the sun shines brightly on the water of a swimming pool

Baptism- A Demonstration, Declaration & Initiation (Romans 6:1-10)

Nov 28, 2025 By: Elias Adamo Topic: Sermon Devotional Scripture: Romans 6:1-11

Baptism and the Lord’s supper are beautiful ordinances that the Lord has commanded His church to observe. The physical acts of baptism and participation in the Lord’s Supper are a demonstration of the gospel and are meant to encourage our faith. Baptism, which we will be observing on Sunday, God willing, is a clear demonstration of our union with Christ, in His death, burial, and resurrection. His death on the cross becomes our death to the power and penalty of sin. His burial is a burial of our old sinful self. And His resurrection is our spiritual resurrection as a new creation, indwelt by the Holy Spirit (cf. Romans 6:1-11). Baptism also demonstrates our washing and cleansing from sin by the precious blood of Christ (cf. Titus 3:5-6; 1 Cor 6:11).

Baptism is not only a demonstration of our union with Christ and our cleansing from sin, but also an initiation into the body of Christ, the church. In Romans 6:3, Paul describes our union with Christ as being “baptized” (immersed) “into Christ.” To be baptized into Christ (the head of the church) will by necessity require  us to be baptized into his body, the church (cf. 1 Cor 12:12-13). The church is the one who is called on to make disciples of the nations and to baptize them and to teach them to observe all that Christ has commanded. The church is where new believers are loved, nurtured, taught, equipped, and helped to grow into spiritual maturity. 

In preparation for this Sunday, please read Romans 6:1-11; Titus 3:5-6; and 1 Cor 12:12-13, and consider the following questions:

  1. According to Rom 6:1-11, how does baptism demonstrate our union with Christ? and how  does reflecting on what our baptism represents enable us to overcome sin?
  2. How does reflecting on our baptism give us assurance and hope in the resurrection? (cf. Rom 6:5; Philip 1:6)
  3. What are we declaring in the act of baptism as to our commitment to Christ? 
  4. According to the context of 1 Cor 12:12-13, what are the implications of being baptized into the body of Christ?

May the Lord use His word and the testimony of our brother this Sunday to encourage our hearts and to save the lost.