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. Romans 6:1-4

Today we are going to continue in Pauls teaching about the meaning of Baptism, if you missed the first part here is the link. Now we are going to dive into why baptism is important and what does it mean for us as Christians. First we went over, baptism is a command by Christ (Matthew 28:19) and Christ was baptized for our example (Matthew 3:13-17) So if Jesus is our Lord (Master) then we are to obey him and get baptized in the Church

So what does Baptism mean? Well lets see what the Apostle Paul teaches us, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. “Many of us were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death” So first is the acknowledgement that you are a sinner and Christ died for your sins. As the Apostle Peter states “Repent and be baptized” (Acts 2:38) Repentance is a part of baptism. So the symbol of you being lowered into the water, is a symbol of your old self dying and being buried with Christ 

As the Apostle Paul states “having been buried with Him in baptism” (Colossians 2:12) When you are in Christ, your old self died with Christ. Jesus paid it all for your sins on the cross (Colossians 2:13-14) This is a public profession of your faith, that you have died with Christ and are a New Creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)

And then you are raised with Christ, as Paul states “just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father” So the symbol of you being raised out of the water during baptism, is symbolic of your new self being raised with Christ from death. As Paul also states “You were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God” (Colossians 2:12)

This is essentially the gospel message being performed , the death, burial , and resurrection of Christ for your salvation. But there is also one last part, as Paul states here “we should also walk in the newness of life” What is this newness of life, its becoming Born Again in Christ (John 3:3) As the Apostle Peter stated “You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) Now some argue when does this happen? This is known as Baptismal Regeneration. 

I’ll just end with the words of the Apostle Paul “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:27) Amen!