For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection (Rom. 6:5).
Our Savior died upon the cross, was buried in Joseph's new tomb, and rose again victorious over death. In baptism we are planted together with Him in the likeness of His death, and rise again in the likeness of His resurrection. This shows (1) that we have faith in His death and resurrection for us; (2) that our old man of sin is dead and buried, and we rise to live a new life; (3) that we believe that if we are taken by death we shall rise again in the first resurrection and live eternally with our Lord. "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" (Rom. 6:4).
When we see the meaning of baptism, there is no doubt as to its form. We read of the baptism of the chancellor of Ethiopia by Phillip: "And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Phillip and the eunuch; and he baptized him" (Acts 8:38). Our Savior was baptized in the Jordan, not because He was a sinner, but that He might "fulfill all righteousness," and also be our example. There is "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Eph. 4:5).
A minister went to what is said to be the tomb of Jesus in Jerusalem, and lay down in it. He felt that he had been buried with Christ, but he was really buried with Him when he went with Him into the watery grave of baptism.
Thus through the emblematic grave
The glorious suffering Savoir trod;
Thou art our Pattern, through the wave
We follow Thee, blest Son of God.
__S. F. Smith
MEDITATION PRAYER: "For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth" (Ps. 26:3).
Our Savior died upon the cross, was buried in Joseph's new tomb, and rose again victorious over death. In baptism we are planted together with Him in the likeness of His death, and rise again in the likeness of His resurrection. This shows (1) that we have faith in His death and resurrection for us; (2) that our old man of sin is dead and buried, and we rise to live a new life; (3) that we believe that if we are taken by death we shall rise again in the first resurrection and live eternally with our Lord. "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" (Rom. 6:4).
When we see the meaning of baptism, there is no doubt as to its form. We read of the baptism of the chancellor of Ethiopia by Phillip: "And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Phillip and the eunuch; and he baptized him" (Acts 8:38). Our Savior was baptized in the Jordan, not because He was a sinner, but that He might "fulfill all righteousness," and also be our example. There is "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Eph. 4:5).
A minister went to what is said to be the tomb of Jesus in Jerusalem, and lay down in it. He felt that he had been buried with Christ, but he was really buried with Him when he went with Him into the watery grave of baptism.
Thus through the emblematic grave
The glorious suffering Savoir trod;
Thou art our Pattern, through the wave
We follow Thee, blest Son of God.
__S. F. Smith
MEDITATION PRAYER: "For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth" (Ps. 26:3).
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