Sunday June 6, 2021
Palmyra First Assembly
Text: Romans 6:4-11
Title: More Than Water
Today I want to share with you some thoughts on baptism. There are a lot of different perspectives concerning baptism.
Some believe that baptism is a “Sacrament” and therefore, in the act of baptism alone that there is something imparted by the Holy Spirit. Therefore you must be baptized in order to be saved, and in some cases you have to be baptized in a particular church or denomination in order o have a chance for heaven.
Others, and I must admit that for a long period of time I was part of this group, believe that water baptism is simply an outward expression of an inner work that has taken place in a believer. And though this is true, it seems to take away any spiritual work that might take place during baptism.
Romans 6:4-11, 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Today I want to show you that there is an intended spiritual aspect to baptism that we may overlook.
First of all, the Greek word translated “baptize” is baptizo and it simply means “to be immersed”. So when the bible talks about three different baptisms, it refers to John’s baptism in water – being fully immersed – and then being baptized into Jesus – salvation, fully immersed in Christ. And then the baptism in the Holy Spirit – full immersion during which the Holy Spirit who dwells in you now begins to flow out of you.
I want you to get the idea of full immersion.
Paul says that when we go into the water we die with Christ. Repentance, sin being removed… All important stuff. It doesn’t happen when we are put under the water but it is a symbol and a reminder of what happened at the cross.
But verse 8 says, Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
Now here is where I want you to get it… We think that being raised out of the water in baptism means that we get eternal life… that’s true, but that shouldn’t be the emphasis. The part that we often overlook is what God intends for us in the here and now. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is alive in us.
Eph 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,
Eph 1:19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength
Eph 1:20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
Eph 1:21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Eph 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus…
When we come up out of the water we are dead to sin, but alive in Christ.
When we come up out of the water we are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms.
When we come up out of the water we are guaranteed the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people…
When we come up out of the water we are seated with Christ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Christ is the head – seated at the right hand of the Father.
We are the body. Where are we seated? If the body is separated from the head what power is there?
Eph 1:22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,
Eph 1:23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Ok, so let’s close with this.
In your baptism you confess that you have had your sins washed away.
In your baptism you are raised in resurrection power to eternal life…
In your baptism you are seated in the heavenlies with Christ in power and authority over every dark power of this world. Everything has been placed under your feet.
You can resist the devil and he will flee.
You can 2Co 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
You can live in the authority that Jesus has given you Luke 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
You can live the way Paul told the church in Ephesus to live…
Eph 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Eph 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Eph 6:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Baptism is more than water. It is a declaration of power at work in your life.
