[PetroniusMaximus]

"One must be born of the Spirit and of water."

One can be born of the Spirit before o­ne is born of water.

"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell o­n all them which heard the word....Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?"

Romans 8:9
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.

They had the Spirt - therefore they belonged to Christ before they were baptized in water.

Obedience to Christ's command to partake in baptism is a foregone conclusion for any true believer. But new spiritual life does not come through physical baptism - it comes through the spiritual washing and regenerative powers of the baptism of the Spirit which God gives to all who believe the Gospel and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

[jkl1122]

What is the purpose of water baptism, according to Scripture?