4. Being Born Again | Batemans Bay Church

Baptism

Scripture must be kept in context with the rest of scripture. Constantly quoting a single scripture without context is misleading and dangerous.

For example, some people will quote John 3:16 - “ 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”, and conclude that we are all eternally saved if we just believe that Jesus is real. This conclusion is not even in context with the rest of John chapter 3, let alone the rest of scripture!

In John 3:3, “Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no-one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again”. If we truly ”believe in him", then we believe what he is saying. So we believe that he requires us to be “born again”. But what does it mean?

Nicodemus was obviously confused about these words, because he asked- ”‘How can a man be be born when he is old?’ ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born’!” (John 3:4)

“Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no-one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and of 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’”. (John 3:5-7)

It is probably fair to say that no one would have understood these words at the time that Jesus spoke them. There were many occasions during his ministry on earth when his own disciples were confused about what he was saying. Of course, the Lord Jesus went on to teach his apostles many things in private, that he did not share with the crowds.

However, Nicodemus was considered a teacher in Israel, and Jesus showed him how little he really understood. “‘You are Israel’s teacher’, said Jesus, ‘and you do not understand these things?’” (John 3:10). Jesus was often cryptic with people during his earthly ministry. There was much to be accomplished before the truth became clear to those who would preach his new covenant. However, the fact remains that what Jesus said to Nicodemus was true. It is obvious then, that if we "believe in him" (John 3:16), then we believe that we must be "born of water and the Spirit" (John 3:5) just as the Lord Jesus said. For we cannot claim to believe in him if we deny his words. If this is true, then it is crucial, so the apostles must have preached the same thing.

Does “born of water” mean Baptism? Yes!

This is how the apostles describe our baptism;

“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:3,4)

It is no coincidence that being baptised in water is described as being “baptised into his death” that “we too may live a new life”.

Again; it is clear from scripture, that when we are baptised, we take part in the death and resurrection of Christ - through which we are saved. We are put to death. We are “buried” with him and then "raised" to a “new life” through this baptism. This is why baptism has always been full immersion in water- because it represents burial and rebirth. - or being “born again”.

This is completely consistent with the Lord's words to Nicodemus. We read the same declaration in Paul's letter to Titus.

Titus 3:5, “ He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit”

The apostles were the ones who were chosen by Christ to take his new covenant to mankind, and the apostles preached “water” and “Spirit” from the very beginning of their new covenant ministry, just as Christ preached to Nicodemus.

You will notice that when the new covenant was first preached to the masses, those who believed the message understood that something was required from them. The people immediately asked, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).

They understood that they needed to “do” something. This is the point where many theologians will tell people, 'Don't worry, you don't have to do anything, you are saved by grace.' However, “Peter replied ‘Repent and be baptised everyone of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (Acts. 2:38).

The apostles clearly preached both water and the Spirit from the very beginning of the new covenant church. However, there was also a clear distinction between the two.

It’s not complicated. One part we do in obedience- “Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of jesus Christ”. The second part is a gift, according to God’s promise -

“And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”.

The people who heard the message simply obeyed the apostles teaching; it says, "Those who accepted his message were baptised, and about three thousand were added to their number that day" (Acts 2:41) This is the part they did in obedience and the other - the rebirth by the Spirit, is the promised gift from God.

Water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit are clearly preached by the apostles as being the gateway to salvation. This is how we may enter the kingdom of God. Throughout their ministry in the book of Acts, the apostles preach both water and the Spirit.

However, to avoid any confusion, they only refer to one of them as "baptism" when they are preaching to the crowds and teaching in their letters.

Being born of water is consistently referred to as "baptism", while being born of the Spirit is referred to as "receiving the Holy Spirit" or "being filled with the Spirit" or the Holy Spirit being "poured out" or simply"renewal by the holy Spirit".

So we know that when they tell us there is only "one baptism"; we can be sure that they mean baptism in water, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, ONE BAPTISM, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all " (Eph. 4:3-6)

Being "born of the Spirit" is never preached by the apostles as a replacement for water baptism. Regardless of the circumstances, they preach both "water" and "Spirit".

We read in Acts chapter 10, that the gift of the Holy Spirit is given to gentiles as well. In this passage, it simply says, "the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message". (Acts 10:44) Directly after that, it says, "the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the gentiles". (Acts 10:45) Clearly, the point of this event is the fact that God was showing the apostles his acceptance of Gentiles into his kingdom. At no point does it ever imply that this event replaces the requirement of water baptism.

Peter then asks, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptised with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have". (Acts 10:47) He then Clearly tells us that being baptised with water is the same thing as being baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. "So he ordered that they be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ." (Acts 10:48) All these people were baptised in water, and all these people were filled with the Holy Spirit. It was just as The Lord said it should be, the were "born of water and of the Spirit". Peter didn't just make a casual suggestion that being baptised in water might be a good thing to do. He ordered that they do it!

Throughout the book of Acts, receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit is a consistent event for those who believe and are baptised with water. Should it be any different now? No, because it is clearly written, "This gift is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2:39)

Even when Cornelius and his household were filled with the Holy Spirit, as a sign of God’s acceptance of the gentiles, Peter still ordered that they be baptised in water - “Then Peter said. Can anyone keep these people from being baptised with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. So he ordered that they be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ.” (Acts 10:47)

They were already filled by the Holy Spirit but still needed baptism in water because Jesus said, “no-one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and of the Spirit”. He did not say ‘water or the Spirit’. He said “born of water and of the Spirit.”

They were baptised in water and they received the Holy Spirit. They were born of water and of the Spirit.

It is no coincidence that the apostles preached water baptism and renewal by the Spirit, just as the Lord Jesus did. Without them, we cannot enter the kingdom of God.