December 15, 2005, Vol.4, No.24.

Baptism

Part 8

Keith Sharp

Baptism and Our Justification in Christ

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-4)

On Romans 6:3-4 Mr. Lane writes:

Not all would agree that the apostle here makes reference to the subject of water-baptism, for some think he is talking only of Spirit-baptism. There is no question that his main reference is to a spiritual operation, for he is clearly speaking of being ‘baptized into Christ’. But why should this exclude any and every reference to water-baptism? Why must it be a case of ‘either-or’ and not rather of ‘both-and’? The real position surely is that, while he is speaking particularly of spiritual baptism into Christ, he is doing so through the use of the picture of water-baptism. It is almost always the case in the epistles that ‘baptism’ means Spirit-baptism, with the word ‘baptism’ being used pictorially. This is hardly surprising in view of the stress placed on Spirit-baptism by our Lord in his farewell discourses. He described it as ‘the promise of the Father’ (Acts 1:4-5), telling his apostles that after he had departed they should remain in Jerusalem and await the fulfilment of the promise. (93-94)

The promise of the baptism with the Holy Spirit was to the apostles alone. (Acts 1:1-5) This baptism of the Holy Spirit was evidenced by speaking in tongues (Acts 2:1-4) and led them into all truth. (John 16:13-15) If that’s what puts us into Christ, all believers should know all truth and speak in tongues.

Baptism in the name of the Lord, the baptism we must receive for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), is water baptism. (Acts 10:45-48) And there is just one divinely authorized baptism in effect today. (Ephesians 4:5)

The truth is, there is not a single reference to baptism with the Holy Spirit in any of the New Testament epistles.

It is a case of "either-or." There is only one New Testament baptism, not two. And the same word cannot have two meanings in one usage.

Indeed water baptism does picture something. Not our salvation, but the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)

Jesus died on the cross, was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea and was raised the third day. We die to the love and practice of sin, are buried in water (Thus, baptism is immersion) and are raised to a new life.

Yes, baptism is "into Christ." "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?" (Romans 6:3) The "death of Christ" and the "blood of Christ" are used synonymously. (Romans 5:9-10) Jesus shed His blood in His death. The "shedding of blood" is a reference to death. We are saved by His blood (Matthew 26:28) in that His blood refers to His death in our behalf. But how do we get into His death, that is, reach the benefits of His blood? By being baptized into Him. (Romans 6:3) And that baptism is water baptism, the beautiful picture of His death, burial and resurrection.

This is the reason water baptism is in a sense a confession. As we go through a likeness of His death, burial and resurrection, we are confessing that we are putting our trust in that death, burial and resurrection for our salvation. By this simple act of faith we get into Christ (Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-27), that is, we get into His death, we receive the benefits of His blood.

The author adds:

So when Peter comes to preach the gospel and to call on his hearers to repent and be baptised, he not only assures them of the remission of sins, but also of the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). In support of this he adds: ‘for the promise is unto you and to your children...’ (Verse 39). The promise had been declared to them by Christ and they had been commissioned to declare it to others. (94)

It is certain that the "gift of the Holy Spirit" is not baptism with the Holy Spirit, else we have two baptisms in effect. But Mr. Lane is indeed confused. He has sinners saved by Spirit baptism and then confessing their salvation by water baptism. But Peter makes water baptism a condition of receiving the "gift of the Holy Spirit."

Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)

Mr. Lane puts Spirit baptism before water baptism and equates "the gift of the Holy Spirit" with baptism with the Spirit. Peter places water baptism before the gift of the Holy Spirit. Peter certainly doesn’t support Mr. Lane’s contention.

Next the author adds, "The word ‘baptise’ in relation to Christ’s gift of the Spirit is a metaphor for water-baptism." (94) Now Mr. Lane truly is confused (and confusing). First he had, without proof, water baptism as a metaphor for Spirit baptism. Now he has Spirit baptism as a metaphor for water baptism. Which is it? This is as circular as a dog chasing his tail and no more logical. Above all, there’s not one word of Scripture to support it.