John 3:5 and Baptists

It is common for Faith only groups to say the washing of regeneration in Titus 3:5-8 and being born of water in John 3:5 is washing with the blood of Christ or being born of water in the mother's womb.

However, early Baptist commentators said both were baptism.

Therefore modern commentaries have parted with the original baptist commentators like Matthew Henry.

Matthew Henry (1500's)

2. It is probable that Christ had an eye to the ordinance of baptism, which John had used and he himself had begun to use, "You must be born again of the Spirit," which regeneration by the Spirit should be signified by washing with water, as the visible sign of that spiritual grace: not that all they, and they only, that are baptized, are saved; but without that new birth which is wrought by the Spirit, and signified by baptism, none shall be looked upon as the protected privileged subjects of the kingdom of heaven. The Jews cannot partake of the benefits of the Messiah's kingdom, they have so long looked for, unless they quit all expectations of being justified by the works of the law, and submit to the baptism of repentance, the great gospel duty, for the remission of sins, the great gospel privilege. Secondly, It is compared to wind: The wind bloweth where it listeth, so is every one that is born of the Spirit, Joh_3:8. The same word (pneuma) signifies both the wind and the Spirit. The Spirit came upon the apostles in a rushing mighty wind (Act_2:2), his strong influences on the hearts of sinners are compared to the breathing of the wind (Eze_37:9), and his sweet influences on the souls of saints to the north and south wind, Son_4:16. This comparison is here used to show, 1. That the Spirit, in regeneration, works arbitrarily, and

• • Notice also that Henry separates baptism from the works of the law.

  • And he concluded it was for the remission of sins.

  • He said it was a baptism of repentance.

You can't properly repent without it. Plus, babies can't repent.

Next is the Baptist commentator Barnes (1700's),

John 3:5

Be born of water - By "water," here, is evidently signified "baptism." Thus the word is used in Eph_5:26; Tit_3:5. Baptism was practiced by the Jews in receiving a Gentile as a proselyte. It was practiced by John among the Jews; and Jesus here says that it is an ordinance of his religion, and the sign and seal of the renewing influences of his Spirit. So he said Mar_16:16, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." It is clear from these places, and from the example of the apostles Act_2:38, Act_2:41; Act_8:12-13, Act_8:36, Act_8:38; Act_9:18; Act_10:47-48; Act_16:15, Act_16:33; Act_18:8; Act_22:16; Gal_3:27, that they considered this ordinance as binding on all who professed to love the Lord Jesus. And though it cannot be said that none who are not baptized can be saved, yet Jesus meant, undoubtedly, to be understood as affirming that this was to be the regular and uniform way of entering into his church; that it was the appropriate mode of making a profession of religion; and that a man who neglected this, when the duty was made known to him, neglected a plain command of God.

Barnes included Ephesians 5:26, Titus 3:5 and John 3:5 as references to baptism.

I haven't found anyone from the early Baptists who said born of water was not baptism as they teach today in some seminaries.

Wesley also said it was baptism, though many Wesleyan branches deny it today.

Wesley

John 3:5

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit - Except he experience that great inward change by the Spirit, and be baptized (wherever baptism can be had) as the outward sign and means of it.