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From the very beginning the Spirit moved upon the waters and from that action came forth the creation of the Lord. Gen. 1:2 The Spirit of the Lord, the Holy Spirit, the creative Spirit commissioned and sent forth by the Lord brought forth form and substance out of chaos. Ps. 104:30 As with the creation of all things, so it is with the creation of the new man. He must be born of water and of the Spirit. John 3:5 In natural birth, the body is developed in the amniotic fluid of its mothers body. Then at birth, in order to live the babe must take its first breath (pneuma, breath, wind or Spirit). The spiritual birth of the new man, must begin with the implantation of the incorruptible seed, the living and eternal Word of the Lord. 1 Peter 1:23.
Water is a vital element in the process of birth. Jesus made water baptism a necessity. It is a companion to faith or belief in the Lord Jesus. Jesus did not limit the process of salvation to believing but in no uncertain terms made it a definite act of faith. Mark 16:16 This is known as the great commission. Furthermore, Jesus emphasized water baptism as an act of making and receiving discipleship. He also specifically pointed out that it was to be in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Mat. 28:19 Are these names or are they titles explaining their position in the Godhead? I am a Father, I am a Son and I have a Spirit, but none of these are my name. At birth my parents gave me specific names by which I am known and identified. What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, if you know? Prov. 30:4e.
The Lord baptized a nation when He led the children of Israel out of Egypt. In order to enter into the promised land there were a number of requirements which had to be accomplished. They are types and symbols of the Christian experience. Their first accomplishment was the celebration of the Passover. Without the shedding of blood, there is no redemption. The blood was to be applied to the two side posts and the upper door post of their houses that the death angel not visit them. Ex. 12:7 The visitation of the angel of death came at midnight, with the death of the first born. Ex. 12:29 When we accept Christ, we know that we pass from the death unto life. 1 John 3:14 Where we once lived in sin and consequently were dead in trespasses and sins, we have now been made alive in Christ Jesus. Eph. 2:1.