Message by Larry Thacker Jr from August 3, “Baptized Into Christ Jesus”
Our study continues with Romans 6:1-7. Paul has just written that the increase of sin revealed by the law resulted in an even greater revelation of grace. He now poses a rhetorical question, “should we keep on sinning so that we can receive more grace?” (paraphrased) Absolutely not! He explains why not in the following verses. As redeemed believers in Jesus, we are dead to sin! He uses the symbolism of baptism to illustrate his point. If you have been in Baptist churches for very long, you will have heard the pastor use portions of this passage in the ceremony as the new believer is submerged and brought up out of the water.
But is this paragraph actually about water baptism? The practice is certainly taught in the Bible. Jesus Himself was baptized. His disciples baptized others. He commanded them to do so before He ascended. In almost every case of someone coming to faith in the New Testament, they are immediately baptized. The word we translate as baptize means to immerse, and it appears in other context that do not have to do with a believer’s baptism. In these cases, translators will usually use a different word.
If it isn’t a reference to water baptism, what is it? It is the reality that the water baptism symbolizes. Our old self is crucified and buried with Jesus the Christ, and we are raised to walk in a new life as a new creation. Our life is immersed in His life. We are baptized in His Holy Spirit. Don’t go back and dig up the dead man. That’s disgusting!
