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In the powerful sixth chapter of Romans the Apostle Paul is dealing with Christians
who were trying to lapse back into the religion of Judaism which they had left. Many of his
readers may have been converted on the day in which the church of Christ was established,
the day of Pentecost, 30 A.D. (Acts 2:10). He points out to them — and to us — that
they had been justified not by the law of Moses but by faith in Christ, specifically the
faith or the gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith
without the deeds of the law (Rom. 3:28).
This salvation is given the Christian by the grace of God, as a free gift (Rom. 5:18). The Christian should thank His Lord every day for this gift, that we do not have to earn our salvation by works of merit as the ancient Jews did under the Law of Moses. "Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift" (2 Cor. 9:15). Yet Paul did not want his readers to think that they could live as they pleased because God's grace had saved them. "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? (Rom. 6:1). He goes on in Romans 6 and reminds them of what separates them from their old sins and gave them access to the saving blood of Christ — baptism for remission of sins. What does salvation have to do with baptism anyway? Many in the religious world who call themselves Christians claim that one is saved from their sins by faith only. Baptism for them is something you may or may not do after one is saved. But the Bible's command to be immersed or baptized is for (unto) the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). It is a command of Christ one must obey in order to be saved (Mk. 16:16). Paul did not want his readers to get the wrong idea about God's grace or justification by faith. Perhaps they thought, Since by God's grace I have been saved, then I can continue to sin with no worry. A similar false notion is perpetuated by the modern doctrine of "once saved, always saved." But Paul was saying that they were dead to sin because they had been baptized (Rom. 6:2). Sin is the breaking of Gods law (1 Jn. 3:4). Sin spiritually separates one from God (Isa. 59:2). Before some event in their lives they had been living in sin (Tit. 3:3). That event was baptism for remission of sins. Obedience to the gospel culminates in baptism, which separates the sinner from the saved. A case in point is the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. On the road to Damascus he was struck down by the realization that Jesus was the Christ. He believed but he was not saved. And he trembling and astonished said, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do" (Acts 9:6). In Damascus this penitent sinner prayed and fasted for three days and nights (Acts 9:9) but was still not saved. Only when he obeyed the Lord's command to be baptized for remission of sins was he saved from his sins (Acts 22:16). Years later Paul would write, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Tit. 3:5). It is obvious from the Romans 6:2 that when one is baptized a sinner dies. "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:1). Today, dear reader, are you dead to sin and alive to Christ? In all the other parts of God's plan of salvation except baptism one is doing something to or unto (eis) salvation or looking to; in anticipation of. Notice the following:
"For ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal. 3:26-27). What is so special about being in Christ? In Christ we partake of the benefits of His death. This benefits include,
Can one truly say he is saved if he hasn't taken part in Christ's death? "Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him, without the camp, bearing his reproach" (Heb. 13:12-13). We know how the Lord was hastily buried before sunset on that Friday afternoon. At that burial all prophecy concerning His life and death were accomplished (Isa. 53:9). Baptism symbolizes the burial of the Lord and further shows us that baptism is not sprinkling or pouring but immersion in water. "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" (Col. 2:12). As we are immersed we come into contact with His blood and no where else (1 Pet. 1:18,19). The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most important event in the Bible, if not in human history. It proved that Jesus was who He said He was — the Son of God. It proved that God's plan for the redemption of man was complete; the sacrifice of His Son for our sins. It also proved that there will be a future judgment day and a general resurrection of the dead (Acts 17:30-31). "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins" (1 Cor. 15:17). Isn't it appropriate that the follower of Jesus Christ should also be resurrected from the deadness of sin? The first resurrection, baptism, is not literal but spiritual in nature — the likeness of his resurrection (Rom. 6:5). Like Jesus we are dead — dead in sin (Rom. 6:23). Like Jesus we are buried — immersed in a tomb of water. Like Jesus we are raised from the dead by God from a watery grave (Col. 2:12). Like Jesus we are raised up to newness of life (Rom. 6:4; cf. Acts 8:39). Some questions for those who hold that baptism is a profession of faith after one is saved.
What happened to the Christian's sins at Calvary? "...but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself" (Heb. 9:26). "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Cor. 5:21). By His death the Lord made possible the remission or forgiveness of sins (Col. 1:14). The old man of sin is crucified with Jesus when we are baptized for the remission of our sins (Rom. 6:6; Gal. 2:20). Paul stresses in verses 16 and 17 of this chapter that sinners are servants of sin; they are in bondage of sin. So when did these Roman Christians become released from their bondage? Think about it. Those in the audience in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, A.D.. 30, realized their predicament after hearing the apostles preach the gospel (Rom. 10:17; Acts 2:37). They then obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine (Rom. 6:17) and were baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38, 41). These men and women had been freed from sin because they had died to sin (Rom. 6:7). It did not come when they believed in Christ; when they repented of sins; nor when they confessed Him as the Christ, the Son of God. It came when they were baptized. It is obvious from a study of Romans 6:1-7 that there can be no salvation without scriptural baptism. Yet you may think, I may have been baptized for the wrong reason once, but I was still baptized. Any old reason to be baptized is not sufficient for salvation. We must know what we are doing. Notice Paul emphasis on knowing and baptism: "Know ye not.... (Rom. 6:3), and "Knowing this... (Rom. 6:9). The Apostle Paul came across some disciples — learnersin Ephesus who had been baptized for the wrong reason. After hearing the correct teaching regarding baptism from Paul they were baptized for the right reason (Acts 19:1-5). You can't be taught wrong and baptized right! Dear reader, have you been buried with Christ by being baptized for remission of sins? Are you truly a Christian like one reads about in the New Testament? "And why call ye me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not the things which I say?" (Lk. 6:46). |