Water baptism is essential to salvation.

I'm under the impression that you are implying that Jesus answered Nicodemus's question saying, that basically Nicodemus was born of the water through his natural birth and, he also has to be born of the Spirit. If so, I agree with you there. Rather you do or not, that's where I stand. Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus about water baptism in the text of those five verses. In 1 Corinthians 15:46, Paul wrote, " Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual." So I know that it's, first natural then spiritual. Nicodemus had his natural birth when he was born, and Jesus was telling him that now he has to get his spiritual birth. The question is, " How does a believer obtain his/her spiritual birth?" Well, Romans 6:3-5 says, 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. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Let's examine this text!! In verse 3, Paul tells the Romans that those who were baptized INTO Christ, were baptized into His death. Well in order to be born again, you would have to die first, so being baptized into Christ death first makes sense. In verse 4, Paul says that we were buried with him. (Well a burial does come after death). By the way, immersion(baptism) mirrors a burial. Paul also said that we rose from the dead like as Christ to walk in NEWNESS of LIFE. So we know that after we were risen, we had a new life, you know, similar to a new birth. In verse 5, Paul said that we were planted in the likeness of His death. Well we know Jesus died physically for sure but, the Romans were still alive, unless Paul was writing just to be writing. So, if they had been dead at some point and time like Paul said, then he must be referring to Spiritual death. Since the death was in the likeness of Jesus, that means Jesus had to have died physically and spiritually. Paul also said that we were in the likeness of His resurrection. Now, I know that Jesus physical body was resurrected but, as I stated earlier, the Romans hadn't died physically yet. That means that our resurrection/rebirth/second birth was spiritual like our death. Romans 6:23 says that the wages of sin is death. Well we don't die physically when we sin, so this must be spiritual death. As you can see, we are born again through baptism, which is a spiritual death, burial, and birth or resurrection. . Now regarding Mark 16:16, I can't even believe that you would even try that one. Jesus said what needed to be done, which was belief and baptism. Why does He have to tell one what not to do if He's already told them what to do, and what to do has circumstances that excludes the option of what not to do?? Jesus said that you must believe AND be baptized to be saved. He doesn't have to turn around and say that if you're not baptized then you won't be saved!!! For one, He doesn't have to because He is God!! Secondly, Why does he have to if a non-believer is not going to get baptized anyway??? Eph. 2:8-9 First of all, baptism isn't a work you can boast about. It's yielding to the will and way of the Lord. Paul was referring to works of merit. Which are works that one can boast about. You can't boast about God saving you. I would see if the Bible didn't say that you have to be baptized to be saved , and I said you did. That's not the case though!! God's word tells us that we must be baptized to be saved. Now the Bible tells us in Genesis 6:8 that Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord because, Noah was a just man and he walked with God. Since he was considered just, I know that he was obedient to the Lord. Hebrews 11:7 says that by faith Noah built an ark to the saving of Him and his family. By faith? Well how did he get faith? Well, Romans 10:17 says, Faith cometh by hearing, by hearing the Word of God. So basically, God spoke, Noah Listened, and Noah obeyed. So clearly we can see that Noah obtained grace (favor) from the Lord, by faith, through his obedience of God's word. By the way, I do believe building an ark is a work. I can say the same for Abraham because he offered up Issac by faith. God spoke, Abraham listened, and Abraham obeyed. Then, James 2:21 says that Abraham was justified by works when he offered up Issac. Now, Romans 4: 1-12 is implicating that Abraham was saved by faith. Well the Bible doesn't contradict itself so, it must mean that Abraham was justified by both, not just one. Questions I Have: What analogy of being born of the spirit did Jesus give? Now you say that the Bible repeatedly says that works aren't necessary for salvation. So are you saying that we're saved by faith only? Do we bury the living or the dead? Can you show me where in the New Testament where a individual was promised,received, or was said to have received, a new life or second birth without baptism being involved?