Verse of the Day 12/13

Verse of the Day 12/13

Romans 6:3-4

3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.  New International Version

We reviewed these verses this morning in our Monday Men's Bible study and they are a powerful picture of the significance of the new birth, new life in Christ.  The verses and passage are commonly used during baptism services, however, what the Apostle Paul is speaking of here is the change that takes place in the conversion experience and not the symbolism itself.

Charles Stanley expounds on the significance when he writes, "The Greek word for "baptize" in Scripture is the same term used to describe a cloth dipped in dye--it refers to total change. So by being plunged into the water, we declare that we're choosing to die to our old way of life and are uniting with Christ. Our sin is buried with Him, and its power is conquered through His atoning death on the cross (Rom. 6:14). When we're raised up out of the water, we affirm His resurrection. Baptism is a symbolic way of expressing that just as the Lord conquered death and rose again, we are spiritually resurrected from death into new life. We are "born again" and irrevocably transformed through the power of His Holy Spirit. "

A second illustration comes from the Greek poet and physician Nicander from around 200 B.C. who compared it to a recipe for making pickles.  The vegetable would first be dipped into boiling water, (bapto) and then "baptized" (baptizo) in vinegar for a longer period.  Being dipped in boiling water opens up the pores for the vinegar to be drawn in.  It can be compared to the sanctification process.  At conversion we are opened to receive the Holy Spirit and as we receive, learn learn and grow through the Spirit's work we are changed permanently.

We don't need to "clean up our act" before doing this, but respond to the Spirit's call in our heart.

Come just as you are
Hear the spirit call
Come just as you are
Come and see
Come receive
Come and live forever
Come just as you are
Hear the spirit call
Come just as you are
Come and see
Come receive
Come and live forever

Life Everlasting
Strength for today
Taste the living water
And never thirst again

Come and see
Come receive
Come and live forever.  (Come Just As You Are - Crystal Lewis)

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

Romans 6:1-7

New International Version

Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ

6 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,[a]

 that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.