One critic of the doctrine of baptismal regeneration, when addressing the claim that “water” in John 3:5 is synonymous with “the Word of God,” noted that:
Some hold that the “water” means the Word of God. However, the Greek preposition “ek” (out of) is never used elsewhere in connection with the Word when the new birth is under consideration; rather, it is always “dia” (by, with, or through). “Ek” signifies the source, while “dia” signifies the means. (Bob L. Ross, Acts 2:38 and Baptismal Regeneration [Pasadena, Tex.: Pilgrim Publications, 1987], 60-61)