After Alma2 recovered from his vision and received his strength, he said something interesting. He said:
"I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit. And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God." (Mosiah 27:25-26)
Why did Alma marvel in the first place? Did Alma just marvel because he had become a "new creature"? Or could this doctrinal question have been at the heart of Alma's persecution of the church? (see Mosiah 27:8-9) In other words, was there any question in his mind about the need for a covenant ordinance like baptism among the Nephites to signify that they were one of God's children? Did he think that a "chosen people" were made such by birth (like the Jews did)? Was this a similar situation as that of the vision of Saul (Paul) on the road to Damascus (see Acts 9)? Was the question of universal covenant baptism the same that confounded Peter (see Acts 10)? In Acts 10:35 we find the words, "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes]