BORN OF SPIRIT AND WATER

The prerequisite for entering the kingdom of God is to be born of spirit and water. The two processes belong exclusively to the Lord. The believer is expected to keep judgment and do justice, “for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.” (Isaiah 56:1). He shall present his body a living sacrifice to the Lord. Then if he walks in the way of the Lord in righteousness, will be reborn with spirit and water. Both the spirit and the water symbolize the Holy Spirit, but its different ministries. The water cleanses, removes impurities from the believer's soul, (Ephesians 5:25-27, Psalm 51:7) through the Word (Ephesians 5:26, John 15:3, 17:17). In the Old Testament the priests had to wash in the laver when they entered the tabernacle. Fire is an alternative symbol for the cleansing function. The fire or burning spirit purifies the believers as gold and silver are purified (Isaiah 4:4, Jeremiah 6:29, Zechariah 13:9, Malachi 3:2,3). The cleansing with water doctrinally should be separated from the cleansing with blood. The blood of Jesus cleanses when one repents and believes in Jesus. His blood cleanses from every sin and is applied only once. (Hebrews 9:14,22, 10:29, 1 John 1:7). Another kind of purification, but not with the effects of water or fire, is in the furnace of affliction, that is, through discipline (Isaiah 48:10, Jeremiah 9:7). With the birth of the Spirit, emphasis is placed on the ministry of the Holy Spirit as a knife (Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12) that penetrates to the depths of the soul and spirit. (Hebrews 4:12,13). Being born of the spirit is the circumcision of the heart. (Ezekiel 36:26, 11:19, Deuteronomy 30:6, Romans 8:13, Joel 2:13). Being born of the spirit is also referred to as the sanctification of the Spirit that leads to salvation (2 Thessalonians 2:13) and obedience (1 Peter 1:2). We see two independent functions together, namely the sanctification by water and the circumcision of the heart in Ezekiel 36:25,26. The circumcision of the heart is done to know God (Jeremiah 24:7), to love the Lord with all your heart and all your soul (Deuteronomy 30:6) and to “walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.” (Ezekiel 11:19, 36:27).

The circumcision of the heart is mentioned three times (John 3:5,6,8) while sanctification with water only once (John 3:6). The birth with Spirit is subtle and imperceptible (John 3:8) So while a believer can receive sanctification-purification, we cannot speak of entering the kingdom of God without the circumcision of the heart, which is the birth of Spirit.

Jesus told Peter that by dying he would glorify God, meaning of course not his physical death, but the death of the flesh that was expected in the future (John 21:18,19). It also means that the sanctification the disciples underwent for more than three years by listening to the Word, through the teachings of Jesus, was not enough. Their flesh would die at the day of Pentecost.

Nicodemus should have known the doctrine of the new birth, since he certainly had the scriptures at his disposal (John 3:10). Jesus’ reply “Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?” cancels the doctrine of the Orthodox-Catholic church that the new birth takes place with water baptism. How is it possible that Nicodemus knew about the water baptism that symbolizes the death and resurrection of Jesus, before he did it? Nicodemus' name in Greek means "he who overcomes the world". The believer who is born of spirit and water, sanctifies and circumcises his heart, overcomes the world and enters the kingdom of God. He sits with Jesus at the same table to dine with him. He is a child of God, a new creation in Christ. The believer does absolutely nothing by his own effort. Sanctification and circumcision of the heart is entirely the work of the Holy Spirit.

Before his ascension, Jesus promised the baptism of the disciples with the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist was promised the baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire by Jesus (Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33, Acts 11:16). I mention the burning with Spirit and fire of the believers and their purification from useless elements. They remain clean like gold or silver that is purified in the fire. (Isaiah 4:4, Jeremiah 6:29, Zechariah 13:9, Malachi 3:2-3). This was done at the day of Pentecost. Another event that took place at Pentecost was the establishment of the church. It was the believers’ baptism into one body. (1 Corinthians 12:13). Therefore baptism with the Holy Spirit or baptism into Christ, is about being reborn with water or fire and entering into the kingdom of God (Galatians 3:27). Contrary to all current misconceptions, the believer must seek the kingdom of God through genuine new birth.