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Saturday, January 15, 2011

Everything comes back to God's Word. Consider the Evidence.


"Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life."--Romans 6:4.  Romans 6.  One of my favorite chapters of the Bible.  This passage tells us exactly what we must to do be in Christ.  Paul is telling the church in Rome that those who have been baptized are in Christ.  Baptism, according to this verse is absolutely necessary "so that just as Christ was raised from the dead...so we too might walk in newness of life."  A couple points are made here.  


First, it is through baptism that we come into contact with the blood of Christ, we know this by the phrase "baptism into death."  The blood of Christ cleanses us from our sins.  There are other passages which point to this and its a known fact.

Second, we are baptized into His death so that we can also be raised with a new body not only in this life but in the next life as well. But also one thing we must consider from this verse as well is baptism is so that we might walk in newness of life.  Romans 6 will also tell us that we must die to sin. Baptism is a commitment.  Yes, we will still stumble but because we are in Christ, His blood continually cleanses us and we are recipients of God's grace.  Romans 6 opens with the question of whether or not we should go on sinning just because we are the recipients of God's grace.  The answer of course is an emphatic NO! So, you might be asking "I am baptized, It's commitment to die to sin, yet I will still sin?" This is the point, this is why we need Christ.  Sin is a choice. By being baptized, we are making a choice that with God's help, we will do all we can to avoid sinning.  However, when we do sin, Jesus' blood covers us.  It's pretty awesome if you ask me.  Baptism is a commitment to do all we can and make a conscious choice to not sin, but because we are imperfect creatures, we will sin and when we do, we're covered. Isn't that awesome?!?!

You would think Romans 6 settles the argument about whether or not baptism is absolutely necessary but unfortunately it doesn't for a lot of people. If you have been baptized into Christ, I am just preaching to the choir.  But if you haven't consider the verse.  There is no way around the fact that this verse tells us that baptism is absolutely required for redemption of sins and for us to be raised in the same way Christ was raised. We need to remember that on the cross, he bore our sins but because He was not guilty, he was above the penalty and gave us a way to restore our relationship with God and have a chance at heaven.

I am asking you to consider the evidence.  Again, if you have been baptized and know the Scriptures, share this with others.  But if you haven't consider the evidence and I pray you respond to the gospel message which is that Christ died for our sins, was buried and was raised again on the third day according to the Scriptures.  Everything is according to the Scriptures.  What Christ did was according to the Scriptures, what we must do is according to the Scriptures and what will happen if we don't will be according to the Scriptures. Everything, EVERYTHING comes back to God and His Word. Also see Acts 2 and 1 Peter 3:21.  Consider the evidence.  DO something about it. Share it.  Pray about it. Love y'all God bless!

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