**Titus 3:4-7 ....but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,....**
Written by Paul to Titus, a convert of his, that was bishop of the church in Crete.
Paul tells about his own conversion, to king Agrippa (in Acts 22:16); where Damascus disciple Ananias said to an obviously repentant Paul:
“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord”.
...a figure, not literal.