Although the word 'water' is not mentioned in the phrases: "brought us forth by the word of truth" and "having been born again... through the word of God", yet it is mentioned plainly in the Lord's saying: "...unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (John.3: 5). In this verse, it is clear that rebirth is from water. The water meant is real water and not symbolic.