Originally Posted by OldHat
Originally Posted by Tarquin

Except one is born of water and of the spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God, says Jesus to Nicodemus. And you say it's not essential to salvation? Says who? Not Jesus.

Being born of water means being born from the womb. Sprinkling water on someone is not being born. No where in the Bible does anyone say water baptism is essential.

Here He is clearly says being born of the water is being born of the flesh.

"Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
(Joh 3:5-6 ESV)




Born of water means baptism, not being born period. It is non-sensical and redundant to say you can't be saved unless or until you've been born. Duh! There is a reason that the Eunuch sought baptism immediately after his conversion. How essential is baptism to salvation? Even Christ was baptized and baptism was an essential ordinance in the early church.

Tarquin