TOPIC 23 OF 47
The Baptismal Life
Dying and rising with Christ in daily repentance and faith.
THE MAIN TRUTH
Baptism affects and shapes the whole life of a repentant believer united to Christ.
The teaching
From the book · pages 69–71
Baptism affects and shapes the whole life of a repentant believer united to Christ. When we are baptized into Christ Jesus, we are baptized into his death and his resurrection. We are crucified with Christ; now we are dead to sin and alive to God. Our true identity, as redeemed children of God, is given in our baptismal union with Christ. We no longer live, but Christ lives in us as we live by faith in him.
Each day we live in our Baptism as we experience spiritual renewal through it. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin so that our old sinful flesh may drown and die as we repent and resist sin. Then the Spirit raises up the new life of Christ in us as the promise of the Gospel and the forgiveness of sins renew our minds in faith and transform us into the image of Jesus.
The Spirit works this baptismal life in us as we share in the cross of Christ, dying in order to live. We daily die to ourselves, take up our cross of suffering, and follow Jesus by hearing and obeying his Word. Then we live in his joy and peace and grow to become more like him in his forgiving love.
Scripture foundations
All Scripture excerpts from this topic are presented below in the book’s order. Ellipses and bracketed explanations follow the manuscript. Select a reference to read the surrounding passage in the EHV.
Reading these passages together
The passages connect Baptism with Christ’s death and resurrection. This identity becomes the pattern of daily repentance: the old self dies and the new life in Christ is renewed.
12 Scripture excerpt groups
SCRIPTURE 01
Romans 6:3-4 ↗
“. . . do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him by this baptism into his death, so that just as he was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too would also walk in a new life.”
Book page 70
SCRIPTURE 02
Romans 6:5-7 ↗
“For if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be united with him in the likeness of his resurrection. We know that are old self was crucified with him, to make our sinful body powerless, so that we would not continue to serve sin. For the person who has died has been declared free from sin.”
Book page 70
SCRIPTURE 03
Romans 6:11 ↗
“In the same way also consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
Book page 70
SCRIPTURE 04
2 Corinthians 5:17 ↗
“So then if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. The new has come!”
Book page 70
SCRIPTURE 05
Galatians 2:20 ↗
“I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I am now living in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Book page 70
SCRIPTURE 06
Titus 3:5 ↗
“He saved us through the washing of rebirth and the renewal by the Holy Spirit. . .”
Book page 70
SCRIPTURE 07
Ephesians 4:22-24 ↗
“As far as your former way of life is concerned, you were taught to take off the old self, which is corrupted by its deceitful desires, and to be renewed continually in the spirit of your mind, and to put on the new self, which has been created to be like God in righteousness and true holiness.”
Book page 71
SCRIPTURE 08
Colossians 3:3-5,10-11 ↗
“For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. So put to death whatever is worldly in you . . . and put on the new self, which is continually being renewed in knowledge, according to the image of its Creator . . . Christ is all and is in all.”
Book page 71
SCRIPTURE 09
Romans 12:2 ↗
“Also, do not continue to conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you test and approve what is the will of God—what is good, pleasing, and perfect.”
Book page 71
SCRIPTURE 10
2 Corinthians 4:10; Philippians 3:10 ↗
“We always carry around in our body the death of the Lord Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” “. . . conformed to his death. . .”
Book page 71
SCRIPTURE 11
Luke 9:23 ↗
“If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
Book page 71
SCRIPTURE 12
John 15:9,11;16:33 ↗
“As the Father has loved me, so also I have loved you. Remain in my love . . . I have told you these things so that my joy would continue to be in you . . . I have told you these things, so that you may have peace in me.”
Book page 71
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture passages are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV), copyright 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission, as noted in the manuscript.
PERSONAL REFLECTION OR GROUP DISCUSSION
Reflect and pray
What does your baptismal union with Christ say about your identity?
How does daily repentance express dying and rising with him?
How could remembering your Baptism help you face temptation or guilt?
A prayer
Lord Jesus, renew us in the promise of our Baptism. Put to death our sinful desires and raise us daily to live in your forgiveness and love. Amen.