 In John chapter 3, in the conversation with Nicodemus, you see that in verse 5, when Jesus says, "...most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." A very clear reference to baptism there. In James chapter 1 and verse 18, it says, "...of His own will He brought us forth, or birthed us, by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures."