"Born of Water"

                                           "Jesus answered, 'I tell you the truth, no one
                                             can enter the kingdom of God unless he is
                                             born of water and the Spirit."
                                                                                 John 3:5


          In this passage, the word "water" does NOT refer to baptism, but instead to
     the spiritual cleansing a person undergoes when he is regenerated by God.
    


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          "Jesus referred not to literal water here but to the need for 'cleansing'.
     When water is used figuratively in the Old Testament, it habitually refers
     to renewal or spiritual cleansing, especially when used in conjunction with
     'spirit.'
          Thus, Jesus made reference to the spiritual washing or purification of the
     soul, accomplished by the Holy Spirit through the word of God at the moment
     of salvation, required for belonging to his kingdom."
                                                                                    John MacArthur
                                                                                    ESV Commentary


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                                               "(25) I will sprinkle clean water on you,
                                                and you shall be clean from all your
                                                uncleannesses, and from all your
                                                idols I will cleanse you.  (26) And I will
                                                give you a new heart, and a new spirit
                                                I will put within you.  And I will remove
                                                the heart of stone from your flesh and
                                               give you a heart of flesh.  (27) And I will put
                                               my Spirit within you, and cause you to
                                               walk in my statutes and be careful to
                                               obey my rules."
                                                                                  Ezekiel 36:25-27


          "What was figuratively described in v. 25 is explained as literal in vv 26-27.
     The gift of the 'new heart' signifies the new birth, which is regeneration by the
     Holy Spirit.
          "The 'heart' stands for the whole nature.  The 'spirit' indicates the governing
     power of the mind, which directs thought and conduct.  A 'heart of stone' is
     stubborn and self-willed.  A 'heart of flesh' is pliable and responsive.  The evil
     inclination is removed and a new nature replaces it."
                                                                                  John MacArthur
                                                                                  ESV Commentary



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                                                   "But when the goodness and loving kindness
                                                    of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not
                                                    because of works done by us in righteousness,
                                                    but according to his own mercy, by the wash-
                                                    ing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
                                                    whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus
                                                    Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his
                                                    grace we might become heirs according to the
                                                    hope of eternal life."
                                                                                       Titus 3:4-7


                "Salvation is not achieved by human effort or merit but comes through God's
     mercy alone.  'Washing of regeneration' is a reference to new birth, of which baptism
     (among other things) is a sign.  It cannot mean that baptism is necessary for regen-
     eration, since the New Testament plainly teaches that the new birth is an act of God's
     Spirit and is not effected or achieved by ceremony."
                                                                                        NIV Commentary


                "Salvation brings divine cleansing from sin and the gift of a new,
     Spirit-generated, Spirit-empowered, and Spirit-protected life as God's own
     children and heirs."
                                                                                 John MacArthur
                                                                                 ESV Commentary