-- Answer: "WATER" and the "SPIRIT" --

It was Jesus who told Nicodemus of the need for man to be "born again" -- to be "born of water and the Spirit" in order to enter the kingdom of God in John 3:3-5.

The only way in which we ever find water in the New Testament being used in connection with salvation is in water baptism for the remission of sins.

Interestingly, I heard a preacher once ask, "How much water is in baptism?" He then answered his own question by saying, "Not one drop!" This truly got the attention of the audience. He then went on to point out that the Greek word "baptizo" (from which "baptize" is a transliteration) simply means "to dip or immerse"; but there is no indication in the word itself as to what the element is to be in which the immersing is to be performed.

It is only from other verses in the Bible that we learn that baptism is to be in water, so that our past sins will be forgiven (cf, Acts 8:36-38; Acts 10:47,48).