prophet), came to his rescue. We understand that wounded man to be humanity. He was half-dead; thank God! That is, his situation (death) was not irredeemable. The Samaritan showed up and paid his bill for treatment. Hmm! That story was more than teaching us who our neighbour is. It is saying, we (law and prophets and all carnal offices) cannot love our neighbour (fellow wounded men) as ourselves, but Jesus is that good neighbour who will pay our bills with His blood. Jesus is the One of "whom of Moses in the law did write" (John 1:45) when He said "love your neighbour as yourself". Do I mean men should forget about loving one another? Certainly not! But that we should lean upon Jesus so we can know to love. Recall about that disciple that leaned upon Jesus' breast (John 21:20): see how he became an apostle who taught love best. Anyway, love isn't the topic for today: but actually it is the topic for everyday.
Humanity was in crisis owing to "the fall of man" in Adam. There was an impending disaster indeed. But God did not react, because He cannot be caught unaware. He is not shocked Adam ate the fruit. But why then did He not stop Adam, you may want to ask? Wait till the next session where we explain Predestination and God's Supremacy. One thing must have been clear if you have been following this series, God could not have had a part in the fall of man. Instead, He is the brain behind The Restoration – the Redemption.

Their Redeemer is strong; the Lord of hosts is His name. He will surely and thoroughly plead their case and defend their cause, that He may give rest to [the land of Israel and to the Babylonian-enslaved nations of] the earth… (Jeremiah 50:34 AMP)

Today, God's salvation Plan has been unveiled and carried out; such that Jesus sits today at the right hand of the Father, expecting till His enemies be made His footstool. He has done all required to redeem all flesh. A saved man is therefore not in anticipation of any disaster to come. He has been rescued. Alleluia!

Some Few Things You Must Never Call the Leading of the Spirit or the Will of God

I share with you some laughable things most Christians often call the "will of God" but it is not. I call them laughable that you may see how unwise you've been in following after these "beggarly" ways.
Yes! It's normal that every serious minded Christian desires to know the "will of God" and to get the right step per time. But some in ignorance birthed by laziness have found themselves in these "pits" in the name of "will of God". Better put this title as, "what the will of God is not".

Frustration/Failure

Wow! Every New Testament saint of God must be careful about accepting their frustration as the leading of the Spirit. Now this is what I mean.

What Really is Grace?

Grace fundamentally is a kindness, favour shown towards someone that is undeserved, unmerited, unearned, unsolicited, and requiring no contribution of the receiver; and this grace is always commensurate to the “fatness” and generosity of the giver.
For grace to be grace, according to the above definition,

It must be an act of kindness