Baptism and the Lord’s supper are beautiful ordinances that the Lord has commanded His church to observe. They are physical displays of spiritual realities, and are meant to encourage our faith. Baptism demonstrates our union with Christ in his suffering, death, burial and resurrection.
Paul reminds the Roman believers of this in Roman 6:3-4
“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? [4] We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
This union has profound implications on our daily lives: We are no longer to live according to our old sinful self, which died with Christ, but are now to live as new creatures in Christ.
Baptism also demonstrates our washing and cleansing from sin by the precious blood of Christ, and the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. In Ezekiel’s prophecy, God makes this amazing promise concerning his scattered people Israel, which also finds its fulfilment in his new covenant community, both Jews and Gentiles:
“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. [26] And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:25-26).
(Paul uses very similar language in speaking of the work that God does in us at conversion in Titus 3:3-6.)
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).
Christ has commissioned His church to make disciples of the nations and to baptize them and to teach them to observe all that He 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 3:3-6; and 1 Cor 12:12-13. Take time to reflect on the spiritual meaning of baptism and what it means for your life as a follower of Christ.
May the Lord use His word and the witness of our sister to help us remember our new identity in Christ, rejoice in what God has done in us, and to renew our commitment to the vows we made at our baptism.