On Sunday, we had the joy of celebrating the baptism of the newest member of Richland Hills Christian Church. With each baptism, I like to say a brief word about what the act of being lowered into water and raised up again symbolizes. I’d like to elaborate a bit further here.

First, baptism pictures washing, signifying the fact that the believer being baptized has been washed clean from their sin because of what Christ has accomplished on their behalf. We see this in Acts 22:16, as the Apostle Paul recounts his conversion, after which Ananias said to him:

• “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.”

Second, baptism pictures Christ’s substitutionary life, death, burial, and resurrection from the grave by which the believer being baptized has been saved. We see this in Romans 6:3-4:

• “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 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.” (Romans 6:3-4)

Third, baptism pictures the believer’s future resurrection from the grave to live with Christ forever, for Christ has conquered death on his or her behalf. We see this in Romans 6:5:

• “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (Romans 6:5)

Fourth, and finally, baptism pictures the believer’s death to who he or she once was, having been made alive to walk in newness of life, no longer living for him/herself, but for Christ. We see this throughout Romans 6:1-11, but succinctly captured in verse 6:

• “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” (Romans 6:6)

We thank God for every means of grace that He has instituted in His Word for our spiritual growth and witness to others (e.g., baptism, the Lord’s Supper, prayer, the study of God’s Word, the fellowship of a local church), for each one is essential to the life and mission of every disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Evan