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Born Of The Water

John 3:1-5 "1. There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2. The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. 4. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of the water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.

As we see in verse 1-4 Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be born again, but Nicodemus has trouble understanding him. So Jesus breaks it down for him in verse 5 Saying we must be born again of the water and of the spirit, and shows us how to be born again.

In this section I am going to show you what is meant by "Being born of the water." Through the Books of Acts we see that the disciples baptized by immersion of water. As it was commanded by Jesus in Matthew 28:19.

And the next time that this subject was noted was in the book of Acts. Many people were gathered at the place and time Acts notes as the Day of Pentecost. And as the question was directed to Peter and the rest of the Apostles Men and brethren, what shall we do?, Peter Spoke up Saying ..." Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

( Repentance of Sin shows that you understand that you were born into this world in sin, through Adams transgression, and that you wish to turn from the ways of this world and live a Godly and Holy Life.)

People have also said that being born of the water described in 3:5 means to be born of the natural, or the water that breaks. Now why would Jesus go through the trouble to tell Nicodemus something he already knew? (Nicodemus was a highly intelligent Religious leader and already knew that he was broken from water at his birth.) What Jesus was saying was there must be something in addition to being born through the natural. Mark 16:16 also states that we must be Baptized. And upon seeing in the book of Acts we see the two things that the disciples preached upon salvation is Baptism and the infilling of the Holy Ghost.

If you will read these scriptures you will see that baptism is necessary for salvation in the Name of the Lord, Acts 2:38, Acts 4:10-12, Acts 10:47-48, Acts 22:16, Romans 6:1-4, 1 Cor 6:11, Gal 3:27, Eph 4:5, Col 2:9-12, Col 3:17

And if you read Acts 8:16, and Acts 19:3-6, we see the actual formula used which is in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, or in the name Jesus Christ. Now through this comes the changing of beliefs that started in 325 A.D. Today, many religions use the formula "In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost" when baptizing instead of the original Bible formula "In the Name of Jesus", and there is reason for that.

In the Year 325 A.D. Different Roman councils came together in order to bring Religion into Unity, Roughly creating The Roman Catholic Church. In these times the teachings of the disciples had stretched far through the world. But through the decisions made by these councils, it changed the teachings and practices of many. In 325 A.D. The Council of Nicea brought forth and ruled the Idea that Jesus was a second person in the Godhead and the Religion of Trinitarianism was introduced, and ruled to change the form of Baptism from of Immersion "In The Name of Jesus" to "In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost".

Great Roman, and Religious leaders over time wanted to Dilute The name of Jesus, that was so strongly being preached, And the decision was to revert to the text of Matthew 28:19. But as we know through this lesson of bible studies, What is the Name of the Father? .. Jesus, What is the Name of the Son? .. Jesus, and What is the Name of the Holy Ghost? .. Jesus.

This mode of Baptism that was introduced goes against what Jesus was teaching, and against the examples in the book of Acts. Jesus was saying Baptize in the Name that Covers all Three Manifestations. And through history which you can clearly look up for yourself. That after the ruling in 325 A.D. These were the First times in history that the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost were ever used in baptizing.

If you want to look these up for your own reference, please do so. These References Show that no recorded baptisms in the times of the Apostles were under the formula "In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost".

Schaff-Herzog Enc. of Religious Knowledge: Volume 1, page 435 - 1966 edition

Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics: Volume 2, page 384 - 1958 edition

Encyclopaedia Brittanica: Volume 3, pages 365, and 368 - 1910 edition

A History of the Christian Church, by Williston Walker, page 87 - 1959 edition

Encyclopaedia Biblica: Volume 1, page 473 - 1899 edition

Hasting's: A Dictionary of the Bible: Volume 1, page 241-1906 edition
States "The original form of words was 'into the name of Jesus Christ' or 'the Lord Jesus.' Baptism into the Trinity was a later development."

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Volume 1, page 392
States " The words of Matthew 28:19 are not given in any description of Christian baptism until the time of Justin Martyr; and there they are not repeated exactly .... In every account of the performance of the rite in apostolic times a much shorter formula is in use." also Identifies this formula as "In the name of Jesus Christ" or "In the name of the Lord Jesus."

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