Baptism Considered: A Spiritual Revolution
Baptism Considered: A Spiritual Revolution from Daniel Keeran, MSW collegemhc@gmail.com
Paul is the author of letters to the Roman, Galatian, Ephesian, and Colossian Christians. He says by grace one is saved or made alive when one is baptized “through your faith in the working of God...” Because one is spiritually made alive from the dead, baptism into Christ can accurately be described as a spiritual revolution of the heart. How is one made alive and raised with Christ in Ephesians 2:5-6? But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. The answer is found in the parallel passage Colossians 2:12-13. ....having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. Faith in Christ includes baptism into Christ in Galatians 3:26-27 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Baptism into Christ is to be crucified with Him in order to live a new life in Romans 6:3-7 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. In Acts 2:36-38, what were the Jews told to do to be forgiven for having killed the Messiah? “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Is the same promise also for everyone in Acts 2:40-41? “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Do You Accept His Message?