“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” (Romans 6:3)

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)

As we continue our study of believer’s baptism, we will turn now to an exposition of our Romans text in an attempt to understand the significance of this Church ordinance. There is just as much need in our day to understand this ordinance, as there was in the Apostle Paul’s own day. It seems that there were some in the Roman church who did not clearly know the meaning of their own baptism, as Paul wrote:

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” (Romans 6:3)

If they had understanding of this spiritual Truth when they were baptized in water, there would have been no need for Paul to write: “Know ye not…?” It is evident then that participation in baptism does not confer a Grace, apart from God’s Plan; for then would the participant also have received special Revelation. To the contrary, they had Faith – the evident token of their salvation (Hebrews 11:1; Ephesians 2:8-9) – which they professed by believer’s baptism. But they were not well instructed in its significance, and may have seen in it a symbolic washing (Acts 19:3).

By his words, “so many of us,” the Apostle includes himself in that Body of believers “baptized into Jesus Christ”; but he also draws a very bold line of distinction between the “many” and those who were not so included. His audience being those who come to the physical baptism with their hearts already prepared by Spiritual Baptism (1 Corinthians 12:13); or else they have nothing to testify to by their empty profession. It is evident then that unbelievers, hypocrites, and deceivers gain nothing by water baptism, as they have not been baptized into Christ’s Death.

For those who view baptism as a ceremonial washing, the natural conclusion is that such non-believing parties benefit from their immersions. Even sincere Christians have been known to fall away into sin and feel the need to ‘renew’ their faith by subsequent baptisms. While this may benefit their conscience (1 Peter 3:21), nothing in the baptism ordinance confers a benefit to the unsaved; but this would rather inspire a false sense of hope that they are accepted in their condition. Even those sincere believers may erroneously view the baptismal fount as washing their sins away.

Oh, Reader, be not deceived in holding anything other than the precious Blood of Jesus Christ as the Cleanser of your unrighteousness (1 John 1:7, 9)! His Blood alone makes atonement for our wretched souls; without which we’ve no hope of entering the Presence of God (Hebrews 10:19), for there would be no remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22). It is the once-for-all Substitutionary Sacrifice of Jesus Christ alone that redeems us. And this we express Faith in, by believer’s baptism.

As our text verses so poignantly express, baptism sets forth the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ; as well as our participation therein. Thus, we demonstrate Faith in our Union with Christ. This Union is here set out as twofold: (1) a Representative Union – that Christ died and was buried on our behalf. His Death is here in view, and we demonstrate our desire to participate in all that His Death merits for us. Thus, the doctrine of baptism says that as Christ died for us, we experienced a death and burial with Him.

And then we see: (2) a Realized Union – that is, our Union with Christ transcends mere doctrine that we’ve died with Christ, but sets forth the matter of our experiential Resurrection with Christ. The Apostle Paul declares the Gospel to be the Message of Christ’s Death, Burial, and Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). When we realize the Gospel to speak of more than a possible salvation, but to declare the completed transaction to secure our salvation by Christ as our Substitute, we come to know that we have experienced a death, burial, and resurrection with Him, as members of His Body. Thus, we publicly testify, by water baptism, to the Newness of Life in Christ.

What great Truth this is! That in Christ we who were under sentence of death have now been given New Life – a Life free from the bondage of sin and death; a life free to serve God and to worship Him in the beauty of holiness. How wonderful to know that in Death, Christ gave His Life for us; by His Resurrection, He has given His Life to us. So too, we should join the Apostle Paul in declaring:

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

This Life we testify to, when we make a public profession of Faith by the initial act of the baptism ordinance. As many congregations enjoin saints to be baptized as requisite to membership, we see the symbolic placing of the individual into that body. The saints’ being raised a member of that congregation identifies their lives as one – the New Life of Christ being so held in view. For the individual, his life is lived in Faith that Christ is so living in him and through him, thereby accomplishing His Purpose in His Resurrected Body – the Church – as we’ve been raised together with Him (Colossians 3:1; Ephesians 2:6).