Baptism into Christ vs. Baptism into Christ's Death
Romans 6:3 Or do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried with him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:5 For if we have grown together with him in the likeness of his death, we shall also grow together with him in the likeness of his resurrection;
Aspect |
Baptism into Christ |
Baptism into Christ's Death |
---|---|---|
Meaning |
1. Entering into Christ's person 2. Putting on Christ 3. Becoming God's sons 4. Being in Christ |
1. Dying with Christ 2. Being buried with Christ 3. Ending the old person's life 4. Preparing for resurrection life |
Distinction |
1. Focuses on union with Christ 2. Emphasizes new identity 3. Emphasizes gaining Christ |
1. Focuses on separation from the old self 2. Emphasizes ending the old life 3. Emphasizes freedom from sin and the old man |
Examples |
1. Accepting Christ as life 2. Living out Christ's likeness 3. Being a new creation in Christ |
1. No longer living according to the flesh 2. Being dead to sin 3. Putting to death the evil deeds of the body |
Application |
1. Pursuing knowledge of Christ 2. Putting on Christ's nature and virtues 3. Enjoying Christ as life supply |
1. No longer living for oneself 2. Counting oneself as dead to sin 3. Rejecting the power of sin in daily life |
Interrelationship |
1. Baptism into Christ necessarily includes baptism into His death 2. Baptism into Christ is the overall experience, baptism into His death is a key part 3. Both are spiritual realities that occur simultaneously |
1. Apart from Christ, one cannot truly be baptized into death 2. Baptism into Christ's death is the necessary path to enter Christ's resurrection life 3. Dying with Christ is for the purpose of living with Him |
Relevant Scripture |
1. Romans 6:3 - "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus..." 2. Galatians 3:27 - "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ" 3. 1 Corinthians 12:13 - "For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body" |
1. Romans 6:3-4 - "Baptized into his death... We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death" 2. Colossians 2:12 - "Having been buried with him in baptism" 3. Romans 6:6 - "Our old self was crucified with him" |
Conclusion:
From the Bible, these two concepts are inseparable spiritual truths. As Romans 6:3 points out, when we are baptized into Christ Jesus, we are simultaneously baptized into His death. We don't need to strive to die, because in the truth of faith, we have already died and been buried with Christ. "Our way of death is through burial into Christ's death," which is the path revealed in the Scripture.
*Please refer to the July 2024 Anaheim, California, USA training Experiencing, Enjoying, and Manifesting Christ (II) Week 20 The Way to Accept, Experience, and Enjoy the All-inclusive Christ as the All-inclusive Life-giving Spirit (who is the epitome of the all-inclusive blessings of God’s full gospel)