Romans 6:3
3 [e] Know ye not [agnoeo], that so [hoti] many of us [hosos] as were baptized
[baptizo] into [eis] Jesus [Iesous] Christ [Christos] were baptized [baptizo] into [eis] his [autos] death [thanatos]? KJV-Interlinear
3 Do you not know that all of
us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ESV
Baptism is a process by which an individual goes
through a procedure which is intended to identify them with a reality. In the
Christian sense, there are two baptisms. The first is a ritual baptism which is
symbolic of our identification with Christ, and the second baptism is the real
baptism, wherein we are actually placed in union with Christ.
The various Christian water baptisms, whether they are
a sprinkling of water or full submission underwater, are symbolical and are
intended to teach the principles of doctrine which Christ accomplished on the
cross, namely death burial and resurrection.
Just as Christ paid the price of sin and defeated sin,
and died, and then was resurrected, so too the symbolism of baptism helps us to
identify with Christ, that when we believe in him, we also believe in, and accept
who and what He is, and what He did.
The moment we first believed in Christ, at that moment
of faith, we received a spiritual baptism, which was a real baptism and not a
symbolical one.
At that moment all three members of the Godhead, Father,
Son, and Spirit enter into and indwell within the believer in Christ. The real
baptism is accomplished by the Holy Spirit, who among other things is given to
us as a deposit for eternal life, as well as sealing our relationship with God
through Christ.
Whether or not you have experienced a water baptism,
is irrelevant. Water does not accomplish salvation. It only teaches the
principle of Christ’s work on the cross.
When you believe in Christ, at that very first moment
of faith, your real baptism occurred.
This is a baptism that you cannot see, or feel, or
sense in anyway.
The spiritual side of life is outside of, and beyond
this physical world, and certainly outside of and beyond the five senses.
Sin is a part of this world.
With faith in Christ, we are set apart from this
world.
This gives us an opportunity to advance within the
spiritual life, and leave behind the carnal world.
Our destiny is in our relationship with God through Christ,
by way of doctrine, within the power and control of the Holy Spirit. Our
destiny is not in or of this carnal world. Therefore, we leave sin behind, by
advancing in our life by means of the spiritual growth process.
And of course that spiritual process is by means of a
daily study, through instruction, while in fellowship. Bible doctrine is the
daily study and the Holy Spirit’s control is within the fellowship sphere.
Fellowship is acquired by confession of sin to God the Father.
Therefore, the whole point of our life, is to believe
in Christ and be saved, thus leaving this world behind, and setting our self on
a new path and course, readying us for eternity.
To ignore this process, to ignore spiritual life, is
to throw opportunity away, and return to the life that existed prior to
salvation.
Prior to salvation you have nothing. After salvation
you have everything and the opportunity for more. To return to your prior life,
in effect, means that you throw away everything and return to nothing. How
smart is that?
These studies, are a part of the massive
daily study web site at DailyBibeStudy.Org, that is easily accessible, and are
written, so that you can come to Christ if you have not done so already, and
therefore not be lost forever.
And
if you have already believed in Christ, then these studies are written so you
can learn and understand and grow in your spiritual life, so that you can come
to the full knowledge of Christ, so that you can fulfill your meaning and
purpose in life as God intended for you, and so you can qualify for a
phenomenal eternal reward which you will have forever.
To
ignore this opportunity to pursue a daily study means you will be incomplete,
unfulfilled and you will lose out, big time.
The
Daily Bible Study is online, making it possible as never before in all of human
history, to advance in ones relationship with God, through Christ, and to
complete yourself beyond your imagination.
But
you have to decide to make that commitment.
No one else can study for you.
You have to do that yourself.
