Think about the day you were “baptized into Christ” (Romans 6:3). In repentance, you turned away from sin and confessed your faith in Christ.2 In trust, you went under the water and were “buried with Him through baptism” (Romans 6:4).3 From that grave, you were raised to “live a new life” (Romans 6:4). How many blessings you received on that day!
• You were “born again… born of water and the Spirit” to enter God’s kingdom (John 3:3,5).4
• Entering “into Christ,” you became God’s son and heir (Galatians 3:26-27; 4:6-7; Romans 8:15-17).
• You entered the Lord’s family, known as His body or church (1 Corinthians 12:13; Acts 2:41,47; Ephesians 1:22-23).
• You died with Christ, and left behind your old person of sin (Romans 6:4-11; Colossians 2:11-12).
• Your sins were forgiven, washed away by His blood (Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 1:5).
• You received a new life empowered by Christ’s resurrection (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 1:8; 3:21; Ephesians 1:19-20).
• You received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; 5:32; Ephesians 1:13-14; Galatians 4:6).
Indeed, your Father gives you every spiritual blessing “in Christ.” We have so much for which to thank Him!
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places… (Ephesians 1:3) M 5
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory (1 Peter 1:8). M
2. Confessing Christ; Acts 2:38; 3:19; (8:37); Romans 10:9-10; 1 Timothy 6:12
3. Research Subject – Baptism: The New Testament (NT) was written in the Greek language. In that language, “baptism” means immersion, a dipping, or plunging, usually under water. NT descriptions of baptism match this meaning e.g. Matthew 3:5-16; Mark 1:8-10; John 3:21-23; Acts 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12 cf. 2 Kings 5:14 in the Greek Old Testament (OT).
4. For a more complete study of John 3, please review or request the WBS course, Born of Water and Spirit. For notes on the context of John 3:5, please review Study Note – The Context of John 3 – in The Family of God.
5. The letter M beside a passage of Scripture stands for “Memory Verse(s).” It suggests that you may wish to memorize this passage or some part of it.
Pictures:
- Early baptistery in Ephesus. It was designed for immersion.
- Early baptistery in Philippi. It was designed for immersion. The cross shape evokes baptism into Christ’s death.