Romans 6:3-6
Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
The sacrament of Water Baptism which all true Christians undergo is more than a religious ceremony. Without a revelation of its full significance we will not walk in victory as we should. Here are 4 wonderful benefits of baptism.
1. IMMERSION INTO CHRIST. Our text says to be born again is to be immersed into Jesus Christ Himself. That means every true believer is IN CHRIST. That’s why when we’re baptised we’re submerged into the water, not just sprinkled upon. We’re reenacting the concept of being dipped or being wholly introduced into Christ. All genuine Christians ABIDE in Christ. Not only is Christ in us, but we are IN CHRIST. He is our strong tower to which we run and are safe. He is our Hiding Place, the Secret Place of the Most High—our refuge and fortress, our God in whom we trust. Therein we’re safe from every satanic attack, trickery and weaponry. Therein we’re blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly realms. And much, much more! Such is the first blessing of baptism.
2. DYING WITH CHRIST. The Christian Life Is About Identifying With Christ’s Death. Our text says true saints are dead to sin. That means our sinful nature was crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20). We must intentionally consider ourselves dead to sin (Romans 6:11). Jesus said no one can be His disciple without denying themselves, taking up their cross daily and following Him (Luke 9:23). Whenever you discover some sinful thought, habit or deed in your life, crucify it! There’s no crown without the cross. That’s how you walk in victory. Such is the second blessing of a revelation of baptism.
3. BURYING OUR OLD NATURE. The revelation of baptism celebrates the fact that old things have passed away (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). There is a note of finality there, isn’t there? That implies genuine believers have a clean break with their sinful past. Don’t justify, celebrate or glorify your ungodly past. Don’t condemn yourself for your past sins either. Forgive yourself. There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Such is the third blessing of a revelation of baptism.
4. RESURRECTING WITH CHRIST. Baptism also symbolises our resurrection with Christ. Just as through it we identify with Jesus’ death and burial, through baptism we also identify with Christ’s resurrection. The Christian life is about rising in newness of life with Christ. We’re partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). We have the life of God within us—His love, His nature and His ability. No wonder Paul crooned, “that I may know Him, the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings” (Philippians 3:10). Our lifestyles must demonstrate the New Life we have in Christ through the Holy Spirit who lives in us and quickens our mortal bodies (Romans 8:11). We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil 4:13). We shall mount up with wings as eagles, we shall run and not be weary, we shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31)! Such is the blessing of the revelation of baptism.
Pastor Josh