Born of Water and the Spirit

The Second Book of Kings reports how Naaman the leper was healed, by plunging seven times into the Jordan River. What was the key to his healing?
The Jordan is a river having miraculous properties.
Naaman was a good and righteous man.
Leprosy is indeed cured in contact with water.
Naaman obeyed God's instructions, dictated by Elisha.

God asks us to show in a concrete way that we take a stand for Him. In order to know what action we must take, the First Epistle of Peter tells us that Jesus left us an , that we should follow His .

In the Epistle to the Romans, the apostle Paul explains the meaning of baptism: «Therefore we were with Him through baptism into , that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in of life.»

According to the Word of God, baptism represents all the following things, except one. Which one?
The replacement of the «old man» by the new man.
God's approval of all our future deeds.
The answer of a good conscience toward God.
Our death to sin, and our new birth in Jesus Christ.

So as to identify which kind of baptism the Word of God teaches, it is important to remember that the verb «to baptize» comes from the greek word «baptizo», which means:
«to immerse», «to plunge into».
«to sprinkle a few drops of water».
«to dampen», «to moisten».
«to consecrate», «to put aside».

On several occasions, the apostle Paul compares baptism to burial followed by resurrection. Therefore, the very symbolism of burial requires this one and only kind of baptism: Baptism by .

According to the Word of God, the candidate for baptism must meet all these preliminary qualifications, except one. Which one?
Having faith in Jesus Christ.
Repenting of one's sins.
Having confessed one's sins.
Having overcome all one's weaknesses.

The New Testament shows the baptism of many people. However, a certain category of people never gets baptized. Which one is it?
Men.
Women.
Eunuchs.
Infants.

The book of the Acts of the Apostles gives us both a command and a promise about baptism: «Repent, and let every one of you be in the name of Jesus Christ for the of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the .»

In the Gospel according to Mark, Jesus gives us an ultimate call, before ascending to the Father: «He who and is will be saved.»