How does one get born again?

[Robert Lindstrom]

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Joh 3:5 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.

Born of the water and born of the Spirit is born AGAIN. Otherwise why did He say Born AGAIN? Except a man be born of the water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Many believe that we are already born of the water when we came into this world in our mother's womb.

Why be redundant with born of the water if we already have been from our mother's womb? Why repeat Himself? Why not just say, you must be born of the Spirit?



JESUS is talking about being born of the water and that is water baptism.

How does water baptism get rid of our sins? According to scripture when one goes down in that watery grave, one calls on the name of JESUS Christ and God does an operation right then and cuts away our sins from our spirit.

Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

We are spiritual Jews when we have our heart circumcised with the circumcision of Christ.


Col 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

So when we do this, we are buried with Him in baptism and He cuts our sins away in putting off the sins of the flesh by a spiritual scalpel, then when we come up out of that watery grave we are risen with Him THROUGH FAITH of the OPERATION of God. It is by our faith that this is done because God does this operation. It is NOT works but by our faith that He does this operation and removes the sins in our heart which is to say our spirit.

Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

If we are baptized into JESUS Christ, we are baptized into His death. We take on His name in baptism. That is the WHOLE reason He inherited this name JESUS from the Father so that He has a name above every name which will destroy the works of the devil.

Eph 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Eph 3:15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,


Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

1Pe 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
1Pe 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Water baptism does NOW save us. We never called on the nameJESUS in our water birth.

Paul the apostle had to do this. He saw JESUS and was given the will of God for his life, got healed from being blind AND STILL he was told to get baptized to wash his sins away by calling on the name of the Lord JESUS.

Act 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

So the bottom line is, JESUS does this operation that is done without hands when we go and get baptized in the name of JESUS Christ for the remission of our sins. He cuts the foreskin of our hearts by our faith, if we believe He does this, because without faith we will not please God.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Then when we receive the Holy Ghost, we are born of the Spirit.

Rom_8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Mar_16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Act 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Act 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Act 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Act 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Act 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Notice Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord JESUS. It was not a suggestion.

How did Peter know that they were filled with the Holy Ghost? For they heard them speak in tongues and magnify God.

What is the most unruly part of your body that does more damage than anything? Our tongue. What does God do here with it? He shows us that only He can rule such an unruly member.

 

[B-A-C]

I tend to agree with all you have said here.
Of course there are those who believe being born of water.. means natural birth.
There are also those who believe you get the Holy Spirit immediately upon the moment of salvation,
but there is another "baptism" of the Holy Spirit which is a separate event.

The gifts of the Spirit are not the only evidence of the Holy Spirit, but the fruits of the Spirit are also evidence
that someone has the Holy Spirit.

But this is a great question... I have seen at least a dozen answers.

You mention being baptized in the name of Jesus. (I also agree with this)
but it seems that being baptized in the name of Jesus, is NOT the same thing as being baptized in water.

Acts2:38; Acts 8:12; Acts 8:16; Acts 10:48; Acts 19:5; etc...

A couple of places, for example Acts 19....

Acts 19:1; It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples.
Acts 19:2; He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “No, we have not even heard whether [a]there is a Holy Spirit.”
Acts 19:3; And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.”

So it seems they were baptized in water by John the Baptist already.

Acts 19:4; Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”
Acts 19:5; When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

So then we see a second baptism here... "in the name of Jesus"

Acts 19:6; And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying.
Acts 19:7; There were in all about twelve men.

Finally we see a third baptism... the Holy Spirit. (which they didn't receive at the same time they were baptized by John).

 

[Waggles]

The gifts of the Spirit are not the only evidence of the Holy Spirit, but the fruits of the Spirit are also evidence
that someone has the Holy Spirit.

@Robert Lindstrom
NO - that is not scriptural. There is only one Bible evidence of being baptized in the Holy Ghost and fire - one proof only given by Jesus himself and affirmed
many times over in the Book of Acts and the epistles - they SHALL speak in other tongues.
Otherwise we end up with the confusion of competing claims so evident today. God is not the author of confusion. Unbelievers do that.
Jesus clearly and emphatically stated that "these signs SHALL follow them who believe" - to claim otherwise is to call Jesus a liar, and that his word is not true.
It also denies that the same experience as the Day of Pentecost and the Book of Acts is still happening today worldwide.
Sinners from all walks of life are being converted and born again by full immersion water baptism [burying their old life] and also receiving the Holy Spirit
[being filled with or baptized in the Spirit] with the BIBLE evidence of speaking in tongues [praying in the Spirit].

John 3:7-8 DRB
Wonder not that I said to thee: You must be born again.
The Spirit breatheth where he will and thou hearest his voice: but thou knowest not whence he cometh and whither he goeth.
So is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Converts at first are babes in Christ and then go on to grow and mature just as we do in our natural lives.
Hence there is much teaching and correction in the epistles to instruct the saints [the Spirit-filled Church] on righteousness and obedience and love and conversation,
for example Romans 12.
We progress in maturity and understanding and are expected in time to have discernment and knowledge of walking in the Spirit, and thus the fruit of the Spirit
should be evident in our lives. Worldly people should be able to clearly see our light by the work of the Spirit within us. Our testimony.

Galatians 5:
16 I say then: Walk in the spirit: and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the spirit: and the spirit against the flesh: For these are contrary one to another:
so that you do not the things that you would.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

 

[Waggles]

Born of the water and born of the Spirit is born AGAIN.

YES - I whole-heartedly agree with you. Pentecost is alive and well, despite so many in denial that signs and wonders are still available today.

I repented and came to seek the truth of the gospel and Jesus, after coming across printed testimonies of people whose lives where miraculously transformed
and healed by the gospel and the Holy Spirit.
On a Wednesday night the 30th October 1996 I was baptized by full immersion [in accordance with the scriptures] and 32 days later, on the 1st December 1996,
I received [was infilled, was baptized in] the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues exactly as Jesus and the scriptures proclaimed that I would.
On that very afternoon I was instantly healed and set free from 25 plus years of cigarette and marijuana smoking; from putting a needle into my veins [heroin and speed];
from drinking alcohol - instantly without withdrawal symptoms or any distress. My first of many many miracles and healings.

Mark 16: ASV
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.
17 And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to-day, yea and for ever. Hebrews 13:8

 

[Waggles]

Born of the water and born of the Spirit is born AGAIN.

YES - I whole-heartedly agree with you. Pentecost is alive and well, despite so many in denial that signs and wonders are still available today.

I repented and came to seek the truth of the gospel and Jesus, after coming across printed testimonies of people whose lives where miraculously transformed
and healed by the gospel and the Holy Spirit.
On a Wednesday night the 30th October 1996 I was baptized by full immersion [in accordance with the scriptures] and 32 days later, on the 1st December 1996,
I received [was infilled, was baptized in] the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues exactly as Jesus and the scriptures proclaimed that I would.
On that very afternoon I was instantly healed and set free from 25 plus years of cigarette and marijuana smoking; from putting a needle into my veins heroin and speed];
from drinking alcohol - instantly without withdrawal symptoms are any distress. My first of many many miracles and healings.

Mark 16: ASV
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.
17 And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to-day, yea and for ever. Hebrews 13:8

 

[B-A-C]

NO - that is not scriptural. There is only one Bible evidence of being baptized in the Holy Ghost and fire - one proof only given by Jesus himself and affirmed
many times over in the Book of Acts and the epistles - they SHALL speak in other tongues.

I'm not talking about the "initial evidence" here.
I'm talking about our daily walk. Someone doesn't have to do a miracle, or prophesy, or speak in tongues in order
for me to know they have the Holy Spirit. All they have to do is have love, peace, joy, etc...
I've never met a Pentecostal that speaks in tongues 24/7. But I've met many that show the fruit of the Spirit 24/7.

Now it's possible tongues are the "initial evidence". But the Bible says speaking in tongues is not for everyone.
Not even all Pentecostals.

1 Cor 12:8;For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;
1 Cor 12:9; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
1 Cor 12:10; and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.
1 Cor 12:11; But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

1 Cor 12:30; All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they?
1 Cor 12:31; But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way.

 

[Waggles]

Now it's possible tongues are the "initial evidence". But the Bible says speaking in tongues is not for everyone.
Not even all Pentecostals.

@Robert Lindstrom
You do not know what you are writing about.
These verses are about the gifts distributed individually within the Church (and particularly for the functioning of the Church).
Each Spirit-filled saint has access to these gifts as needed for both themselves and for within the good functioning of the Church.
A pastor with wisdom and knowledge is beneficial. But these gifts are not limited to just pastors and elders. Even new converts can be blessed with such if
they desire and pray for this. Everybody gets the gift of faith when they receive the Spirit, but all need to be strengthened and increased in faith from time-to-time,
particularly during tribulation. The Spirit gives gifts on a need by need basis, but also distributed throughout the Church so that all the different members can access
and use these gifts to edify and encourage each other.

to another various kinds of tongues,

KJV diverse kinds of tongues

All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they?

Many who quote this do so out of context and without understanding.
1Corinthians 14:22
Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not,
but for them which believe.
1Corinthians 14:26
How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation.
Let all things be done unto edifying.

This is where the verses that you quoted from 1Corinthians 12 become applicable to the proper conduct of a Pentecostal Church meeting.
One person will speak in tongues. Another will speak an interpretation. To a maximum of three times only. All done decently and in order.
Then up to a maximum of three who will prophesy.

So in the Church, no not all speak in tongues, and no not all interpret, etc.
But the verse is "to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:"
Again this truly only makes sense to those where ALL speak in tongues; for we all know that in a proper Church meeting when those who exercise the voice
gift of tongues that this speaking is quite different in style and delivery to their normal everyday prayer tongue.

1Corinthians 14:39-40
Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
Let all things be done decently and in order.

 

[Waggles]

@B-A-C @Robert Lindstrom
1Corinthians 13:8-10
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

These verses are often quoted and used by non-Pentecostal believers to prove that speaking in tongues as the sign of being baptized in the Holy Spirit has been
done away with. That the Apostolic gospel is no more.
But these verses do not state that tongues have ceased. But rather our limited human efforts at being spiritual shall cease when we are transformed in the
twinkling of an eye and are raised up to meet Jesus in the air. >then that which is in part shall be done away< the glass darkly for we are still Earth bound.
What is done away with is our limited understanding and knowledge. When we pray in tongues God and the angels understand what the Spirit is praying, but
we do not. When we are transformed and become one with Jesus, then we will know, then we will understand fully. Tongues will no longer be a mystery.
Perhaps due to telepathy as spiritual beings we will not physically talk but communicate spirit to spirit. Who knows??
1John 3:2
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Jesus stated categorically Mark 16:17
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
He did not qualify this with any time frame; such as, for a season; or the first generation;
Tongues disappeared from the Church and the last verses of Mark 16 were mutilated and slashed, through the work of anti-Christ that corrupted the original
spiritual gospel into a worldly State religious gospel, upholding the power and privilege of the priests and monks. From spiritual to political.

No where in the New Testament does it state that tongues is only for the original first century Church. The scriptures promote one gospel, one faith, one experience,
one baptism [water and Spirit], one Lord, one Church...

Interestingly, when Martin Luther and others began the Reformation again such persons where able to pray in tongues and access the spiritual gifts.
Luther's translation of the Bible into German is regarded as a truly inspired work. Equivalent to the KJV, but by only one person.
Luther and others experienced a Holy Spirit revival for their times and had the words to speak [as Jesus said the Holy Ghost would do] against their Roman
Papal adversaries.

The fact that worldwide there is also right now Holy Spirit revival going on just as in the Book of Acts, again reinforces that the original gospel of salvation -
Acts 2:38 with the Bible evidence of speaking in tongues - is still valid, is still scriptural, is still truth.

John 4:
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Isaiah 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

 

[amadeus2]

When a child is born naturally, he comes out of the darkness of his mother's womb into the natural light. At the first they say the child is unable to see clearly, but eventually as he grows his eyes learn to focus and identify individuals and things.

Spiritually, every person is born dead... the inheritance from his first parents, Adam and Eve, and every person is spiritually blind. So wouldn't we be born spiritually (born again) when we it we begin see the Light, which is Jesus? At first, as in the natural, our vision is poor and out of focus, but eventually if we grow will we not move from seeing through a "glass darkly" to "face to face" [I Cor 13:12]?

The natural child may be born hearing sounds, but he has no understanding. He is effectively deaf to the words of his parents and others, but eventually as he grows and learns he will gain understanding. This is also a part of the spiritual growth of a "born again" child of God.

Being born again is only the beginning of our walk with God. We must learn to walk and talk and hear and see as God directs to endure with Him to the end.

 

[Born Again 2004]

Why be redundant with born of the water if we already have been from our mother's womb? Why repeat Himself? Why not just say, you must be born of the Spirit?

Jesus was talking to Nicodemus and was trying to simplify it for edification. "You must be Born Again...of the spirit......your second birth. A bit of a play on words....obviously, as a human, you can't be born again of the spirit (spiritual birth) , if you haven't been born of the womb....your physical birth! Every human has a physical birth...not all will have a second birth...a spiritual birth!

 

[Bendito]

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Joh 3:5 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.

Born of the water and born of the Spirit is born AGAIN. Otherwise why did He say Born AGAIN? Except a man be born of the water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Many believe that we are already born of the water when we came into this world in our mother's womb.

Why be redundant with born of the water if we already have been from our mother's womb? Why repeat Himself? Why not just say, you must be born of the Spirit?



JESUS is talking about being born of the water and that is water baptism.

How does water baptism get rid of our sins? According to scripture when one goes down in that watery grave, one calls on the name of JESUS Christ and God does an operation right then and cuts away our sins from our spirit.

Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

We are spiritual Jews when we have our heart circumcised with the circumcision of Christ.


Col 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

So when we do this, we are buried with Him in baptism and He cuts our sins away in putting off the sins of the flesh by a spiritual scalpel, then when we come up out of that watery grave we are risen with Him THROUGH FAITH of the OPERATION of God. It is by our faith that this is done because God does this operation. It is NOT works but by our faith that He does this operation and removes the sins in our heart which is to say our spirit.

Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

If we are baptized into JESUS Christ, we are baptized into His death. We take on His name in baptism. That is the WHOLE reason He inherited this name JESUS from the Father so that He has a name above every name which will destroy the works of the devil.

Eph 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Eph 3:15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,


Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

1Pe 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
1Pe 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Water baptism does NOW save us. We never called on the nameJESUS in our water birth.

Paul the apostle had to do this. He saw JESUS and was given the will of God for his life, got healed from being blind AND STILL he was told to get baptized to wash his sins away by calling on the name of the Lord JESUS.

Act 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

So the bottom line is, JESUS does this operation that is done without hands when we go and get baptized in the name of JESUS Christ for the remission of our sins. He cuts the foreskin of our hearts by our faith, if we believe He does this, because without faith we will not please God.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Then when we receive the Holy Ghost, we are born of the Spirit.

Rom_8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Mar_16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Act 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Act 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Act 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Act 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Act 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Notice Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord JESUS. It was not a suggestion.

How did Peter know that they were filled with the Holy Ghost? For they heard them speak in tongues and magnify God.

What is the most unruly part of your body that does more damage than anything? Our tongue. What does God do here with it? He shows us that only He can rule such an unruly member.

Keep reading your verse my friend.....Born of water and of the spirit....That which is born of the flesh is flesh..That which is born of spirit is spirit....
You cannot be born of the spirit if you are not born of the flesh.... You were born of the flesh......Now you must be born of the spirit. Not complicated.

Nobody anywhere in the bible was saved or born by baptism.

 

[Waggles]

Born of water and of the spirit

That's right - the two baptisms go together and are both fundamental commandments to obey:
1. full immersion water baptism written of throughout Acts and the epistles. Also commanded by Jesus himself in the gospels.
2. Holy Spirit baptism - again what the entire New Testament is all about - for both Jew and Gentile - the mystery of God revealed...
Also a commandment by Jesus himself.

Hebrews 6:1-2
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works,
and of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

 

[Born Again 2004]

That's right - the two baptisms go together and are both fundamental commandments to obey:
1. full immersion water baptism written of throughout Acts and the epistles

Why isn't water immersion baptism considered a work, when so much of it requires man to do something? How is that grace? And, is everyone Born Spiritually when they are immersed?

 

[Waggles]

Why isn't water immersion baptism considered a work, when so much of it requires man to do something? How is that grace? And, is everyone Born Spiritually when they are immersed?

Why do people believe or opine that to be obedient to a commandment is work?
Jesus commanded that believers /disciples needed to be baptized by full immersion. It is not work to do so. It is not work to take communion. It is not work to do
acts of love and kindness. It is not work to walk in the Spirit.
Grace is for those who as believers submit to and accept the atoning act of sacrifice by Jesus to bring in the New Testament.
Grace is for believers who want to walk in righteousness, but as we all know yet stumble and trip up from time to time.
We receive grace by believing and complying with gospel of salvation.
This gospel is fully explained not only in the four gospels (and Acts) but also in the epistles from Romans to Jude.
Works - our choices - our actions - our conversation - our integrity - our light - do not give us directly our salvation: they are the fruit or outward expressions
of our commitment and joy for the promise of our salvation in believing the gospel.
Jesus instituted two commandments or two sacraments: baptism and Holy Communion.
Both are required, not as works to obtain salvation, but as disciples we follow and submit to the teachings of our Spiritual master, our Lord.

1Peter 3:21 KJV
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God)
by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
1Peter 3:21 ISV
Baptism, which is symbolized by that water, now saves you also, not by removing dirt from the body, but by asking God for a clear conscience based on the
resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah,

Romans 6:1-4
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father,
even so we also should walk in newness of life.

 

[Born Again 2004]

Baptism, which is symbolized by that water, now saves you also, not by removing dirt from the body, but by asking God for a clear conscience based on the
resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah,

Are you saying that this can only be accomplished by immersion?

 

[Born Again 2004]

Jesus commanded that believers /disciples needed to be baptized by full immersion. It is not work to do so. It is not work to take communion. It is not work to do

Communion is not a process involved in salvation

 

[Waggles]

Communion is not a process involved in salvation

Not from what I read - it is a commandment - if you go on refusing to obey a commandment, then where does that leave you in your standing
with the Lord. Is it likely that Jesus will declare "Well done thou good and faithful servant" - if we deliberately choose to disobey and follow our
own self will?
Do not confuse works with obedience. [usually good works will earn you favour with God, I'm a good person, I'm OK]
There are actions required by believers to comply with the gospel and living the life of a Christian.

Peter a disciple and apostle spoke these words by the Holy Spirit:
37 Stung to the heart by these words, they said to Peter and the rest of the Apostles, "Brethren, what are we to do?"
38 "Repent," replied Peter, "and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, with a view to the remission of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 For to you belongs the promise, and to your children, and to all who are far off, whoever the Lord our God may call."
Acts 2:37-39 [Weymouth Version]

Actions of obedience 1. repent, 2. believe, 3. get baptized (for the forgiveness of your sins)
4. pray/seek to receive the Holy Spirit (with the Bible evidence of speaking forth in a new tongue).
Obedience is not works. Fulfilling the gospel requires obedience and discipline and study.
Is praying, works? Is Bible study, works? Is love, works?

Titus 2:11-14 - the following requires from us actions or works to achieve this: [Weymouth Version]
11 For the grace of God has displayed itself with healing power to all mankind,
12 training us to renounce ungodliness and all the pleasures of this world, and to live sober, upright, and pious lives at the present time,
13 in expectation of the fulfilment of our blessed hope--the Appearing in glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 who gave Himself for us to purchase our freedom from all iniquity, and purify for Himself a people who should be specially His own, zealous for doing good works.

 

[Waggles]

Are you saying that this can only be accomplished by immersion?

NO, not I. The scriptures, the Word of God clearly states that baptism is only by full immersion.
And at an age of understanding so that a convert can repent, and confess their faith.

 

[Waggles]

How is that grace?

Grace comes afterward. First comes believing. Then obedience. Then grace is a reward for those who come to accept and believe the gospel of salvation.
The blood of Jesus washes us clean and renews us day by day. We are expected to walk in the Spirit and bear fruit of the Spirit.
Grace is dispensed to us because as mere mortals we are not yet perfect and without sin.
In the OT there was always severe punishment for transgression of the Law, but in the NT we come under grace [through the Holy Spirit] and we
are not taken out the back and stoned to death for our transgressions.

We are not saved by grace, we are saved by believing in and living the gospel.
Romans 8: KJV
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin,
condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Romans 10:17 KJV
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

[Born Again 2004]

Is it likely that Jesus will declare "Well done thou good and faithful servant" - if we deliberately choose to disobey and follow our
own self will?

I think you meant "will not declare". Choosing to disobey of course is no Christian!