[The blog on “A Man, not Nicodemus”] is a wonderful pure thought, and one that the church fathers did not understand. A while back I read this article, among others, on John 3:5”
https://goingtojesus.com/gtj_audiotext.html?tname=apostatefathers
Here are a few quotes from it:
As many as are persuaded and believe that what we teach and say is true, … are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated. For, in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the universe, and of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they then receive the washing with water. For Christ also said, “Except ye be born again, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (St. Justin Martyr, First Apology, 61)
… it is a small matter to “lay hands on them that they may receive the Holy Ghost,” unless they receive also the baptism of the Church. For then finally can they be fully sanctified, and be the sons of God, if they be born of each sacrament; since it is written, “Except a man be born again of water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (St. Cyprian, Epistle 71, 1)
Nay, he that, out of contempt, will not be baptized, shall be condemned as an unbeliever, and shall be reproached as ungrateful and foolish. For the Lord says: “Except a man be baptized of water and of the Spirit, he shall by no means enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Constitutions of the Holy Apostles, Book VI, 15)
Damien
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That confusion is why I call the “apostolic fathers” the “apostate fathers”*. Not one of them was a wise man.
Pastor Johnn