What does born again mean?

Context of Jn 3:5 “born again”

John1:26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; (John prepared the way by baptism)

John 2:6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. (Old covenant prefiguring of baptism, purification from sin)(His disciples believed because the ever Virgin mother of God interceded Jn 2:11)

John3:5 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. (Baptism)

(Key verse! Actions speak louder than words: verse 22)

John 3:22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. 23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.(Baptism / water)

John 4:1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John.

Born again means Baptismal regeneration!


baptismal regeneration!
A new creation in Christ! 2 cor 5:17
Jn 1 JTB prepared the way by baptism!
Jn 2 the waters of purification are OT prefigurement of baptism!
Jn 3:5 born again means baptism
Jn 3:22 they immediately went to the river! Not to preach “accept Christ as personal lord and savior”
But to BAPTIZE!!!

The Christian sacrament* of baptismal regeneration is required for the new covenant and salvation!

*this promise acts 2:38-39 is a sacred oath from God ez 36:25-27 and a sacred oath is a sacrament!

Initiation!!!


Faith & Baptism is the initiation of the new and eternal covenant!

You cannot enter on you’re own or by “faith alone”!

You cannot receive Christ or grace by “faith alone”!

“Accept Christ as you’re personal lord and savior” is fundamentalist tradition not found scripture!

Jn 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.

2 pet 1: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Baptismal regeneration a new creation in Christ! 2 Cor 5:17

A sacrament is an oath! A sacred promise from God! Ez 36:25-27
Acts 2:38-39 (this promise)

No baptism no grace!

A sacrament is an outward sign for all men including infants And a gift from God to help us see what he does inwardly and invisibly by his grace!

As grace Washes our souls in the merits of Jesus blood from original and personal sin, so the outward action of washing is visible!

without the outward action the inward action cannot take place!

Jn 3:5 Titus 3:5 water and washing
acts 22:16 wash away your sin!

Jn 3:5 Born again BY water and the spirit! Not by “faith alone”!

They did not go to Jerusalem and preach “accept Christ as you’re personal Lord and savior “

They went to the river (water) and they baptized! Jn 3:22

A covenant requires an outward sign of the inward action of grace!

Ez 36:25 I will sprinkle you with clean water and you shall be made white as snow.

Acts 22:16 washing away your sins.

Eph 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

1 pet 3:21 baptism saves you.

You cannot enter on you’re own or by faith alone!

2 pet 1: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Heb 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,


Baptism!

God breathed life into Adam, gen 2:7 and we received this life from our fathers!

Christ breathed on the apostles our spiritual fathers, we receive the new covenant life of God’s grace from them thru faith & baptism! Jn 20:21-23 Mk 16:16 acts 8:36-38 eph 2

Born again! Born from above!

'The Father has set his seal' on Christ (John 6:27) and also seals us in him (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:23, 4:30). Because this seal indicates the indelible effect of the anointing with the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of Baptism,

Baptism indeed is the seal of eternal life." 87 The faithful Christian who I has "kept the seal" until the end, remaining faithful to the demands of his Baptism, will be able to depart this life "marked with the sign of faith," 88 with his baptismal faith, in expectation of the blessed vision of God - the consummation of faith - and in the hope of resurrection.

St. Paul tells the faithful at Ephesus that they have been “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” This is in terms of an indelible character imprinted on the soul in the sacraments of baptism and confirmation. It is not as if this invisible mark is simply decorative. Rather, through it, we are enabled to participate in Christ’s mission and in his offices of priest, prophet, and king. Eph 1:13

Sealed by God eph 1:13 sealed by God (ez 36:25-27) in the ark of salvation by baptism just as Noah was sealed by God in the ark of the flood gen 7:16

1 Pet 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.

21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us!
(Ark of Noah a type of the church, member of Christ and his church and salvation by baptism!)
(Outside the ark of Noah none were saved, outside the church (the ark of salvation) none are saved!)

Sealed in the ark, sealed in the church the ark of salvation by God thru baptism!



Christ instituted the holy church for the salvation of all men, (repent and believe the gospel, with the institution of the sacraments to convey grace to sanctify souls!


Effects of faith & baptism!

Ez 36:25-27 washed in baptism, with a new heart and the Spirit
Jn 3:5 born again in baptism
Mk 16:16 faith & baptist
Acts 2:38 repentance & baptism
Acts 8:36-38 faith & baptism
Acts 22:16 baptism washes away sin
Rom 6:3 died with Christ
Col 2:12 risen with Christ
1 cor 12:13 baptized into the church
Gal 3:27 by baptism put on Christ
2 Tim 1:10 eph 2:1 and 5 brought to life
2 cor 5:17 new creation
Eph 1:13 sealed by the Holy Spirit
Eph 4:5 one faith, one baptism
Eph 5:26 faith and baptism
Titus 3:5 baptismal regeneration
1 pet 1:2 washed in Christ’s blood
1 pet 2:9 the kingdom of light
1 pet 3:20-21 baptism saves us!

“Faith alone” accomplishes nothing!
1 cor 13:2 even all faith (alone) without charity avails NOTHING!!!

Faith and baptism!

Scripture says none of the things about “Faith alone”!

2 Peter 1:11
For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The Christian sacrament of baptism is the Initiation into the new covenant and must be ministered to you by the apostles!

Salvation by baptism. Never saw that one coming.

This says it best ------

Forerunner Commentary

John 3:5


Consider water in terms of baptism. Even in baptismal contexts, water is used figuratively. Water is shown, not as a cleansing agent, but as a type of death, burial, and resurrection. In baptism, water becomes a grave from which we must be spiritually resurrected, not a symbol of life and regeneration. Paul makes this clear in Romans 6:1-8:

Our receipt of God's Holy Spirit occurs when we are spiritually resurrected from our watery grave and by God's grace cleansed through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.

God's Spirit gives birth to the new man as a child of God. It is not the waters of baptism that cleanse us but Christ's blood and the receipt of God's Holy Spirit.

Man is fundamentally a spirit being. The spirit of man is the part that died when Adam disobeyed in Eden. God knows that the spirit of man cannot be patched up. Dead is dead. So He has to remove the old, dead spirit and give us a new, alive spirit.

We come into life by birth and we leave by death. In order to remove the dead spirit, we must die. This creates a problem. If we die, there is only the judgement. So God includes us in Jesus when we believe. Since Jesus died, we die too. This solves the problem of the dead spirit. But Jesus rose from the dead. We also rise from the dead with Him, so we receive a new, alive spirit.

These truths are not easy to understand. There are many scriptures that explain what God has done in Christ. Most people who are born again know that something within fundamentally changed when they received Christ. For me, it was instantaneous. I did not know what had happened, but I was a different person.

To be born again is to receive Christ. John 1:12 & 13: "But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.…" To receive Christ requires that we realise that we are sinners and only Jesus can save us. It is far more than intellectual acceptance of facts. It requires repentance, which is a change of mind. We see that sin separates us from God and we turn away from it.

The work of the Holy Spirit is to convict us of sin. When we realise that we are sinners, under God's judgement, we will cry out, "What must I do to be saved?" If we are honest and real with God, He will reveal the salvation that He has bought for us through the sacrifice of His Son.

This link takes you to articles that will help you.

https://www.christianlife.org.au/the-way

Eph " that, regarding your previous way of life, you put off your old self [completely discard your former nature], which is being corrupted through deceitful desires, and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude], and put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God’s image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth [living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation]. "

Second Corinthians 5:17 it says, ‘Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.’ " As one man of God said it "There was a time when I was interested in things like you folks are interested in, but since then I’ve been made a new creature in Christ Jesus.”

That new spirit happens when we believe in trust in Jesus Christ John 3:16-17. Then what He starts again as its written He will finish. If one wants to know what Christianity is read Act's. That is Christianity and is today.

NO!
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. [ 1,,G909, baptismos ] Washing:

denotes the act of washing, ablution," with special reference to purification, Mark 7:4 (in some texts, Mark 7:8); Hebrews 6:2, "baptisms;" Hebrews 9:10, "washings.

(MY NOTE: Here [ 1,,G909, baptismos ] Vine's translates based on verses highlighted (Mk 7:8. Heb 6:2, 9:40. A water purification/ablution ritual process.

[ 2,,G3067, loutron ] Washing: "a bath, a laver" (akin to louo, See above), is used metaphorically of the Word of God, as the instrument of spiritual cleansing, Ephesians 5:26; in Titus 3:5, of "the washing of regeneration" (See REGENERATION). In the Sept., Song of Songs 4:2; Song of Songs 6:6.

(MY NOTE: Here [ 2,,G3067, loutron ] Vine's translators highlight, based on the context used [ 2,,G3067, loutron ] metaphorically of the Word of God, as the instrument of spiritual cleansing. Note Titus 3:5 is highlighted.
https://studybible.info/vines/Washing

(MY NOTE: There is 1 (SPIRITUAL) baptism need for salvation (Eph 4:5). 1 SPIRIT that preforms this (SPIRITUAL) baptism (1 Cor 12:13). It is a spiritual circumcision covenant "made without hands" & without water (Col 2:11). Water baptism & spiritual regeneration aren't the same thing. Only Christ (Matt 3:11) can spiritually regenerate/quicken = make you spiritually alive, via the spiritual baptism with His indwelling Holy Spirit.

Born again is when you obey the commandments of God to confess Jesus as Lord and Savior, and repent of your sins and have your sins forgiven and removed , and receive the Spirit to lead you to be Christlike.

Without the Spirit you cannot be a child of God.

It is all about receiving the Spirit to be saved for then we are compatible with God in a spiritual sense which the kingdom of God is within you as you display the ways of God on Earth and not the ways of the flesh.

Which God said it is your sins that separate yourself from Him.

The Bible says that some people have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof which they deny the Spirit leading them so they are led of the flesh, and they are ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth which they hold on to sin and believe they still have salvation.

Which the people in the flesh cannot please God for you can only please God if you are led of the Spirit.

The Bible says if a person sins wilfully after having received the knowledge of the truth then there is no more sacrifice for sin.

Which means if they hold on to sin then the blood of Christ cannot wash it away for God will not take away a sin they are holding on to.

A person led of the Spirit might sin but they will repent of the sin and not hold on to the sin and move forward in the Spirit.

A person led of the flesh will sin and they will repent of the sin when they do it but not get rid of the sin and hold on to the sin.

They might get rid of some sins and not want them again but they will hold on to sin because they are led of the flesh.

Let's take a look at the context:
John 3
4Nicodemus 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? 5Jesus 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.

The mother's womb contains water. When a child is born, it is said that "the water breaks."

[QUO What does born again mean? - Christian Chat Rooms & Forums TE="studentoftheword, post: 4996413, member: 311993"]No it does not ---refer to WATER BAPTISM ----it refers to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit ------Water Baptism was done by John the Baptist for Repentance only -------that did not save anyone -----that just made the people ready to be Baptised by the Holy Spirit which came after Jesus assented into Heaven -

Water Baptism today is a profession of one's Faith ----just getting Baptised by Water WILL NOT SAVE YOU ------ you need the Holy Spirit indwelling in you to make your Spirit Holy and acceptable to God ------to get into Heaven[/QUOTE]

“Water Baptism was done by John the Baptist for Repentance only”

“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭1:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭24:46-

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;

but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,

and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost….. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:37-38, 41‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Baptism is about Jesus death for our sins

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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. 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. For he that is dead is freed from sin.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:3-4, 6-7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

it is the New Testament circumcision of the sins of the flesh

“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: 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.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:11-12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

it is also recognition into Abraham’s family by the blood of Jesus abrahams seed so we can inherit the promise of everlasting life in his kingdom

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:27-29‬ ‭KJV‬‬

getting baptized is just part of what someone does when they hear and believe what baptism is for

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26:28‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,


and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:38‬ ‭

receving the Holy Spirit doesn’t remit our sins believing Jesus does for our sins and repenting and getting baptized into his death re it’s our sins the Holy Spirit comes to anyone that hears and believes the gospel but baptism is still for repentance and remission of sins because you believe Jesus died for your sins

“And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

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

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:42-44, 46-48‬ ‭

Baptism is just what it’s always been receiving the gift of the holy spirit because we believe , is what’s new it doesn’t replace baptism for remission of sins in Christs name it’s just that now we receive the Holy Ghost like Jesus said his disciples would “ water “ baptism is the only baptism there is , receiving the Holy Ghost from Jesus is given to all believers

Hello @ephfourfive, the Lord seemed to chide Nicodemus a bit (as not only a Pharisee, but much more, as the "teacher of Israel") for not knowing what it meant to be "born again" .. e.g. John 3:9-10. I believe that the OT does a more thorough job of defining what that term means (and what it entails) in the following passage (the passage that I believe the Lord Jesus was referring to as the one that Nicodemus should have known very well).


"Regeneration" or "quickening" refers to bringing something that is dead to life, in this case to "spiritual" life. While we are born alive "physically", the Bible tells us that we are born dead "spiritually" (as a result of our progenitor's sin in the Garden of God). This is why we need to be "born again" or "born from above" to "spiritual" life, so that we can finally understand and accept both God and the things of God, which are all, of course, "spiritual" in nature .. e.g. 1 Corinthians 2:12-16 (please take special note of v14's description of a "natural" rather than a "spiritual" man or woman).

"Regeneration/quickening" is also referred to as God "making us alive" (spiritually) in Christ (see v5 below).

As far as the waters of baptism being salvific, I assume that you hold to that belief because you are Roman Catholic, yes (your user name and favorite verse, Ephesians 4:5 & Luke 1:38 respectively, being a bit of a give-away too ). Assuming that this is indeed the case, I won't waste my time or yours trying to tell you why I believe that it isn't true, since it is certainly one of the central tenets of your church, and as such, a belief that you, no doubt, will continue to stand firm in.

God bless you!!

~Deuteronomy
p.s. - this is mostly a blind post, so I apologize if everything that I just said has already been discussed!!

Born again means regenerated by the Holy Spirit .. born again into God's Kingdom and Family. John chapter 3.

Born first naturally by the womb from mum. Later.. believing Jesus is God, that He died and rose again.. lived sinless. That by believing in Him you have eternal life. From believing this.. being born again into the Kingdom and Family.

No water baptism involved. Water baptism is a picture of the salvation already given, and a pre-requisite to join one of God's local churches. 1 Corinthians 12:13

It is a person's spirit that is born again (having been dead through sin and trespasses), through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, not their soul. At the new birth, the soul is adopted into the Family of God, the spirit being renewed (i.e., made alive);. 1Thess 5v23, Titus 3v5, Rom 8v15, 1Peter 1v2,3, Eph 2v1,8.

The first resurrection occurs at the second coming of Christ, when the dead body of the believer (who has been in Heaven) is raised to life again, at the Last Trumpet (that is the 7th Trumpet). 1Cor 15v50-54, Rev 11v15-18, John 11v24, John 5v29, 1Thess 4v13-17.

I think it takes a bit of a before and after experience to understand what it is. We can read about it, but Jesus was a bit cryptic, saying things like "The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." While that's fascinating, what does that actually mean to someone who hasn't experienced it?

Well, being "born again" is another way of saying born from above, born from heaven, born of the Spirit, or born of God.

So what is being born again exactly? Paul put it like this and, in my experiece, I agree:

Romans 6
15What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! 16Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. 18You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

19I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. 20When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Again, Jesus is the first resurrection, not the bodies of men. Jesus resurrected the dead souls of men. What does resurrection mean?
John 11:25 KJV
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

1. Hearing of the word of God from another saved person
Faith comes by hearing. Romans 10:17
Only good trees bear good fruit. Matthew 7:17
I see men as trees. Mark 8:24

2. God applying that hearing to the soul by washing of regeneration (resurrection) and renewing of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5

It's God's choice.
Many are called few are chosen. Matthew 22:14

But the water is an outward sign that signifies the washing of our souls by the grace of God thru the power of the spirit? Thanks

ez 36:25-27? Thanks

Now I know why Christ established an authoritative church with an apostolic priesthood to teach and sanctify all men! Matt 28:19 Matt 16:18-19 Matt 18:17-18 Jn 20:21:23 eph 2:20

Scripture references to baptismal regeneration:

Psalm 1:3
Psalm 23:2
Song of Solomon 4:15
Jer 2:13
Jer 17:13
Zech 14:8
Jn 3:5
Jn 5:3
Titus 3:5
Rev 7:17
Rev 22:1

Water flowing from the temple

Rev 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.


Baptism vs faith alone

Prophecy

“Baptism” / “Faith alone”

Ez 36:25-27 Nothing in scripture

Scripture

“Baptism “ / “Faith alone”
Matt 28:19 nothing found
Mk 16:16 “
Jn 3:5 “
Acts 2:38-39 “
Acts 8:36-38 “
Acts 22:16 “
Rom 6:3 “
Eph 4:5 “
Col 2:12 “
1 cor 12:13 “
Gal 3:27 “
2 Tim 1:10 “
eph 2:1 and 5 “
2 cor 5:17 “
Eph 1:13 “
Eph 5:26 “
Titus 3:5 “
1 pet 1:2 “
1 pet 2:9 “
1 pet 3:20-21 “
2 pet 1:11 “

Not “faith alone”

1 cor 13:2 even all faith (alone) without charity avails NOTHING.

Phil 1:29 not called to “faith alone”
But also to suffer for the sake of Christ.

James 2:24 justified by work and not by “faith alone”.

James 2:20 Faith without works is dead.

“Faith alone” accomplishes nothing.
“Faith alone” not found in scripture.

Three things are eternal; faith, hope, and charity. 1 cor 13:13

Not “faith alone”.

Jesus Christ is Our salvation:

Truth / doctrine Jn 14:6
Sacrifice / sacraments Jn 1:16-17 Jn 1:29
Christ is in His person is our salvation Lk 2:30

How can it be “faith alone” Christ is not only a doctrine or set of beliefs but He is our Passover sacrifice and He is our salvation, His person, Lk 2:30 I have seen my Salvation!
We must have union with Christ by faith and baptism.


Faith & Love:

Faith:
Intellectual accent to the truths revealed by Christ and taught by His church. Matt 28:19 eph 4:5 Jude 1:3

Love:
Thy will be done: Matt 6:10 heb 10:9

Matt 21:28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.

30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.

31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

Must bear Fruit:

Luke 13:9
And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

Jn -5:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

1 cor 13:2 not faith alone
Deut 6:5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
1 cor 13:13 THREE things are eternal, faith, hope, and charity.

Faith and baptism required for salvation: Mk 16:16 Matt 28:19 Jn 3:5 & 3:22 acts 2:38-39 acts 8:36-38 acts 22:16 eph 4:5 Titus 3:5 1 pet 3:20-21

Thanks