“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” ( Romans 6:3-4 NIV)
Past: Baptism looks back to the finished work of Christ. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus commands His followers to baptize disciples, making it an act of obedience. It symbolizes Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, as explained in the Epistle to the Romans. For the believer, going under the water and rising again testifies that we have repented of sin and trusted in Jesus alone for salvation.
Present: Baptism is a public declaration of an inward change. While it does not save—since salvation is by grace through faith strengthens the testimony of the gospel within the congregation —it openly identifies us with Christ and His church. It and before the world.
Future: Baptism also points forward to a life of faithful obedience and to the sure hope of resurrection and eternal life with our Lord.
Rev. Josh Dickinson
