Romans 6 1-11 - The Importance of Water Baptism - Roger Britton

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THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER BAPTISM
Romans 6:1-11
Roger Britton
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid.
How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were
baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by
baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even
so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of
his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is
crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7
For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also
live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more
dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto
God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through
Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:1-11)
Since God’s Holy Word is the authority for our lives, let’s look to it for answers for water
baptism and its importance. Jesus wants us to have life and to have it more abundantly. There’s
more to life than mere existence. Knowing Him and following Him is life! Demonstrating this faith
in believer’s baptism is most important.
God’s Mandate for Water Baptism
From the moment Jesus was baptized and the Spirit of God descended upon Him,
discussion began in determining the correct way(s) that a person should be baptized. The New
Testament provides an obvious mandate for baptism, and we will cover this in the next few minutes.
“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up immediately out of the water: and, lo, the
heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting
upon him:” (Matthew 3:16)
A mandate—an order or command.
A command—something that must be followed.
So, a mandate must be an order or command that Christians must follow.
Let’s look at what the Scriptures have to say concerning baptism.
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in
earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost." (Matthew 28:18–19)
Jesus has all authority and He gave the command for the church to practice the ordinance
of baptism. We don’t have a choice, it is a must. …
Water baptism was obviously part of the process of becoming a follower of Jesus,
remember again what Jesus did as He began His earthly ministry.

“ 13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John
forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus
answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.
Then he suffered him.” (Matthew 3:13-15)
Jesus came from Galilee to be baptized by John. When John said he was not worthy enough
to baptize Jesus and that Jesus should be baptizing him, "Jesus replied, ‘Suffer it to be so now: for
thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.’ ”
Jesus was saying that He was being baptized because it was the right thing to do.
A command is something that requires obedience, and God desires our obedience.
Early Christians called baptism a sacramentum (sacrament): the Latin word for the soldier’s
oath of absolute devotion, allegiance, and obedience to his commander.
God’s desire is for His children to follow His ordinances with absolute devotion.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, He who believes, obeys; and he who obeys, believes.
If you claim Jesus as your Lord and Savior but deny the need for baptism, you have put
yourself in a very precarious position.
The Method of Baptism
The method of baptism is one of the most argued points of being a Christian, but the Bible
clearly describes the baptismal process, so let’s see what it has to say concerning the method of
baptism.
(1) Baptism requires water: Every time someone is baptized in the New Testament it is with
water.
(2) Baptism requires lots/plenty of water—enough water to cover the person; more than
glass; more than a pitcher. …
"John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there:
and they came, and were baptized." (John 3:23)
(3) Baptism requires going into the water.
"And the eunuch commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into
the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." (Acts 8:38)
(4) Baptism requires coming up out of water.
"And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away
Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing." (Acts 8:39a)
"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the
heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting
upon him:" (Matthew 3:16a)
The Meaning of Water Baptism
The meaning of baptism is this—it is the complete surrender of everything you are and
everything you have to follow Jesus Christ and to be obedient to Him.
Baptism identifies us with the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Baptism is not some magical, mystical act, the water is not magical.
The speaking of "… in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit …" is not
magical, and the person performing the baptism is not magical.
Through baptism we identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus; identifying
with Jesus Christ is what makes baptism effective, not magical.
Tom Ellsworth tells a story about a Christian who went on a tour of the Holy Land. When
they got to the traditional site of Calvary, the tour guide explained what had happened during Jesus’
crucifixion. He asked, "Have any of you been here before?" This Christian raised his hand and
responded, "I have." The guide asked, "You have? When were you here?" The Christian replied,
"About 2,000 years ago."
As children of God, we were there when Jesus was baptized and raised up.
Baptism signifies your commitment to Jesus both as Savior and Lord.
An impression without expression will lead you to depression.
When something makes an impact on you, it needs to find an outward expression or you
begin to feel frustrated.
God created us in such a way that almost every emotion has an appropriate outlet.
(1) You show sadness by crying.
(2) You show fear by screaming or jumping.
(3) You show happiness by laughing.
(4) You show gratitude by giving.
(5) You show love with a passionate embrace.
When you are saved and you grasp the reality of His love, you want to follow His
commands. Baptism is an expression of faith and following Jesus Christ.
Baptism signifies the cleansing we have experienced through the washing of the blood of
Jesus Christ.
Baptism provides an outward expression of the inward possession of God’s wonderful
cleansing and renewal that we have experienced. It gives us an opportunity to begin with a new slate,
to begin fresh, and to have a new start.
Many religions acknowledge the need for cleansing from sin; however, no matter how much
we try, we cannot erase the wretched memory of our sins. Only one person can remove our sins
from us, and that my friends, is Jesus.
"And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is
no remission." (Hebrews 9:22)

"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the
riches of his grace." (Ephesians 1:7)
Baptism signifies the offering of our lives in complete service to Jesus Christ.
Jesus’ baptism signified the beginning of his ministry. Thus for us water baptism is a
testimony that we are offering our lives in service to the Lord Jesus Christ. When you are saved
you’re not saved to sit, you’re saved to serve.
Baptism is not effective because you got wet. It’s effective because it’s part of the process of
pledging your complete devotion to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.