JEFF TURNER

In John 3, Jesus tells Nicodemus that a person must be born of water and the Spirit to enter God’s kingdom. Some have thought “water” means physical birth, like when a mother’s water breaks, but that idea doesn’t seem to fit the context. Others believe it means baptism alongside spiritual birth, but I believe this also misses the meaning.

I believe the right understanding comes from the Old Testament, specifically Ezekiel 36. In that prophecy, God promises to cleanse His people, give them a new heart, and put His Spirit within them. The “water” speaks of being made clean from sin, and the “Spirit” refers to God’s Spirit giving new life.

Jesus was pointing Nicodemus to this promise, showing that entering God’s kingdom requires both cleansing and renewal from God.

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

Titus 3:5