Romans 6:1-6 Introduction: What is the Church? • The Church is where the Gospel is proclaimed. • The Church is where believers are gathered. • The Church is where the ordinances are observed. The Ordinances of the Church • An ordinance is a Christian ritual involving tangible elements (water, bread, wine). • Ordinances are an outward sign of an inward spiritual reality. • They are ongoing commands, essential to the life of the Church. The Meaning of Baptism • Baptism is the public sign of the New Covenant. • A believer publicly declares union with Christ and commitment to Him in baptism. • Baptism signifies: o Union with Christ. o Renunciation of the world, the flesh, and the devil. • Baptism is the church’s affirmation of a believer’s faith. Renouncing Sin and Embracing Christ • Romans 6:1-3 – Baptism symbolizes our death to sin and new life in Christ. • “I renounce Satan, and all his works, and all his pride.” • The baptized believer declares faith in Christ alone and allegiance to his Kingdom. Baptism as a Public Declaration of the Gospel • Romans 6:4 – Buried and raised with Christ. • Didache – “Baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” • The Trinitarian Gospel: o The Father sent the Son. o The Son lived, died, and rose again. o The Holy Spirit applies redemption. Union with Christ • Romans 8:1 – No condemnation for those in Christ. • 2 Corinthians 5:17 – A new creation in Christ. • Ephesians 1:3 – Every spiritual blessing is found in Christ. • Union with Christ means: • Justification—the law-court metaphor (Rom. 5:1; Titus 3:7) (no longer condemned) • Sanctification—the cultic metaphor (1 Cor. 1:2; 1 Thess. 4:3) (no longer defiled) • Adoption—the familial metaphor (Rom. 8:15; 1 John 3:1–2) (no longer orphaned) • Reconciliation—the relational metaphor (Rom. 5:1–11; 2 Cor. 5:18–20) (no longer estranged) • Washing—the physical-cleansing metaphor (1 Cor. 6:11; Titus 3:5) (no longer dirty) • Redemption—the slave-market metaphor (Eph. 1:7; Rev. 14:3–4) (no longer enslaved) • Purchase—the financial metaphor (1 Cor. 6:20; 2 Pet. 2:1) (no longer in debt) • Liberation—the imprisonment metaphor (Gal. 5:1; Rev. 1:5) (no longer imprisoned) • New birth—the physical-generation metaphor (John 3:3–7; 1 Pet. 1:3, 23) (no longer nonexistent) • Illumination—the light metaphor (John 12:35–36; 2 Cor. 4:4–6) (no longer blind) • Resurrection—the bodily metaphor (Eph. 2:6; Col. 3:1) (no longer dead) Baptism as a Mark of the Church • Galatians 3:25-29 – Baptized believers are one in Christ. • Colossians 2:10-15 – Buried and raised with Him through faith. • Baptism marks entry into the visible church, a public affirmation of faith. The Cost of Discipleship • Early Christians faced persecution for baptism. • Reformation Baptists were martyred for their convictions. • Today, baptism remains a public witness for Christ. Application: A Call to Obedience • For the Non-Believer: Acts 2:36-39 – “Repent and be baptized.” • For the Believer Who Has Not Yet Been Baptized: o Matthew 10:32-33 – “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will acknowledge before my Father.” o Baptism is a sign of obedience. • For the Baptized Believer: o Live out your baptism daily. o Renounce sin, take up your cross, and abide in Christ. o Rejoice in the security and blessings found in Him. Conclusion: Walking in Newness of Life • Romans 6:3-4 – Baptized into Christ’s death, raised to walk in new life. • Galatians 2:20 – “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Baptism is the public declaration of your union with Christ-renounce sin, walk in holiness, and rest in His finished work.