Studies From Romans
Lesson #6: Spiritual Baptism (Romans 6:1-10)
In this passage we see a baptism being spoken of that connects us with the death of Jesus Christ. Often when people see the word baptism, they automatically think of water baptism but in this case, it is not water baptism that is being discussed but spiritual baptism. In this lesson we will show what spiritual baptism does for us, show that water or physical baptism is a picture of this, and give some benefits found in the passage for being spiritually baptized.
What is spiritual baptism?
In the church age when a person receives Jesus Christ as their savior, they are given the Holy Ghost. This is being baptized with the Holy Ghost by Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:11 ; Acts 1:4-8). The Holy Ghost then baptizes us into the Body of Christ (2 Corinthians 12:12-13 ; Galatians 3:26-29). These are two different Baptisms done by different agents.
During the Church Age as a part of being baptized by the Holy Ghost into the Body of Christ we are also spiritual circumcised (Colossians 2:9-13) and receive a spiritual resurrection (Colossians 2:12-13 ; Ephesians 2:1-6).
Therefore, when Romans 6 refers to being buried with him by baptism into death it is not referring to being baptized physically in water but spiritually.
Baptism as a figure:
Water baptism is by immersion in water as we see in Matthew 3:16 and Acts 8:38-39. Going under the water then is a picture of being buried. So, coming up out of the water is a picture of the resurrection. This is what Peter said in 1 Peter 3:21, it is a like figure.
Since, we are spiritually resurrection in connection with spiritual baptism then what we have in physical, or water baptism is physical representation of what has taken place for us spiritually. It also serves as a testimony to the world of our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Benefits we see in the passage associated with Spiritual Baptism:
1) We are freed from sin (verse 7)
- In Ephesians 2:1 we are dead in trespasses through spiritual resurrection we are freed from the bondage of sin and the penalty of death.
2) We have a new position regarding sin (verse 6)
- Through spiritual circumcision the sin done in the body no longer is applied to the soul because it is sealed (Ephesians 1:13-14 ; 4:30). Therefore, we have a new position that will allow us to not serve sin if we follow then things of God and consider the flesh dead.
3) We have new life with God (verse 10)
- Through Jesus Christ we have eternal life and what places us in Christ is being baptized by the Holy Ghost as we saw above.
Studies From Romans
Lesson #6: Spiritual Baptism (Romans 6:1-10) : Handout
1) What is spiritual baptism?
2) What is water baptism?
3) What are 3 benefits found in the passage that we get from spiritual baptism?