Understanding this was an eyeopener for me. I remember the sermon well when that sunk in. I went home and studied the scriptures on the matter. All the scriptures surrounding that conversation confirmed to me Jesus ment physical Birth.
Though I didn’t believe Baptism saves, and do not now....my reason , at the time I was Batized was simple...I wanted to follow Jesus...and He was baptised. Such simple unclutered faith then...but then He sends us to school...:)
2 Corinthians 11:3 "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."
Luke 12:32 "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
no one was ever told to be baptized in the Scriptures to follow Jesus. they were told to wash away their sins.