Faithofchristian,
There is much more to understand about Jesus saying, you must be born of water and the spirit.
First, we must all be baptized, as footstep followers of Jesus, 1Peter 2:21,Matthew 3:13-17, 3:17-21.Baptism is actually a symbol of being dead to your old way of life and born to a new way, doing the will of God, as best as we can.
The being born of water is pretty easy to understand, but the being born of the Spirit is different, and few understand what Jesus was speaking about. There is much to learn, and it is different than the mainstream religions teach, 2Corinthians 10:3-5, John 16:1-3.
Please listen carefully, I want to explain first and then I will put down the Scriptures that back up my explanation.
When Jesus told Nicodemus that Christians of The first century must be born again, or they could not see the Kingdom of God, Jesus was saying that they had to be given a token of the Spirit that would make them understand that they would go to heaven as Spirit Creatures, when they were resurrected, 1Corinthians 15:51-54, Some of these will be on earth when Jesus returns, they will be resurrected as Spirit creatures, and go to heaven to be with Jesus, as Kings and Priests, ruling over the vast majority of people who will be resurrected, and the people who live through the Great Tribulation, Armageddon, Romans 8:17, Hebrews 3:1, Revelation 5:9,10, 7:3,4, 9, 14, 20:4-6. These ones resurrected to heaven will be resurrected before Armageddon, and will take part in the Judgment of earth, with Jesus, Revelation 2:26,27, 19:7,8,14.
Let me get back to the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, John 3:6 Jesus says that what is born of Spirit IS Spirit. Notice John 1:12,13, which tells us that God’s children are Born, Not from blood or flesh, but from God. Then back to 3:6,7,8.
These ones will meet the lord in the air when resurrected, and always be with the lord, 1Thessalonians 4:15-17, 1Corinthians 15:42-50. Remember, it is written in John that there is a general resurrection, and these will be, both the righteous and the unrighteous, John 5:28,29, Acts 24:15. All of the one who go to heaven will be immortal, while some of the ones resurrected to the earth will still die, because of disobedience. The ones resurrected unrighteous must become righteous during the Thousand Year Judgment Day or they will die again, Revelation 20:15. These will live on earth, first through the Thousand Year Judgment Day, and then for eternity on earth, which they will work to restore it to a paradise earth, Revelation 20:7-9, 21:1-5. Just like in all Kingdoms, there are Kings and there are subjects.
When God States His Purpose, it is impossible for it not to come true, exactly as He Purposed, Isaiah 14:24-27, 55:11. God stated His Purpose at Genesis 1:26-28. Also at Isaiah 45:18, where God says that He created the earth to be inhabited. Also the Heavens belong to Jehovah God, but the earth He has given to men Psalms 115:16.
The Purpose of God is not difficult to understand. Because of the rebellion of Adam and Eve, God made a way for all their descendants to receive the same future that God wanted for Adam and Eve. Be Jesus giving his life for mankind, all who put faith in that Ransom, have the chance of living forever on earth, just like Adam and Eve could have. God’s purpose does not change!!!