1. If we are saved by grace, then why does Jesus say we must be baptized in both spirit and water?
Jesus requires us to be born of water and Spirit to enter into His Kingdom(John 3:5), to refuse to listen to His commands is not wise. To have faith in Jesus is to obey His commands. Faith without love is worthless("Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.1 corinthians 13:13), to love your God with all your heart, soul and mind is the greatest commands(just as loving your neighbor as yourself),if you really loved Jesus, you would obey His commands(John 14:21) which is to be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit(Matthew 28:19). The doers of the word are blessed in what they do(James 1:25), but the hearers of the word are deceived(James 1:22). Jesus tells us to be born of the water and Spirit and He even ordained his disciples to go around the world baptizing people and telling them what He has commanded them(Matthew 28:19). Again, if Jesus commands us to be born of water, why would anyone object to it? Jesus commanded his disciples to baptize people, why would anyone object, getting baptized? Remember, Jesus's words are Spirit and Life(John 6:63), anyone who listens to Jesus's words and refuses to act on it(E.g: refuse to get baptized) is like a person building his house on sand(Matthew 7:24).
Special circumstances :
*Nailed: The thief on the cross didn't have an option to go down and be baptized, he was nailed on a cross, he could only ask Jesus to save him(that was his only option).
*If someone lives in a hostile environment, they can always ask Christian friends to baptize them in a bathtub, pool or anything that can be filled with water. (Tip: If you have true faith in God, you can always ask Jesus to make a way for you to get baptized. Nothing is impossible for Him, He is LORD)
*If someone has a disease: Just because someone has a disease, doesn't mean they can not go in the water. Again, I would get some gloves or buy a hazmat suit, if it is what it takes. I would certainly use my own resources and meet anywhere, to baptize someone who really wants to be a child of God(by obeying Jesus's commands)(Tip:If you have true faith in God, you can always ask Jesus to make a way for you to get baptized.Nothing is impossible for Him, He is LORD)
*Allergic to water: This is a very special circumstance. In this case, I would intercede for this person, I would ask Jesus to spiritually baptize this person or that person could ask Jesus directly. (Tip: If you have true faith in God, you can always ask Jesus to make a way for you to get baptized. Nothing is impossible for Him, He is LORD)
Most people aren't nailed on a cross, living in a hostile environment or allergic to water, they have no excuses to not get baptized in the name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit(Matthew 28:19). There are Christians, who have the love of Christ that can baptize you anywhere, but if you want excuses, you will find them.
Being born of water
Water:
Being born of water isn't being born from the amniotic fluid. If it was, we have billions of unbelievers that are born of the water. The amniotic fluid is unscriptural and has no basis. Again why would Jesus tell Nicodemus to be born of the water, if the amniotic fluid symbolizes being born of the water? (Nicodemus came from the amniotic fluid just like all humans).Nicodemus wasn't born of the water that's why Jesus told him to get born of the water. To be baptized is to be born of the water, Jesus didn't tell the disciples to go around the world, baptizing people for nothing(Matthew 28:19). The requirement to be a disciple of Jesus is to get baptized("Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit") not faith alone.
Baptism:
Even Jesus was baptized, why would anyone who professes to be a follower of Christ refuse to get baptized? No servant is greater than his Master(John 15:20),if Jesus was baptized, we must surely get baptized also. What kind of faith is it, to willingly refuse to do what your Master did? Jesus says that baptism is necessary, to fulfill all righteousness(Matthew 3:15). Why would anyone then, go around saying that faith alone(without baptism and being born of the Spirit) is enough?
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. Matthew 3:13
Notice how the Spirit descended after Jesus was baptized, coincidence? I don't think so
Baptism in Jesus time/Were his disciple baptized or baptizing people in his time?:
*Andrew was a disciple of Jesus but before that, he was a disciple of John the Baptist(John 1:40) and he was baptized. Remember, John the Baptist was there to prepare the way for Jesus by baptizing people, he even baptized Jesus.
This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness,‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. Matthew 3:13
*Jesus's disciples were baptizing people in his time, I don't know why people keep lying that the disciples didn't baptize people before his death on the cross. Is it really a coincidence that Jesus disciple were baptizing people while Jesus was with them(on earth)? It isn't a coincidence, baptism is a requirement, if it wasn't, Jesus wouldn't have told them to baptize people while He was still on earth and even after He ascended into heaven.
If they were baptizing people, it means they were also baptized, someone who isn't baptized cannot baptize
Ask yourself this question, are you greater than your Master(Jesus was baptized)? are you greater than the 12 disciples(who were baptized and baptized people in Jesus' time)? If your Master is baptized and his disciple baptized, what makes you think you are going to be in the kingdom with them by faith alone?(willingly refusing to get baptized, which is not hard at all. Again, special circumstances do not apply to most of you)
When Jesus realized that the Pharisees were aware that He was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John (although it was not Jesus who baptized, but His disciples), He left Judea and returned to Galilee.John 4:1
2. Therefore, we are saved when we put our faith in Christ alone, realizing that it was by His blood alone that we have forgiveness of all our past, present, and future sins. This is known as being "baptized in the Holy Spirit./"So in this passage, Jesus is saying that we must be "born of the spirit" (putting our faith in Jesus alone, as mentioned above)
Faith alone isn't being born of the Spirit. Ephesians 2:4-9 talks about faith in Jesus(which is good, since someone has to believe, before being born of the water and of the Spirit).Ephesians 2:4-9 do not talk about being born in the Spirit, you do not see any mention of being born of the Spirit in that verse. If anybody has a verse that shows that being born in Spirit is faith alone, please show it to me and I will make amends
Being born in the Spirit is about receiving the Spirit of Christ(The Holy Spirit)in you. Jesus tells us that if we love Him and obey His commands, the Father and Him will come and make a home in us(aka being born of the Spirit or receiving the Holy Spirit).
"Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make Our home with him.Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words." John 14:23
Again, how could anyone be born of the Spirit if they do not keep Jesus's words? (which is to be born of water/get baptized in the name of the Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit)
To obey Jesus' commands is the way through in and throughout.Let's look at this verse from Romans 8:9
Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.
You see being born of the Spirit is having the Spirit of Christ in you, this change do not happen when you confess Christ with your lips, it happens when Jesus put His Spirit in you. For it to happen you have to obey his commands(refer back to John 14:23). No pastors can see through you, they can't know if you have the Spirit or not(only Jesus who give you the Spirit can know), therefore I wouldn't put too much mind in what they say.
When you receive the Spirit, there is external and internal signs.
1.Internal signs: How could anyone receive the Spirit of God in him(refer back Roman 8:9 and John 14:23)and not know it? I wouldn't put my salvation in the words of men who can't see through me but I would put my salvation in Christ by obeying His commands and asking for His Holy Spirit. Remember nobody can enter through the Kingdom of God without being born of the water and of the Spirit(John 3:5). Jesus's words are Spirit and Life(John 6:63), His commands are not optional, fools who hear His words and do not act on them will collapse(Matthew 7:27), faith alone won't keep a fool from collapsing(Faith without love is worthless, loving Jesus and obeying His words will lead to eternal life and you cannot receive the Spirit of truth if you don't keep His Commands(John 14:15))
Love is above all.
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.1 corinthians 13
Keeping Jesus's commands(not faith alone) lead to you receiving the Spirit of Truth
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever— 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you John 14:15
2.External signs: There can be external signs when people receive the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues is one of them(acts 10:46),external signs like the dove coming down from heaven and resting on Jesus(John 1:32), tongues like flames of fire(Acts 2:3).
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard his message. All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God.
Then Peter said, “Can anyone withhold the water to baptize these people? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have!"So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days. Acts 10:44
Can't people see that being born of the Spirit goes hands in hands with baptism? Do you notice what Peter say "Can anyone withhold the water to baptize these people? ", if those guys were saved through faith alone, why did God give them the Holy Spirit(notice the external signs that show that you received the Holy Spirit)? and why did Peter insisted on baptizing them, if baptism is optional? Faith alone isn't enough, if it was enough, those gentiles wouldn't have received the Holy Spirit and Peter wouldn't have insisted on baptizing them.
Again, how can a pastor see that the Holy Spirit fell on you or is in you? If you do not feel anything, nothing probably happened. But if you want to be really sure if you have the Holy Spirit, ask Jesus and He will reveal it to you, He is the One who sends the Spirit(John 15:26) on his beloved servants.
When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father— the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father— He will testify about Me. And you also must testify, because you have been with Me from the beginning. John 15:26
Conclusion:
*Baptism(being born of water)is not optional, Jesus ordained his disciple to go to all the nations baptizing people(Matthew 28:19), He Himself was baptized(Matthew 13:15) and His disciples were baptizing people(which means they were baptized, anyone who isn't baptized, can not baptize[John 4:2]),if you think you are above your Master, you are deceiving yourself, if you think that faith alone trump Jesus's commands you are deceiving yourself. Again, what is so hard about letting yourself get baptized? Why do people grumble about it and invent hurdles that do not exist?
*Receiving the Holy Spirit: If you receive the Holy Spirit, you will know it through internal signs(How can anyone receive the Spirit of God in Him and not feel it?) and through external signs(speaking in tongues, prophesying and more). Remember your pastors can't see in you, he can't tell if you have the Spirit or not, he might see those miraculous signs as you see them but if it happens internally, he won't know it but you will know.
References
Being born of water and Spirit:
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. John 3:5
Having faith by loving Jesus
Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” John 14:21
Being born of the Spirit by having the Spirit in you
"While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard his message. All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God."Acts 10:44
Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make Our home with him. John 14:23
the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:17
And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. Romans 8:9
Being born of water by getting baptized
But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him. As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. Matthew 3:15
When Jesus realized that the Pharisees were aware that He was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John(although it was not Jesus who baptized, but His disciples), He left Judea and returned to Galilee. John 4:2
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:19
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard his message.All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God.
Then Peter said,“Can anyone withhold the water to baptize these people? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have!”So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days. Acts 10:44
Not listening to Jesus's words(E.g: Refusing to get baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit)
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24
Hmmm, I wonder what His words are?
But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.”
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19