Faith & Reason Nexus

Romans 6:3-5

The passage from Romans 6:3-5 illustrates how the believer’s baptism re-enacts the key elements of the Gospel: Death, Burial, and Resurrection. By being baptized, the believer identifies with these aspects of Christ’s sacrifice and victory over death.

1. Death (Romans 6:3)

• “Baptized into His death”
  • In baptism, the believer symbolically dies to sin and is united with Christ in His death. This is the first part of the Gospel, where Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and the believer’s old life is “put to death” (symbolically) in the waters of baptism.

2. Burial (Romans 6:4)

• “Buried with Him through baptism into death”
  • The burial of Jesus after His death is mirrored in baptism. Just as Jesus was laid in the tomb, the believer is “buried” in the waters of baptism. This symbolizes the complete separation from the old life of sin, marking the end of the old self.

3. Resurrection (Romans 6:4-5)

• “Raised from the dead by the glory of the Father”
  • Just as Christ was raised from the dead, the believer rises from the waters of baptism to a new life. This is the third part of the Gospel, symbolizing the believer’s resurrection from spiritual death to walk in the “newness of life.” Baptism signifies the believer’s participation in Christ’s victory over death, leading to the hope of eternal life.

The Gospel Enacted in Baptism:

• Death: The believer is united with Christ in His death, symbolizing the end of their old life (Romans 6:3).
• Burial: The believer is buried in the waters of baptism, representing the complete renunciation of sin and the old way of life (Romans 6:4).
• Resurrection: The believer is raised out of the water to walk in a new life, just as Christ was raised from the dead (Romans 6:5).

Key Takeaways:

Baptism is not just a symbolic act but a spiritual participation in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It signifies a believer’s commitment to putting away the old sinful life and beginning a new life in Christ. This process aligns with the essence of the Gospel, fulfilling Christ’s work of salvation and giving the believer a tangible expression of their faith and transformation.