Paul presents here what has become the orthodox view and teaching on baptism as well as a call to righteousness. Paul explains baptism to his readers by telling us that we are buried in baptism with Christ and so we then raise with Christ into new life. This illustration of burial is hard for us in the churches that celebrate infant baptism because of our method. In the church where immersion is practiced the illustration is more obvious - the individual went under the water of baptism and was "buried" there in death only to rise up out of the "grave" of baptism to eternal life. I understand there is a faith community in Central America that celebrates infant baptism in a very dramatic style. On the day of an infants baptism the father of the child carries a small coffin into the sanctuary. The pastor fills the tiny coffin with water as it rests on the communion table. The infant is then immersed in the water of baptism as the pastor says - "In Baptism your are buried with Christ that you might be raised with him also to eternal life." Perhaps this is too graphic for us in this culture, but I bet the worshippers there understand baptism in a different way than the casual on looker in our churches.
Paul said something in vs 5 that catches me up short. He says, "For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his." The hard part for me is that I don't think I know anyone, or at least not many, whose salvation came "in a death like his". In fact just the opposite is true. Jesus death was passionate and earth shaking and dramatic, while most of us seem to live like our conversion experiences - casual, mundane and shallow. Ouch, did I really just put that into print?
In verses 11 - 13, Paul explains how this view all works towards living righteous lives. He says "So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. No longer present your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness." I guess today I'll think about places where I have a choice to present myself to sin as an instrument of wickedness or to God as an instrument of righteousness. Lord help me live with passion for you.
About Me
- Pastor Bill
- I am a committed follower of Jesus Christ, a happy husband, father and grandfather!
8 comments:
I undertand the signifigance,the purpose,and the importance of a believer choosing to be babtized. I am uncertain of the origin, the purpose and the signifigance of infant babtism.
Oops I spelled baptized and baptism incorrectly.. I guess I was thinking about babies:)
Wow! It's hard to imagine baptism like that! Wouldn't it deepen our faith and help everyone understand how incredible baptism is?
To us, sin is dead. We are the only thing that can resurrect it - and we sometimes do a great job at it. Just like that Dragon the little boy kept feeding (from Sunday's sermon). Think about all the sins we comit with our words, and yet words can be used to glorify God in so many ways. I bet he'd like that more...
In Young Life, we often use Romans 6:23 as a verse for focus as the central gospel. Look at the first half alone first: "23For the wages of sin is death..." So, we have sinned, and we're going to die. That's hard news to swallow! But wait! Paul saves our lives before he finishes the sentence: "...but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." What Jesus did changed our lives, paid or debts, and gave us the chance to live. Sure can't beat that. I've worked with many youth that find this idea very hard to believe.
As far as the infant baptism goes - where did it come from? Maybe there was originally an idea of cleansing the child while they were young, and getting rid of the original sin?
God bless everyone,
Marshall
I am glad you asked the question about infant baptism Darlynne. Not because I have an awesome definitive answer (unfortunately) but because I want us to be able to deal on this site with whatever comes across our hearts and minds as a family of faith. We don't have to agree on everything, but it's good to hear each other and think together!
A persons view on infant baptism is usually influenced by what "stream" of faith they were raised in. I was raised by a Baptist mother (believer baptism) in the Methodist and then United Methodist Church (infant baptism). I guess it is no surprise that I have been conflicted over this all my life!
Because of space, let me briefly present here some reasons and history for infant baptism.
An interesting historical note: it was not until the 1520s that the Christian Church experienced opposition specifically to infant Baptism! Before that, church history shows infant baptism to be the norm from. The earliest Christian documents all speak of infant baptism and records of it in the church exist back to 69AD with Polycarp.
Now, to the Bible references. There are five references in the New Testament to the Baptism of entire households. Peter baptized the household of Cornelius (Acts 11: 14). In Philippi, Paul baptized the household of Lydia and the household of the jailer (Acts 16: 15, 33). He also baptized the household of Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue in Corinth. In his first epistle to the Corinthians, he speaks of baptizing the household of Stephanas (1: 16). The Greek word for household is oikon and refers to all the inhabitants of the house including slaves, servants, infants and children. Can anyone seriously suggest that within the households of Cornelius, Lydia, the Jailer, Crispus and Stephanas there were no children or infants present?
Finally, I guess whatever our view I just want it to be an informed prayerful one. I think we can wrestle with issues like this and even disagree vigorously without breaking fellowship! I believe it bothers us more than it bothers God.
WOW - that was a long post! Bill
I am so thankful for these daily readings, Pastor.
I am catching so many things I previously read right through.
After reading " And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin...",
I learned the instruments mentioned are our tongues, our hands, our arms, our legs, etc. I never got that before.
It reminds me of Casting Crowns.."If we are the Body, why aren't His arms reaching...why aren't His hands healing...why aren't His words teaching...why aren't His feet going..."
Powerful, powerful stuff here, Sir.
Thank you for the lessons.
"present yourselves as those who have been brought from death to life."
I wonder if Paul anticipated how many people would be "raised in the church" and therefore never have the same kind of 'conversion' experience he dealt with in most of his work. As someone who grew up in the church (as you, UB,) I never had a time when I was away, when I rejected the church, etc. I was confirmed in 4th grade (since at Wetsernville UMC I was in the junior high class by that time!) and I took it all very seriously. I had periods of time of more rapid faith development than others. But not a one-moment thing.
I guess, I say this to say: I still can relate to feeling the "brought from death to life." I'm feeling it all the time. I feel like my journey of faith is always struggling to overcome the death that would have a grip on us and claim the abundant life that Jesus offers us. But it never seems to be once, rather again and again. Thankfully, that free gift is always there.
I'm rambling...
Hi Beth,
You weren't rambling - I was with you 100%. And I must add the return to the experience again and again is very Wesleyan of both of us! Go figure. I guess part of the task for people like us - raised in, and stayed in the church - is to keep the passion for the Good News. That death to life free gift.
Maybe Paul did get a glimpse of it with Timothy. He says to Timothy, "I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands..." 2Timothy 1:5-6 NRSV.
I wonder what was going on with Timothy that Paul felt it necessary to remind him to regain the fire.
Thanks for the Timothy example - I like that. Maybe Timothy was experiencing some young clergy burnout ;)
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