Ron, I part with DHK on the water issue in John 3:5. I just can't help but think that these two men,having a personal conversation, would have to talk so obscurely to eachother. This was not a sermon to the masses here. It was Jesus sharing one on one with N. That said, I believe the water is just water. I believe the greek word used just means water. Jesus was saying that there were two births, one natural and one spiritual. As DHK said, both are required to get into HEAVEN. The next verse seems to confirm my interpretation by saying flesh gives birth to flesh and Spirit to Spirit. We use the phrase "her water broke" to this day. I have seen my 3 children born and believe me water abounded, it abounded all over the table etc... (Ha Ha). It looked like water and it makes sense in that day they would not have used some goofy scientific term. Ron, if you and I sat down and talked we would not talk in bizarre symbolism, yet saying the water is the Word or Baptism requires Jesus to do this, not to the disciples but to one man, whom had great interest in what Jesus had to say. Other "symbolic" type things Jesus says in John 3, like "the wind blows" are straight forward things and easy to understand.
Sorry to intrude here but I hate seeing meaning thrust on to scripture instead of just taking what it says as, well, as what it says.
In Easter's Love,
Brian
Sorry to intrude here but I hate seeing meaning thrust on to scripture instead of just taking what it says as, well, as what it says.
In Easter's Love,
Brian