Jesus told Nicodemus that one must be born of water and the Spirit. ³"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again [or from above], 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 the 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 water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."

Nicodemus understood that Jesus said "born again" and was not referencing his original fleshly birth. Nicodemus wanted to know if he meant that one had to have a second fleshly birth. Jesus said that which is born of the flesh is flesh, but this "born again" was a Spiritual birth even though it required water. This birth was voluntary unlike the fleshly birth in which one had no choice.

Throughout the book of Acts, the responding audience always is voluntary but is first baptized in water. According to Romans 6 the baptized person is baptized into the death of Jesus. Romans 6: ³ Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? ⁴ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." A new birth. A new life. From the Spirit of God as promised by Jesus.

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Do you know how one becomes a saint?