Let's look at the verses in context, I'll use the ESV

John 3: 1-15
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

Nicodemus is seeking knowledge. Being a Pharisee he is the in the upper class of all the Jews...his birth, his lineage, his position--top shelf in his day. Jesus tells him to get into the Kingdom of heaven he has to be born again. Say what? Nicodemus doesn't get it....he is a Pharisee of important birth, why in the world should he have to be born again. So he asked the stupid question of how...go back into the womb?

Jesus answers with more clarity. And this is the important information to focus on.

5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Born again by default means there are two births. Jesus explains it as a first birth of the flesh (human, carnal, sinful, corrupt) and a second birth. Was the second birth physical? No. It is a new Spiritual birth. Hence the saying where Jesus expounds from verse 3. Jesus unpacks the "born again" mystery for Nicodemus to understand. HE tells him of two births, one physical (first physical birth) and one Spiritual (Holy Spirit regeneration, renewal--See 1 Peter 1:2, 1 cor 6:11, and Titus 3:5).

We know this because of verses 6, 7 and 8 and how they expound even more. The nature of the change Jesus is talking about is not in our physical selves, but in our Spiritual being. We cannot repair the corrupt human foundation, we must start with a new spiritual foundation which is Christ, the solid rock. The Spirit then washes us clean, regenerating, renewing us. Now the Spirit is often linked with water, being the life source from above even back to Genesis. Of water and Spirit is the same....born again.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.[c] 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

The flesh is the flesh, not the spirit. Our sinful fleshly bodies from our first birth have no place with God and Heaven where all is Holy and Perfect. Our flesh is interwoven with our corrupt and sinful hearts after the fall...so even our soul is lacking. So we must be born anew. Not physically, but spiritually, born again...the second birth.

The second birth is 100% through the regeneration and sanctification of the Spirit. The Spirit washes away and cleanses us like water does, preparing our hearts to abide in Christ and Christ in us. The use of water reveals two things, one physical and one spiritual: Our first human natural birth, a condition we cannot correct on our own. And our heart which can be renewed, regenerated, reborn by the washing of the Holy Spirit.

As we know, Jesus further commands us, as do the various disciples and apostles, that external baptism is to be performed, the physical water that signifies our renewed life in Christ, having been internally spiritual washed by the baptism of the Spirit and regenerated from the corrupt old self.

For there to be any real change there has to be a heart change first. The Holy Spirit circumcises the heart, baptizing our hearts in Christ--regenerating and renewing us to new life where we then are obedient to the Word and are externally baptized in water as a sign to all that we are abiding in Christ.

The discussion is good for study and seeking a deeper understanding. Bottom line is: Believe in Christ Jesus as the Gospel message spells out, confess, repent, be baptized, share the Gospel, Grow in Christ...wait with patient hope for the day HE calls us home.

"eight souls were saved by water."
Taken literally we wouldn't need to be dunked in water,a boat ride would be enough.

(not putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God),
Right here Peter is telling us that it's not the baptism of water that saves us but the baptism into Christ which changes our heart to a good conscious toward God,or in other words removes the guilt of sin.

You can't see this because all you can see in these verses are the words "saved by water" which your doctrine falsely teaches.

300, I was writing this after you had posted you were done with the thread. So just read if you wish. I appreciate your input on the thread!!!!

As to your 2 questions, I have no idea the answer.

If we were God, we'd know 100% correctly every answer and every bi of theology or doctrine.

But we are not. So there will be disagreements by those who are God fearing, God loving, real followers of Christ. But while we may interpret or read the Scriptures with some difference, we must never let that get in the way of our unity as a body of believers. We are unified in our love of Christ, our true Gospel we all share, and our anticipatory hope to be with Him in glory forever.

I gave you one example but you wouldn't accept it as new testament, though it was in the new testament. Do you want to give me a definition of what you consider new testament? If you do I'll try.

You worked to get saved and I work because I am saved... It's been a good discussion but I'm just gonna view from the sidelines from now on.

Show scripture that states that baptism serves no purpose, show scripture where baptism is not required or commanded. You have been shown scripture after scripture where it was commanded, that it does save us, that it is part of being born again.

I am also waiting for a response to how we "obey the gospel".
As far as your earlier apology; no need it is becoming clear based upon other comments that your original statement toward me is your true self.

Don't start arguing guys. This thread has made it this far without it and arguing brings nothing to it. I'm talking to BOTH sides here.

John 7:37-39
37 Now in the last and great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38 He that believeth in me, as saith the Scripture, out of his belly shall flow rivers of water of life.
39 (This spake he of the Spirit, which they that believed in him, should receive: for the holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

300, I don't think there is one person here that has not be baptized that has been saved because God instructed it. Some just see the water baptism as a work and has no saving power.And some confuse water baptism with holy spirit baptism.But it's all still good for we all believe and excepted his grace through faith.