Know Ye Not That So Many Of Us As Were Baptized Into Jesus Christ Were Baptized Into His Death? - Part 2155

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? 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.

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [His] resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [Him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him: knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death hath no more dominion over Him. For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He lives, He lives unto God. Likewise, reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:1-11)

However, for many, the idea that water baptism is akin to being buried with Him -- and that we are baptized into death has become a foreign concept, particularly for those who subscribe to the traditions of the modern day religious culture. But what does the Word say? That if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we who believe shall also be planted in the likeness of His resurrection. That is our hope! 

Therefore, when we are baptized into Christ, we walk in newness of life. Our minds and hearts are renewed in our Lord God and Saviour. But there is more.  The thread of water and blood has continued from the old into the New Testament. Remember Noah and the ark that was prepared, when all the world was eventually covered with water? Well, following the flood, eight souls were saved -- "when once the long suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water."

And then there was the Red Sea which the Lord God parted so the Israelites could safely pass through the water? (I Peter 3:20) As apostle Paul writes, "Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." (I Corinthians 10:1-4)

That same spiritual Rock that followed the Israelites was Christ. Some are asking -- how can this be? It is for this reason that we study the scriptures -- for the truth and understanding. But let's not digress. 

"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: by which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison; which sometime were disobedient, when once the long suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him." (I Peter 3:18-24)

As Jesus so clearly stated to Nicodemus -- "Except a man be born again, he cannot even see the Kingdom of God." (John 3:3) And again, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5) In other words, we must be born again.
 

But there is also a second part in I Peter 3 -- wherein the like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us -- not in the putting away of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience toward God -- by the resurrection Jesus Christ. 

As Peter clearly pointed out on the day of Pentecost, this same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ. The first man Adam, earthy, but the second, the Lord from heaven. He was in the world and the world was made by Him but the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11) 

Is this not the same rejection of our Lord God and Saviour when we ignore the very instructions of the apostles on the day of Pentecost?  Nevertheless, in every example of water baptism in the New Testament, these were water baptized by immersion in the precious holy Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:36-41) 

Then Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38)

"... (for as yet He was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus.)" (Acts 8:16)

"When they heard this, they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus." (Acts 19:5)

"And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (I Corinthians 6:11)

"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the Name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16)

"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the Word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 4For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" And he commanded them to be baptized in the Name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." (Acts 10:44-48)

"And as they went on [their] way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, "See, [here is] water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?" And Philip said, "If thou believe with all thine heart, thou mayest." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing." (Acts 8:36-39)

"Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [Him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead." (Colossians 2:12)

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27)

Jesus said, "... he that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16)

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. (Ephesians 4:5-6)

Stand in the offering plate.