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Born Again From Above
You probably have heard that when Jesus said you must be born again, that the Greek word also means “from above”, so “born from above”.
There is little doubt in my mind that John, who often has double meanings, shows Jesus meaning, “You must be born again from above” (John 3:3,7). The point is God’s kingdom is for those born from God and not from any physical biology. This was already taught in John 1:12-13.
Verse 5 substitutes “of water and the Spirit” for “again from above”. Can “born of water” mean water baptism is when we are born again from above?
When Jesus was confronted about his authority, he asked the Pharisees, “Tell me if John’s baptism is from heaven or man” (Matthew 21:25). Jesus is asking, “Tell me if John’s baptism is from above”. So yes, born again from above can refer to water baptism being from Heaven.
Even today we are told to be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins (born of water) and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (born of the Spirit). Baptism in water is from above.
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