What does it mean to be born again of water and of the Spirit?

Some people think that being born of water is our natural birth, when we came out of the womb with water.

But what does the Bible say?

When Jesus told Nicodemus, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God,” Nicodemus was confused. (John 3:3)

"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?" - John 3:4 KJV

Jesus gave Nicodemus a clearer explanation, to let him know that the birth that He was talking about is a spiritual birth, not our natural birth.

"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." - John 3:5 KJV

Jesus made it very clear that He was not speaking of our natural birth of the flesh but rather a spiritual birth of the Spirit of God.

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." - John 3:6-7 KJV

As soon as Jesus finished talking to Nicodemus about being born of water and of the Spirit, John records that Jesus came into the land of Judea and there tarried with His disciples and baptized. (John 3:22, John 3:26).

Baptizing with water in Jesus name is what Jesus was talking about when He said, "Except a man be born of water..."

In the next chapter, John 4, Jesus began speaking of the baptism of His Spirit – we must also be born of His Spirit to enter His kingdom. Jesus spoke of His Spirit as the gift of God. He compared His Spirit to living water.

"Jesus answered and said unto her (the woman at the well), If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water." - John 4:10 KJV

Being born of His Spirit brings everlasting life. Being born of water and of His Spirit allows us to enter into the kingdom of God.

"Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." - John 4:13-14 KJV

John chapter 7 clarifies that this living water is the Holy Ghost that Jesus would pour out on the Day of Pentecost, after His resurrection and ascension.

"In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" - John 7:37-39 KJV

Jesus spoke of the Holy Ghost experience to Nicodemus. He let Nicodemus know that when a person is born of the Spirit there is a sound.

"The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." - John 3:8 KJV

On the day of Pentecost when Jesus poured out His Spirit, there was a sound. Just as Jesus said, there was a sound like the wind. The sound that came when they were born of the Spirit in that upper room was speaking in tongues as the Spirit spoke through them.

"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. ... And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:2, 4 KJV

On that Day of Pentecost, Peter stood up with the rest of the Apostles and preached the gospel. He then preached what they must do to be born again of the water and of the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 KJV