Water is related to the refreshing and sustaining of life. In most conditions a person will only survive a few days without water. This same concept is used concerning our spiritual life having its source and refreshment from the Holy Spirit. This does not associate water baptism with salvation or the Holy Spirit, for water immersion is not for the removal of the filth of the flesh, but for a good conscience towards God, 1 Peter 3:21. Even Paul stated he did not come to baptize with water, but to proclaim with authority the gospel of Christ, 1 Corinthians 1:17.
Jesus spoke of living water that will flow from within the heart of a person. Anyone thirsting that comes to Him in belief will have rivers of living water flowing out from his heart, John 7:36-38. Although the Holy Spirit had not yet been given when He stated this, the revitalizing and sustaining of spiritual life by the Spirit is what Jesus was talking about, John 7:39. Just prior to His death and resurrection, Christ reveals to the disciples that a change is coming in the relationship with them and the Holy Spirit. The Spirit was with them, and will soon be in them, for He will indwell the saints of the coming Church, John 14:17. It is through this revelation that we understand the relationship with the concept of rivers of living water and the Holy Spirit concerning spiritual life.
Jesus spoke of this renewing related to the Holy Spirit with Nicodemus. He explained that a person must be born of water even Spirit to enter the kingdom of the God.
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly I say to you, except someone is born out from water even Spirit, he does not have the inherent ability to enter the kingdom of the God – John 3:5
While Jesus was giving an example to the disciples concerning love for each other and the willingness to do even the most menial tasks for the benefit of the brethren, He revealed to Peter that those who have been washed only need to wipe off their feet, John 13:10. This involves dealing with sin in the life of a believer in the Church. For we are washed and regenerated by the Holy Spirit, having been washed from our sins by the blood of Christ, Revelation 1:5. However, because we are not in our fully resurrected state and still possess a sin nature, even though it has been rendered ineffective in Christ, just as a sow that has been washed returns to her wallowing in the mire, when we do not take God at His Word we will at times return to our sins, Romans 6:6; 2 Peter 2:22. After this happens, we do not need to be bathed again for we are already clean, but are to verbally agree with God concerning our sins, and as we walk in the truth the blood of Christ keeps on cleansing us from all sin, for this sin is then sent away and we can again walk in the light, fellowshipping with one another and sharing in common with God, 1 John 1:5-9.
The washing of water relating to the Holy Spirit is seen in salvation with the Church being washed by an utterance and the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. Christ cleansed the Church, setting her apart for Himself by the washing of the water by an utterance, Ephesians 5:26. The Holy Spirit regenerates and renews the one who believes in Christ by washing, Titus 3:5
Not out from works, the ones in righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us through washing of regeneration and renewing from the Holy Spirit -Titus 3:5
Therefore, let us draw near to God with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from a malignantly evil conscience and our bodies washed with clean water, for we now have the Holy Spirit indwelling us, Who is the continual source of refreshing and sustaining of our spiritual life, Hebrews 10:22. And let us not be those who forget we have been cleansed from our old sins, while using the promises concerning life and godliness that God has given to us so that we are continually growing and maturing in a full experiential knowledge of God unto the measure of who we are in Christ.
