The Gospel's Answer To The "State" Of Sin - Part Two

The Gospel's Answer To The "State" Of Sin - Part Two
(Baptism Into Jesus Christ)

In our previous lesson we left off with Paul’s explanation to the Romans in Romans chapter 6. We continue our lesson with the following illustration which might be helpful as a review:
HOW BAPTISM CHANGES THE "STATE" OF SIN

BEFORE BAPTISM
We are...DEAD "IN" SIN - DEAD TO GOD Eph 2:1 "In the past you were dead because you sinned and fought against God."

IN BAPTISM
We are...BURIED WITH CHRIST BY BAPTISM INTO HIS DEATH Rom 6:3-4 "Don't you know that all who share in Christ Jesus by being baptized also share in his death? When we were baptized, we died and were buried with Christ. We were baptized, so that we would live a new life, as Christ was raised to life by the glory of God the Father."
When we are lowered into the water, immersed we join Christ in Death. United in a likeness of His death, we are... CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, thus, we...DIE TO SIN, and we are...FREED FROM SIN, Rom 6:5-7 "If we shared in Jesus' death by being baptized, we will be raised to life with him. We know that the persons we used to be were nailed to the cross with Jesus. This was done, so that our sinful bodies would no longer be the slaves of sin. We know that sin doesn't have power over dead people."
As we are raised up out of the water we are...RAISED WITH CHRIST, Col. 2:12 "And when you were baptized, it was the same as being buried with Christ. Then you were raised to life because you had faith in the power of God, who raised Christ from death." TO NEWNESS OF LIFE Rom 6:4-5 "When we were baptized, we died and were buried with Christ. We were baptized, so that we would live a new life, as Christ was raised to life by the glory of God the Father. If we shared in Jesus' death by being baptized, we will be raised to life with him."

AFTER BAPTISM
We are...DEAD "TO" SIN, ALIVE "TO" GOD
Rom 6:11 "In the same way, you must think of yourselves as dead to the power of sin. But Christ Jesus has given life to you, and you live for God."
Gal. 3:26-27 "All of you are God's children because of your faith in Christ Jesus. And when you were baptized, it was as though you had put on Christ in the same way you put on new clothes."
Notice that our state in regards to sin has changed (and also our state in regards to God, as well!) - Ro 6:11 "In the same way, you must think of yourselves as dead to the power of sin. But Christ Jesus has given life to you, and you live for God." Before baptism into Christ, we were dead in sin, and dead to God! But after baptism into Christ, we are dead to sin, and alive to God!
How can such a simple act of immersion in water bring out about such a significant change? From Co 2:11-13 "Christ has also taken away your selfish desires, just as circumcision removes flesh from the body. And when you were baptized, it was the same as being buried with Christ. Then you were raised to life because you had faith in the power of God, who raised Christ from death. You were dead, because you were sinful and were not God's people. But God let Christ make you alive, when he forgave all our sins.", we learn that this change takes place through faith in the working of God.

Baptism is a spiritual "circumcision." Note when and how our sins are "cut away." It is when we were buried with Christ in baptism! - Co 2:11-13 (see above). Though "dead in trespasses" we were made alive! Note verse 11, "Christ has also taken away your selfish desires, just as circumcision removes flesh from the body." Remember Ep 2:4-9, that it involved God's grace and mercy? How were our sins cut away? Note that we were raised through faith (this is man's part, expressed by submitting to baptism). In the working of God (this is God's part, who through grace cleanses us by the blood of Christ and by His Spirit causes us to be born again - Jn 3:5 "Jesus answered: I tell you for certain that before you can get into God's kingdom, you must be born not only by water, but by the Spirit."; Ti 3:5 "He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things that we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning.") It takes immersion in water (baptism) and the Holy Spirit for us to be buried and risen alive to a new birth in Christ.Yes, baptism is a "working of God", by which He imparts wonderful blessings to those who submit to it, not a "work of man" by which one tries to earn or merit salvation!

Note what happens when a penitent believer is baptized. God performs a "spiritual operation" (the "circumcision of Christ")! He who was dead in sins has his sins removed (by Jesus' blood shed in His death) and thus he who was dead in sin is made alive! Coming forth from the watery grave, he is raised together with Christ (Co 2:12 ). Having "put on" Christ in baptism.. Note: "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have PUT ON Christ." - Ga 3:27. This is how one truly receives Jesus Christ into their life! Not by saying "the sinner's prayer" (which is no where taught in the Scriptures). But by submitting to the command of Christ to be baptized into His death for the remission of sins! - Mk 16:16; Ac 2:38; Ga 3:27
No longer dead "in" sin, but dead "to" sin, God's work on us in baptism truly changes the state of sin! This explains why in the preaching of the gospel of Christ, the command to be baptized naturally follows the commands to believe and repent - cf. Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:36-38.
Are YOU really "dead to sin" and "alive to God"? Only if you have been scripturally baptized (immersed in water by the authority of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins - Mt 28:18-19; Ac 2:38) can you be CERTAIN that through the "working of God" your sins are forgiven and you have been raised together with Christ! If you have not been baptized, then...
"...why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." - Ac 22:16

For a more detailed study on the subject of baptism, please contact me or after studying this lesson and you feel the need to repent and be baptized, turning to God, please contact me at:
jnlnewsted@nts-online.net

This study is from The Executable Outlines Series, a collection of sermon outlines and Bible study lessons by Mark A. Copeland . These outlines were developed in the course of my ministry as a preacher of the gospel. Feel free to use them as they are, or adapt them to suit your own personal style. To God be the glory!
The Executable Outlines Series, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2001

God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year

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Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
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