Life After Death
Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Romans 6:3 NASB
Baptized – For a moment, put away your familiar associations with the joy of baptism. Set aside the usual celebration when someone expresses faith through this immersion. Then ask yourself, “Isn’t it odd that Paul uses the expression ‘baptized into death’?” That’s not how we think of baptism. Why does Paul place so much emphasis on connecting death with this liturgical rite of new life?
Perhaps you’ve never thought about this question. Perhaps this odd relationship just slipped by you because you thought you knew what baptism was all about. But now is the time to re-examine your understanding. Certainly Paul expected his readers to understand this connection. Look at his question. It demands the answer, “Of course we know.” But what is it that they know?
The first question we must answer is how followers of Yeshua understood baptism in the first century. Of course, baptism was a standard practice in Judaism, demonstrating a renewal of life or some significant personal transition in one’s spiritual journey as well as ritual cleanings. Baptism was common and could be frequent. But baptism wasn’t merely a Jewish practice. Cultures from Egyptian to Greek practiced baptism (water ablutions) as acts of purification. So both Jewish and Gentile readers of Paul’s letter would have been culturally familiar with the practice.
Obviously then, it is not the practice of baptism that makes Paul’s statement unusual. Leon Morris points out that “if his readers do not understand what it means to die to sin, they do not understand what baptism means.”[1] In other words, Paul takes a difficult concept (dying to sin) and explains it with a familiar concept (baptism). But Paul shows his readers that this familiar concept now stands on its head. Rather than a demonstration of new life, it is now a demonstration of death. The scandal in Paul’s words is not the event of baptism but rather the association of baptism with death! Morris points out that the Greek term (which we transliterate “baptism”) is also a verb about violent acts like drowning. Yeshua uses the same connection in Mark 10:38 and Luke 12:50. In other words, the baptism that Paul wants his readers to consider is the immersion that leads to drowning, to death, to termination of an old way of living, something they would never have imagined prior to Paul’s argument. People who have died are no longer under the influences and behaviors of their past lives.
“The act of baptism was an act of incorporation into Christ.”[2] This means that a life still governed by antinomianism (lawlessness), as life would have been prior to incorporation into the body of the followers of the Messiah, is now impossible. One who has died cannot continue to live as though nothing has happened. As Morris observes, “Being united in living out the life is not an option but a necessary part of being saved in Christ.”[3] Baptized into His death is nothing less than abandoning all past pagan behavior as if it belonged to a dead man. It is burying that old code of conduct in the grave. And since Paul calls this old code of conduct “sin,” a word that means violation of acceptable custom and norm within the adopted community, this can only mean that baptism into His death is nothing less than adopting the new code of conduct appropriate for those who have been raised to new life. In other words, the baptism of death means the adoption of the norm of Messianic Judaism, the only norm that Paul acknowledges as governing the life of followers of the Way. Baptism is my act of submission to the Torah of YHWH, the way of living made possible because my guilt has been removed.
Ah, this leaves us with one very big question. Who was Paul writing to? Who did he think knew enough about all this to unquestionably understand his subtle argument? Was he writing to newly converted Gentiles or was he writing to culturally-familiar Jews? Who would have responded to this upside-down view of baptism and recognized it as a demonstration of life within the body-norm?
What do you think?
Topical Index: baptism, sin, death, Romans 6:3
JUDAISM
Tevilah (teh-VEE-luh)
Immersion in the mikvah, a ritual bath used for spiritual purification. It is used primarily in conversion rituals and after the period of sexual separation during a woman’s menstrual cycles, but many Chasidim undergo tevilah regularly for general spiritual purification.
MATT
Matthew 3:11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire
PAUL
Romans 6:3
3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
Hmmm
Seems to me that in Judaism, the ritual bath is a simple cleansing for spiritual purification and not so much about SIN, transformation, and death
Seems to me that in Matthew Baptism is more about repentance and transformation
But in Paul we clearly see a focus on death, and being “in Christ,” whatever that means
Paul’s experience of being in Christ might correspond to what the Alchemists refer to as the solutio (under water) or calcinatio (on fire)
Those experiences can be very intense and transformational
Personally, I don’t think Paul’s experiences are necessarily related to Jesus
Although I believe Paul experienced that state in relation to Jesus
Bless you all, I don’t think we are to focus on the act of being baptized but in what it means and to whom was he writting to; so my answer to Skip’s question is to all of us gentiles who has been so wrongly directed about grace and law it is the same and like Skip said in his prior study about James 2:20 the Lord is one and we cannot draw a difference between law and grace they are the same you are saved by grace but you are to live by the law and I think this is what Paul means about being baptized into His death. Bless you all
“I don’t think we are to focus on the act of being baptized”
Hi Benny,
When I was in the 6th grade, I was baptized into the Catholic church
For me it was a kind of “a ritual bath” used for spiritual purification
It opened me up to a whole new theological world (the Good)
And to the architecture of the Roman Catholic cathedral (the Beautiful)
Probably because my parents were not practicing “Christians”
The worldview was always somewhat “other” to me
So around the turn of the century, when I received my first Today’s Word
I was surprised to find these two things in a whole new context 🙂
In my view, there is a “spiritual” baptism by “water” and another by “fire”
And both experiences can be unforgettable
Whether you like it or not
~ Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? (Romans 6:3)
Baptism is a silent sermon by every ‘new-bairn’ believer. Our very first witness to the world. How many thousands (does it really take that many?) of baptisms have I witnessed through the years, and yet there are those who have never witnessed one! How blessed, how blessed then, I am.
And have heard the repeated witness of these words (God’s words spoken by a man): ~ we are buried with Him by baptism (immersion) unto death..~ (then) raised to walk in newness of life! In the (new and improved!) life of every baby-Christian, those who have just “come to Jesus,” those who have heard and responded to the call of Christ, the words of the Living Word, those who have heard the good news of the gospel, (and this is what the gospel is: – “good news!”- the death, burial and.. resurrection of the Christ!) and right out of the gate (so to speak) as the first act of obedience to their new Master are “baptized” (immersed) into the liquid watery grave of believer’s baptism as a symbol and sign – the “old man” is dead! So long “self!” -(and good riddance!) “I” have been crucified with Christ ~ For “you” (Mr.) are dead!- and your life is now hid with Christ in God..(Colossians 3.3)
The question should be posed: Is there life after death? And the answer is? (according to the scripture) Absotively, posalutely, YES!! ~I tell you the truth, (from the ONE who incapable of a lie!) “verily-verily,truly-truly,amen-amen,it is so-it is so”- But is there also death before life? ~ for unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed, but if it dies, it produces many seeds ~ (John 12.24)
Is there life after death and does death precede life? Every time. It is a good day to die, my friends! Is it not? ~ For I (too) have been crucified with Christ! – When He died, “I” died. We identify with Him in His death.
I confess, (sorry ladies,- lol!) I am a married man. And as a sign and symbol that I belong (in blood-covenant relationship) to one (and only one!) woman, my “beloved,” I wear a ring. This ring doesn’t make me married, I currently am not wearing it, but with it or without it- I still belong (in blood covenant relationship) to one and only one; I am my beloved’s and she is mine. Oh.. and when we “both” are “rightly-related..” – well… let’s just say- it is a “good thing!”.
But the (other) half has not been told. The “testifier,” the one being baptized, the “witness” (can I get a witness?) has been left under water! Still underwater, still in the grave and more than likely at this point to be starting to think about a breath of fresh air! I can identify with this.. I’m rather fond of breathing myself!.. So let’s proceed on (quickly!) with “the rest of the story..”
I like this part! Part B? Part A is only half the story.. We are so *ahem, “concerned” with dying.. (but I don’t want to die!). Little friend, nobody wants to die, -our God-given desire is firmly fixed on life and living,- is it not? Is it okay if I live before I die? lol! Yes!! And now, part B. (This is the “good stuff!”)
We (who have died with Christ) are now “raised to walk in newness of life!” For *not only* do we identify with Him in His death, *but also* identify with Him in His (totally triumphant) resurrection.
Somebody stop me from shouting, (please..) I’m about to get real happy here. Can’t speak until I simmer down! Stop. Get you one of those “selah” moments.. Stop. And think about it.
For *not only* is the cross, the crucifixion, part of our identity (it is good to know who you are!), but the “crown of life” is now ours as well. If we die- we live. In death, there is life.
We (as Christians) have (for lack of a better word!) a tool at our disposal. That “tool” is Death. Death ain’t nuthin’ but a Door. And the invitation of Christ? “Enter in.” Come on in.. the water’s fine! Are you afraid of death and of dying? Why? ~ to die is gain! ~
Did (or did not) THE MESSIAH come up, rise up out of that borrowed tomb? Did (or did not) God roll away the stone that was sealed? Did (or did not) Yeshua appear to many after His resurrection? Did (or did not) -oh, how we could go on!- Christ conquer Death.. and sin.. and the grave.. and hasatan? Does (or does not) Christ (now) have ~ all authority in Heaven AND in earth? ~ and Who now reigns on Heaven’s throne?
And do (or do not- this, is *big*) we even have a clue of what we now possess *in Christ?*
Are we clueless Christians? or conquering Christians? Is there (he asked) -“Victory in Jesus?” Victory in life? and Victory in death? lol!- the best of both worlds! *in Christ..*- it’s all good!.
Wand’ring afar from the dwellings of men,
Hear the sad cry of the lepers, the ten;
“Jesus have mercy!” brings healing divine,
One came to worship, -but where are the nine?
Where are the nine?
Where are the nine?
Were there not ten cleansed?
Where are the nine?
Loudly the stranger sang praise to the LORD,
Knowing the cure had been wrought by His word,
Gratefully owning the Healer divine;
Jesus says tenderly, “Where are the nine?”
“Who is this Nazarene?” Pharisees say;
“Is He the Christ? Tell us plainly, we pray.”
Multitudes follow Him seeking a sign,
Show them His mighty works—where are the nine?
Jesus on trial today we can see,
Thousands deridingly ask, “Who is He?”
How they’re rejecting Him, your LORD and mine!
Bring in the witnesses—where are the nine?
Where are the nine?
Where are the nine?
Were there not ten cleansed?
Where are the nine?
~ Let the redeemed by YHWH say so, those whom He has redeemed (from גאל gā’al – “delivered, rescued,”- to act as near-kinsman) from the hand of the adversary ~ Psalm 107.2
And would you believe it? It just gets better!.. For there is a “part C!” The Coronation of the Christ. “Crown Him with many crowns!” Part “C” is a party to end all parties, (the wedding supper of the Lamb!) and all have been invited, for ~whosoever will, may come! ~
Hi Carl..still here reading Skip’s messages and reading the rest.. I am your silent and watchful fan from Canada.hahah..Enjoy reading the comments of all but especially enjoy the songs of praise to HIM. God bless you and all others who bring forth from where they are standing.
Excellent word! Now that the chicken is dead without its head, how does one stop it from running around? Why do you think there is so much failure in this area, even with Torah observers?
It’s bad enough that he speaks about baptism into death. But this statement comes in the midst of a chain of reasoning.
Rom 6: 1 What shall we say then ? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase ? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death ?
Continue in sin? Nah, can’t do that, he argues.
Why not?
Because you’re dead to sin.
Are we? How so?
Because at your baptism you were baptized into His death.
In an age of nominalism in so many Christian churches, the significance of Sha’ul’s argument is often overlooked. Baptism, he is saying, is more than just a symbol. It has something real and tangible to it. So real, that it is the reason we can overcome sin.
What excuse, then, do we have for the continued sin our lives? Are we prepared to say that Sha’ul got it wrong about the meaning of baptism into Christ’s death?
In case we’re not sure, Sha’ul, in his typical style of logic, follows these statements with a “therefore.”
4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
So the question we must ask ourselves is perhaps this one: How am I doing in this walk in the newness of life? Because every departure from it is a declaration that baptism is a failure.
Are we prepared to say that Sha’ul got it wrong about the meaning of baptism into Christ’s death?
Baptism, he is saying, is more than just a symbol. It has something real and tangible to it. So real, that it is the reason we can overcome sin.
Hi Ian,
I guess my question would be how could we possibly prove that Paul got it right?
Christ’s death is a transition from being to nothingness
This nothingness is apparently still available to us in Paul’s view
But how does Baptism in Christ prevent us from sinning or having sinful desires?
Based on what I see in Christian cultures around the world
Baptism doesn’t seem to work very well, when it comes to preventing sin
“From being to nothingness.” Is that some kind of metaphysical statement, Michael? If so, you’ll have to explain it.
And if not, you’ll still have to explain it. 🙂
What is this “nothingness” you refer to?
“Is that some kind of metaphysical statement, Michael?”
Hi Ian,
Well I really don’t feel comfortable discussing philosophical concepts
With a real philosopher in the “room” (Skip), but I’ll take a stab at this one 🙂
Yahweh is “no thing,” as you know, and I tend to believe that we have that quality too
However to the extent that we are physical bodies, we are “some thing”
As I understand it, nothingness is an “ontological” category rather than a metaphysical one
That is to say it has to do with how we “experience” the world as consciousness
I learned about it in an undergraduate class taught by my favorite teacher Fred Jameson
From WIKI: Jean Paul Sartre contends that human existence is a conundrum whereby each of us exists, for as long as we live, within an overall condition of nothingness (no thing-ness)—that ultimately allows for free consciousness.
Brothers and Sisters,
My little sister and her husband have not been heard from in well over two months, and at this point there has been no pertinent information to point to their whereabouts. Please pray for Crystal and Ovid Trimble.
Hi Brian,
I’m sorry to hear about your sister and her husband, that must be very frightening.
I will pray for their safe return.
My sister disappeared for a time (in Oregon) and then reappeared later in Florida. It’s scary just not knowing,… we will pray.
Brian, So sad for this serious thing to happen in your family life. I have prayed for them to be safe, and just too busy to contact, and for the Lord to use this to give all of you closer unity with each other through this. –Several months ago, I got a personal e-mail from Julia Canning that lives in England; asking me to pray for her daughters. I had never heard of her before, and replied saying that I would pray for her two daughters still living in the home, and asked her where she got my e-mail. She replied from Skip’s web site, when I wrote Brian speaking to him about prayer. She was so moved by what I had written you that she wanted me to pray for her girls. I could barely remember what I had written, or what you had written; but that just shows how God can work. So the Heavenly Father who sees and knows all will use many people to pray for your sister and her husband, Crystal and Ovid Timble. I noticed two others have already written, many others will do it without writing.
I will also ask the Lord to make something beautiful out of all this. Sometimes that is way down the line, but always will be a blessing to someone who needs it.
I think it could have been you that wrote several weeks ago and asked where the intercessors were. I personally want to say that there are many, and God is abundantly answering prayers. Look for those verses that state how many He had at different places in His Word. I love each one! I can not give you a reference now for them, as since Sept. 11, I have had major surgery, about three weeks later my husband became ill, and was admitted to the ER through a Cardiac Mediacal Team on Oct.31. He remained there until Nov.11, and has been home for two weeks on Mon. Nov.26. Our son came from Florida where he was on business to Central TX, ( he lives in Tucson), and stayed a week, but had an appt with FAA in Ohio, and had to leave, ( remember the Gov. people do not let you out of their appts!!!!). Since then I am the sole caretaker, business ex. driver, and all other things necessary for and 83 and 79 couple to live. BUT GOD HAS BEEN SO FAITHFUL, MY HEALTH CAME FORTH TO ALLOW ME TO DO A MAMMOTH JOB. I cooked a lovely No salt added Thanksgiving meal–using all our garden picked fresh Bell peppers, banana, jalapeno and two other types in the dressing, broth for gravy, and today we continued to eat it with zest and give thanks for being alive, and for the magnificent weather we have had here! May all who read this be full of God’s love for the great gifts He has provided for All who Seek Him with all their hearts, soul, minds, strength—- LaVaye Billings
Been there. Praying
Brian,
Praying for their safety; and, that sufficient information comes forth to bring a sense of peace and comfort to the family, regarding their circumstances.
I’m praying.
and how would you proceed to “tempt” one who was dead? Would one who was dead be “offended” by what we might say? Go ahead, carry it to the extreme, if one is dead, he or she is dead! But we must remember, not only are we “dead,” but we are also fully alive as well!
The gospel is “all of the above”- the death, burial and resurrection of Emmanuel, “God (both now and forevermore) with us.”
It is “no doubt” some heavy duty “stuff” we’re tossing around here, but our Savior did say (in John 17:23) ~ I in them and You in Me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me ~