Water and Spirit: The Way to New Birth
Jesus’ teaching to Nicodemus (John 3:5) unites the external and internal aspects of salvation — “born of water and the Spirit.” The water signifies cleansing and covenant entry; the Spirit enacts regeneration and empowerment. Paul describes this union as “the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5, NASB). In this way, baptism is more than ritual — it is God’s means of new creation, where faith, repentance, water, and Spirit converge to bring the believer into The Way.
Reflection: The Path of The Way
Baptism is not merely a ceremony but participation in divine life. It is the believer’s declaration of allegiance, God’s act of cleansing, and the Spirit’s moment of indwelling. The same Spirit that hovered over the waters of creation now moves upon the waters of baptism — birthing a new creation in Christ. As Peter said, “baptism now saves you… through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 3:21, NASB). Thus, to walk in The Way is to live out the continual reality of baptism — dying daily to self and rising daily in the Spirit.
References
• The Holy Bible (NASB): John 3; Acts 2, 8, 10, 19; Romans 6; Titus 3; 1 Peter 3.
• Jack Cottrell, The Faith Once for All (College Press, 2002).
• Gareth L. Reese, Acts: New Testament History Commentary (College Press).
• Walter A. Elwell, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Baker, 2001).
• John Piper, Desiring God Ministries – Baptism and the New Birth.
• Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology (Baker Academic, 2013).
Written by Dr. Kevin Hall | The Way Bible Blog | Bahamas
#TheWayBible #DoctrineAndTheology #Baptism #WaterAndSpirit #FaithOnceForAll #GraceAndTruth
