It's more than a symbol (i.e. baptism). God works THROUGH this visible symbol. Otherwise, at what point are we made children of God?
When we believe.John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:Christ Himself corrects Nicodemus' idea that salvation has anything to do with the fleshy birth ...
Correct.
Jesus makes it clear to Nicodemus that the new birth is ... spiritual in nature (i.e. of the Spirit).
John said that John (the Baptist) baptized with water, but Jesus' baptism ... was of the Spirit.Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
___________________________________________________________
Mark 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
___________________________________________________________
Luke 3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
___________________________________________________________
John 1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
You responded : "When we believe.
John said that John (the Baptist) baptized with water, but Jesus' baptism ... was of the Spirit.
No doubt. John's baptism was a ritual. It is Baptism backed up by Christ's Spirit that saves, though, not only belief!
"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard [this], they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid [his] hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied." Acts 19:1-6
The immediate section before, Luke again distinguishes between the baptism of John and the Baptism of the Spirit with regards to Apollos. From above, it should be clear that the Spirit does NOT come upon men "merely" at the point of belief.
The Scriptures is rife with verses that talk about the salvific action of the ritual of Baptism conducted so as the Spirit comes upon men. Faith doesn't bring the Spirit to men. God sends the Spirit when the Church executes Christ's command to baptize in the name of the Trinity.
By the way, nice to hear from you again.
Regards