“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.” – Romans 6:4 NKJV
Yesterday, we began studying types and shadows in the scriptures, starting with circumcision. We will continue our study today as we consider what baptism truly is.
When many think of baptism, water baptism is often the first thing that comes to mind, and rightly so. The Scriptures provide ample evidence of the practice of water baptism. One of the most prominent characters in the Bible, John the Baptist, earned his name for baptising people, including Jesus, with water (Matthew 3:13-17).
It’s worth noting that John’s water baptism existed to identify Christ (Matthew 3:15-17) and paint a picture of salvation, as seen in our anchor scripture. This is why the Scriptures do not record John baptising anyone after Jesus was declared God’s Son during His baptism.
John’s role was to point to the true Christ who will perform the true baptism – not by water but by the Holy Spirit (John 1:33-34). This means that the baptism of John was but a type, pointing to a much greater thing– the baptism of the Holy Spirit through the works of Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection.
Both Jesus and John described true baptism as the immersion in the Holy Spirit (John 14: 16, Acts 11: 16).
The true baptism is further explained in Colossians 2: 12 thus: “Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”
The apostles, particularly Paul, taught about true baptism in the epistles. In Romans 6:3-5, Paul explains that baptism identifies believers with Christ. This isn’t merely water baptism but an identification that comes with faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Water baptism symbolises the death and burial of Jesus, and emerging from the water symbolises His resurrection. Baptism is a supernatural act through which we all benefit from Christ’s work. Through baptism, we are buried with Christ, raised with Him, and live eternally in Him.
True baptism is for all who believe in Jesus as it unionises us with other saints in Christ. We are all baptised by one spirit, into one faith – the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:5, 1 Corinthians 12: 13).
True baptism empowers us to do ministry here on earth, just like it did the disciples at Pentecost (Acts 2: 38-41). Today, step out in the consciousness that you are baptised, truly, and do exploits for the Kingdom!
Bible Reading Plan: Luke 13: 1-17