BAPTISM BURIAL

BAPTISM BURIAL

“Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” Col. 2:12

Since the rite of male circumcision was specifically a sign of identity with the earthly people of God, so this baptism has now become the necessary initiatory rite of all God’s people, whether male or female, Jew or Gentile, into the heavenly family of God. And by that I mean the spirit must be quickened, made alive from the dead. This baptism identifies the believer with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, as we are “buried with Him”, then “risen with Him” to a new spirit life. Water baptism does not facilitate new life for baptism in water does not save a person, while a quickened spirit brings new life and the power to overcome sin.

So we must ask the question: which baptism is Paul concerned with here, water or spirit?

1.    The element of water is not mentioned in this passage.

2.    The key to this passage is in verse 11 and in verse 14 "without hands" and "ordinances".

3.    This baptism is that which unites believer to Christ in death, burial, and resurrection.

4.    This baptism is undoubtedly the same as in Romans 6 which speaks of spirit baptism.

5.    If this is water baptism, then circumcision is the O.T. type, and infant baptism is valid.

6.    If this is water baptism, then Paul is inconsistent in his argument, for he is definitely against forms.

Obviously this is spirit baptism.

Water baptism symbolizes the tri-unity of God (Matt. 28:18-20).