Baptized Into Christ Series

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

1. Baptized into His death

2. Baptized into His burial

3. Baptized into His resurrection

Introductory Remarks.

1. The apostle Paul has just concluded his discussion of the “one man Adam,” comparing him to the “one man Christ.” By Adam's one offense (disobedience), sin and death entered the world for all humanity (for all have sinned), Romans 3:23. Similarly, Christ’s one act (of obedience) permitted life to be imparted to all through the grace of God. In our text of discussion, the beloved apostle now shows the Romans how Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection enable them and us to pass from death to life in Christ Jesus. Their baptism into Christ made his pictorial review of this process visible to the human eye and heart.

2. First, we will discuss their baptism into His death. Paul wrote: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” Romans 6:3. Baptism is where the believer imitates Christ’s death for sin. The believer dies to the practice of sin, ungodliness, and unrighteousness. Vowing to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this world, bearing fruits unto holiness and the end to everlasting life in Christ Jesus, Romans 6:22-23; Titus 2:11-12.

3. Next, we will describe their baptism into His burial. He penned: “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. Paul pictures the repentant believer being buried with (alongside) of Christ in the liquid tomb of baptism! The old man is crucified, the body of sin is destroyed and buried, and the believer is “now justified” or “freed” from sin, “having become a new creation in Christ Jesus,” Romans 6:7; 2 Corinthians 5:17.

4. Lastly, we will investigate their baptism into His resurrection. Finally, he inscribed: “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall also be 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 justified (freed) from (the) sin,” Romans 6:5-7. Finally, Paul states that the believer is now in Christ and rises to walk in a new life, giving glory and honor unto God in all good works, Ephesians 2:10. He has become “God’s Magnificent Masterpiece” in Christ! Now, with this brief introduction, let’s consider our first point in this lesson.

BODY OF LESSON

I BAPTIZED INTO HIS DEATH

A. The apostle begins this discourse with a series of questions. First, he asks: What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we who are dead to sin live any longer therein? Romans 6:1-2. Consider,

1. They are all rhetorical questions, really deserving no answer (for all knew his meaning).

2. First, the apostle says, “If you are dead to sin, how can sin be yet alive in you?”

3. Second, he explains why this must be so in their current walk of faith. Observe,

B. Baptized into Christ. Paul wrote: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” Romans 6:3. Or, don’t you know, that so many of us were baptized into Christ. He wrote,

1. First, “That so many of us.” The esteemed apostle includes himself in this sentence. This could only mean that he and the Romans both received this grace. He wrote: “Being justified freely by His grace through the faith that is in Christ Jesus,” Romans 3:24; Romans 5:1-2.

2. Next, “As were baptized into Jesus Christ.” He reminded them that this grace was due to their “faith and baptism into Jesus Christ.” This seems to be the stumbling block for many who confess Christ but fail to imitate Christ’s example in “baptism” to “fulfill all righteousness.” Why, one might ask? Many have listened to men and have yet to follow the example of Christ.

3. Finally, “We were baptized into His death?” This last sentence states that they were baptized into the death of Jesus Christ. Paul’s message of Christ is that He is: “The propitiation (the mercy seat) through the redemption in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God: To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be Just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus,” Romans 3:24-26.

NOTE: Christ was baptized to “justify God” and inaugurate this act of obedience for every believer to duplicate “in fulfilling all righteousness,” or to be “justified from their sin.” We are coming to the absolute necessity of having genuine faith and obedience to God.