WHAT DOES “BORN OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT” MEAN?

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There has been a lot of debate among Christians on the meaning of Jesus' words in John 3:5 with regards to the phrase "born of water and Spirit".

(John 3:5 KJV) 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. 

Many believe that the term "water" used in the verse figuratively refer to water baptism. However, it is not water baptism as all old testament saints were saved without water baptism (read Hebrew chapter 11). More so, many people during Jesus ministry were forgiven of their sins without water baptism (e.g. Luke 7:48) and water baptism was not held as essential to salvation as Paul did not major on it.

(1 Corinthians 1:17 KJV) For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

So many other Christians believe that the "water" refers to the "Word of God" and they back their believe with verse 26 of Ephesians chapter 5:

(Ephesians 5:26 KJV) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.

Though the bible shows in the above verse that the Word of God is the "water-like" agent used by the Holy Spirit in regeneration, it is however out of context of the discussion in John chapter 3 where the word "spirit" is already repeatedly used to convey the spiritual nature of the new birth. To be "born of the Spirit" means regeneration by the Holy Spirit mainly through its agent, the Word of God". Why then refer to spirit twice?

A proper study of this discussion in context, between Jesus and Nicodemus will help us understand what the phrase "born of water and of the Spirit" means.

(John 3:1-3 CEV) There was a man named Nicodemus who was a Pharisee and a Jewish leader. One night he went to Jesus and said, "Rabbi, we know that God has sent you to teach us. You could not work these miracles, unless God were with you." Jesus replied, "I tell you for certain that you must be born from above before you can see God's kingdom!" 

(John 3:4 KJV) Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

(John 3:5 CEV) Jesus answered: I tell you for certain that before you can get into God's kingdom, you must be born not only by water, but by the Spirit.

If you had follow the discussion above, you would have noticed that in verse 5, Jesus answered Nicodemus’s question in verse 4 about reentering his mother’s womb and being physically born a second time. He said, "you must be born not only by water". The water in this verse refer to literal water. It is the amniotic fluid of a mother's womb that breaks in child birth. Please note that the mention of water in the ancient world is not uncommonly taken to refer to the actual coming forth from the womb after the breaking of the mother's water. It is used here to connote physical birth. In other words, Jesus is saying in this passage that physical birth alone is not enough to qualify anyone for entrance into God’s kingdom, that spiritual birth from above is required.

Verse 6 provides further insight that what Jesus was talking about was two types of birth as we continue to follow their conversation.

(John 3:6 KJV) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 

Notice that the above verse is not describing two requirements for being “born again” as water and Spirit. It is rather describing two ways of being “born” which are "flesh" and "spiritual" - which is the water and spirit in verse 5. 

“Born of water and Spirit” refers to two kinds of birth (i.e. birth by the flesh (womb) and birth by Holy Spirit) rather than two means to be born again such as water baptism or Word of God and the Holy Spirit; for Jesus did not say, "Except a man be "born again" of water and of the Spirit", rather He said, Except a man be "born" of water and of the Spirit".

Now, let's continue to read the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus:

(John 3:7-8 CEV) Don't be surprised when I say that you must be born from above. Only God's Spirit gives new life. The Spirit is like the wind that blows wherever it wants to. You can hear the wind, but you don't know where it comes from or where it is going.

(John 3:9-15 CEV) How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. Jesus replied: How can you be a teacher of Israel and not know these things? I tell you for certain we know what we are talking about because we have seen it ourselves. But none of you will accept what we say. If you don't believe when I talk to you about things on earth, how can you possibly believe if I talk to you about things in heaven? No one has gone up to heaven except the Son of Man, who came down from there. And the Son of Man must be lifted up, just as the metal snake was lifted up by Moses in the desert. Then everyone who has faith in the Son of Man will have eternal life. 

Notice also that between verses 3-8, Jesus answered the question on the "what" of the new birth by distinguishing between physical and spiritual births. Thereafter from verse 9, He started answering Nicodemus' question on the "how" of the new birth in terms of human requirement.

Meanwhile, you might be surprised to know that the old phrase “blood is thicker than water” is a shortened phrase which uses very familiar biblical meaning. The original saying was, “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb” which means relationship by blood covenant is stronger than family ties.

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