[newgeezer]

Baptism is necessary for salvation. John 3:5 "Jesus answered: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

None of my bibles say "again" in verse 5:

⁵   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.
⁶   That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Verse 6 further explains verse 5. You must be born twice: first of water in the flesh, second of the Spirit. "Born again" is in verses 3 and 7; not in verse 5.

Water baptism is not necessary. See Acts 16:29-31.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

None of my bibles say "again" in verse 5:

Those Bibles would be abridged, edited, Protestant versions, correct?

Matthew 3:11 "I indeed baptize you in water unto penance, but he that shall come after me, is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; He shall baptize you in the Holy Ghost and fire."

Matthew 3:16 "And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and coming upon him."

John 3:5 "Jesus answered: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God."

John 4:10 "Jesus answered, and said to her: If thou didst know the gift of God, and who he is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou perhaps wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water."

Titus 3:5 "Not by the works of justice, which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us, by the laver of regeneration, and renovation of the Holy Ghost."

1 Peter 3:20-21 "Which had been some time incredulous, when they waited for the patience of God in the days of Noe, when the ark was a building: wherein a few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. Whereunto baptism being of the like form, now saveth you also: not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the examination of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

Water baptism is not necessary. See Acts 16:29-31.

Your opinion only and a case of linguistic literalism. Acts 16:29-31 is not all inclusive. Belief alone is not enough.

Matthew 19:16-17 "And behold one came and said to him: Good master, what good shall I do that I may have life everlasting? Who said to him: Why askest thou me concerning good? One is good, God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."

Acts 16:33 "And he, taking them the same hour of the night, washed their stripes, and himself was baptized, and all his house immediately."

All references Douay-Rheims.