[Originalist]

Originally Posted by RonMurray

You're right that we don't have to believe that water in John 3:5 is referring to batism to believe we must be baptized, because there's plenty of other scriptures. But if we want the correct interpretation of that verse and preach the truth, then, yes, we do have to believe and preach that.

The water and Spirit in John 3:5 is the same as the water and Spirit mentioned in 1 John 5:8, that I mentioned before. The blood, water, and Spirit are directly connected with repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The blood of Christ is applied in repentance, water is applied in baptism, and the Spirit is applied by the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

Just like in Romans 6:3 - 6 and 8:11, where it talks about the believer being crucified, buried, and resurrected with Christ through repentance, baptism, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. See the connection between all these?

Repentance = Death
Baptism = Burial
Holy Spirit = Resurrection

Also...

Repentamce = Blood
Baptism = Water
Holy Spirit = Spirit

We could put them all together...

Repentance = Death = Blood
Baptism = Burial = Water
Holy Spirit = Resurrection = Spirit

I was taught these things by divine revelation and teaching from God by His Spirit. These are the teachings of God. This is apostolic teaching.

If you want to know the truth for yourself, go to God about it, and ask God to let you know if these things are true or not.

I went to God before and asked Him to let me know if it's true that everyone who receives the Holy Spirit will speak in tongues, and if it's true that He's Jesus, and if God wanted every believer to be baptized in the name of Jesus, or if it didn't matter. And God showed me in His word, and gave me divine revelation and understanding of those versrs, and confirmed it to and made me know that it's true, that everyone who receives the Holy Spirit will speak in tongues, and that He is Jesus, that Jesus and God atre one in the same, and that it is the will of God for every believer to baptized in the name of Jesus. And I cpntinued on by praying and asking God to teach me more about salvation, and trach me more about the things in the Bible that's connected with Acts 2:38, because I wanted to learn as much as I could about it, and I asjed God to give me a spirit of revelation and give me knowledge, wisdom, and understanding, and teach me His word and His ways in general.

And God showed me and taught me a lot by His Spirit. So I encpurage you to do the same. That's why I gave the specifics of what I prayed, so you could do thr same. After asking God to let you know if those things are true or not, also pray and ask God to give you a spirit of revelation, and give you knowledge, wisdom, and understanding, to teach you His word and His ways.

I get a little nervous when one speaks of "divine revelation". I think it is better to speak of "illumination" of God's word, after lengthy study and prayer.

You spoke of I John 5:8. It is clearly referring to to Christ's death, baptism and divine conception. The context of this passage is God testifying of Christ.

6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

But again, while I do not feel I John 5:8 or John 3:5 are referring to our baptism in water, there are still many passages that link baptism to the remission of sins.