209. From Secrets of Heaven

Baptism means regeneration by the Lord by means of truths for our faith that are drawn from the Word: 4255, 5120, 9088, 10239, 10386, 10387, 10388, 10392. Baptism serves as a sign that an individual belongs to the church, where the Lord, who is the source of regeneration, is acknowledged; and where the Word is found, which is the source of the truths for our faith that are the means of our regeneration: 10386, 10387, 10388. Baptism does not give us either faith or salvation, but it bears witness to what we will receive if we are regenerated: 10391.

[2] The washing rituals in the ancient churches and in the Israelite church represented and therefore meant processes of purification from evil and falsity: 3147, 9088, 10237, 10239. The ritual washing of clothes meant purification of the understanding from falsities: 5954. The ritual washing of feet meant purification of the earthly self: 3147, 10241. An explanation of the meaning of the Lord's washing the disciples' feet [John 13:1-11]: 10243.

[3] Waters mean truths that belong to our religious faith: 28, 2702, 3058, 5668, 8568, 10238. Springs and wells of living water mean truths for our faith that come to us from the Lord; therefore they also mean the Word: 3424. Bread and water mean all the goodness that comes from love and all the truths that lead to faith: 4976, 9323. The spirit means a life in accord with truth or with faith: 5222, 9281, 9818. What spirit and flesh are: spirit means life that comes from the Lord and flesh means life that comes from ourselves: 10283. We can therefore see what these words of the Lord mean: "Unless you have been born of water and the spirit you cannot enter the kingdom of God" [John 3:5], namely, that unless we have been regenerated through truths that belong to our religious faith and a life in accord with them, we cannot be saved: 10240. All regeneration is effected by means of truths that belong to religious faith and by a life in accord with them: 1904, 2046, 9088, 9959, 10028.

[4] The complete washing that took place by immersion in the waters of the Jordan meant regeneration itself, just as baptism does: 9088, 10239. The meaning of the waters of the Jordan, and what the Jordan River means: 1585, 4255.

[5] A flood and an inundation of waters mean spiritual crises: 660, 705, 739, 756, 790, 5725, 6853. Baptism also symbolizes spiritual crises: 5120, 10389. How baptism was represented in heaven: 2299.