Day 20 – Baptism: Identifying With Christ

Baptism Points Us to Christ

Today we come to an important subject in the Christian life:

Baptism.

Baptism has sometimes become a matter of tradition, denomination, or disagreement.

But before we ask what different churches teach about baptism, we should ask a more important question:

What does Scripture teach us?

Romans 6 gives us a beautiful picture.

Baptism points us to:

Christ’s death.

Christ’s burial.

Christ’s resurrection.

And our identification with Him.

Paul says:

“We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death…”

And then:

“…we too may live a new life.”

Baptism is therefore not simply a religious ceremony.

It points to a profound spiritual reality:

I belong to Jesus Christ.

“Baptised Into Christ Jesus”

Paul says:

“All of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus…”

The phrase is powerful.

Christian baptism points to belonging to Christ.

The believer is identifying publicly with Jesus.

It is a declaration:

“Jesus Christ is my Lord. I belong to Him.”

This is why baptism should never be treated as merely a cultural tradition.

It has a deeply Christian meaning.

The focus is not ultimately the water.

The focus is Christ.

Buried With Him

Paul says:

“We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death…”

The picture is powerful.

Burial represents death.

The old life is left behind.

The believer is identifying with Christ’s death.

This does not mean that the water itself magically removes sin.

Rather, baptism points to the Gospel reality that salvation comes through Christ’s death.

Jesus bore our sin.

Jesus gave Himself for sinners.

Jesus died for us.

The cross is the foundation of our salvation.

Raised to New Life

But the Gospel does not end with the grave.

Paul continues:

“…just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

This is the hope of Christianity.

Jesus rose.

And because Christ lives, the believer is called to live a new life.

Baptism therefore points in two directions:

Death to the old life.

Life in Christ.

We leave behind the rule of sin and follow Jesus Christ.

Baptism Is a Picture of the Gospel

The Gospel says:

Christ died.

Christ was buried.

Christ rose.

Baptism visually points us toward that message.

Going into the water can picture burial.

Coming out can picture new life.

It visibly points us to the Gospel reality of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

But we must be careful:

The picture is not the reality itself.

The water does not replace faith in Christ.

Christ is the Saviour.

Baptism Does Not Replace Faith

This is very important for The Open Gospel.

We have already learned:

Salvation is by grace through faith.

We are justified by faith.

Christ’s finished work is sufficient.

Therefore, we must not turn baptism into a human work that earns salvation.

A person is not saved because they have performed a ceremony.

We are saved because of what Jesus Christ has done.

Baptism is an act of obedience and identification with Christ.

It points toward the salvation we have received through Him.

Christ saves.

Baptism points to Him.

The Thief on the Cross

One of the clearest reminders that salvation does not depend upon performing religious ceremonies is the repentant criminal crucified beside Jesus.

He turned to Christ and said:

“Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” – Luke 23:42–43

Jesus responded:

“Today you will be with Me in paradise.”

The man had no opportunity to be baptised.

Yet Christ promised him paradise.

Why?

Because salvation rests upon Christ.

This does not make baptism unimportant.

It shows us that Christ is the foundation of salvation.

Baptism is important because Christ commands it.

But baptism does not become another Saviour.

Baptism Is Obedience

If baptism does not earn salvation, why should a believer be baptised?

Because Jesus commands His followers to be baptised.

Before ascending to heaven, Jesus told His disciples:

“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 28:19

Baptism therefore matters.

We should not say:

“Baptism is unnecessary because I have faith.”

Faith should lead us toward obedience.

When Christ commands something, His followers should take it seriously.

We do not obey in order to purchase salvation.

We obey because we belong to the One who has saved us.

Baptism Is a Public Identification

Baptism is also a public declaration.

The believer is saying:

“I identify with Jesus Christ.”

Not merely privately.

Not merely culturally.

Not merely because my family is Christian.

But personally:

“Christ is my Lord.”

This is important because Christianity is not merely an inherited identity.

You cannot inherit saving faith from your parents.

You cannot receive salvation simply because you were born into a Christian culture.

You must personally come to Christ in repentance and faith.

A Message for the People of the East

This is particularly important in places where Christian identity may be strongly connected with family, nationality, or tradition.

A person may say:

“I am Christian because my family is Christian.”

But Scripture asks a deeper question:

Do you belong to Christ?

A person may have been baptised as part of a family tradition.

But the Gospel calls every person personally to repent, believe, and follow Jesus.

Christianity is not simply a cultural identity.

It is a relationship with the living Christ.

Our confidence must be in Jesus.

Baptism Cannot Be Reduced to Tradition

This is another important point.

A practice can be biblical and still become traditional in ways that obscure its meaning.

We must always return to Scripture.

Ask:

What does baptism represent?

Why did Jesus command it?

What does the New Testament teach about it?

The answer should lead us back to Christ.

Not merely to a ceremony.

Baptism and the New Life

Romans 6 does not allow us to treat baptism as an isolated event.

Paul immediately connects it with how we live.

If we identify with Christ’s death and resurrection, then our lives should change.

We should no longer willingly live as slaves to sin.

We should seek holiness.

We should follow Christ.

We should pursue righteousness.

We should love others.

We should live differently because we belong to Jesus.

The outward act should point to an inward reality.

Baptism does not finish discipleship.

It points us toward a life of discipleship.

Grace Changes How We Live

We must never misunderstand grace.

Grace does not mean:

“I can continue living however I want.”

Paul addresses this very question in Romans 6.

If we have died to sin with Christ, why would we want to continue living in it?

The Gospel does not only forgive us.

It transforms us.

Christ does not merely rescue us from the penalty of sin.

He begins changing our lives.

We do not become obedient so that Christ will save us.

Christ saves us, and His grace begins to transform us.

Good works are not the price of salvation.

They are the fruit of a life that has received Christ.

Baptism Is Not the End

Baptism should never be viewed as:

“I have done my religious duty. Now I am finished.”

It is better understood as part of a life of discipleship.

After baptism comes:

following Christ.

learning His Word.

praying.

serving.

loving.

repenting.

growing.

sharing the Gospel.

persevering in faith.

The Christian life is a journey of following Jesus.

The water is not the destination.

Christ is.

What About the Form of Baptism?

Different Christian traditions practise baptism differently.

Some baptise by immersion.

Others use pouring or sprinkling.

There are also different traditions concerning the baptism of infants and believers.

These are serious theological questions, and Christians have disagreed about them throughout history.

But The Open Gospel must keep the main thing clear:

Baptism points us to Christ.

We should study Scripture carefully rather than simply accepting a practice because it is traditional.

The important question is always:

What does God’s Word teach?

We should approach these questions with conviction, humility, and a willingness to submit our beliefs to Scripture.

Baptism and the Church

Baptism also connects believers with the Christian community.

It is a public identification with Christ and His people.

You are saying:

“I belong to Jesus.”

And:

“I want to follow Him with His people.”

Christianity is not intended to be lived entirely alone.

We become part of Christ’s body.

We encourage one another.

We grow together.

We serve together.

We proclaim Christ together.

Baptism therefore points not only to our identity in Christ but also to our belonging among His people.

Your Identity Is in Christ

This may be the most important lesson today.

Your identity is not ultimately determined by:

your nationality.

your family background.

your church tradition.

your social status.

your past.

your failures.

your achievements.

If you belong to Christ:

Your identity is in Him.

Baptism points toward that identity.

You are declaring:

“I belong to Jesus.”

A New Life

Romans 6:4 says:

“We too may live a new life.”

This is the Christian hope.

The Gospel does not merely promise that our past can be forgiven.

It promises new life.

The old master no longer has the final word.

Sin no longer defines us.

Our past no longer owns us.

Christ has made us new.

And we are called to walk in that newness.

This new life is not achieved through our own strength.

It is lived through dependence upon Christ.

The Invitation

Perhaps you were baptised many years ago.

Or baptism was an important part of your family tradition.

Maybe you are considering baptism for the first time.

Perhaps you have never really understood what baptism means.

Whatever your situation, return to the central question:

What does Scripture teach?

And then return to the central Person:

Jesus Christ.

Do not place your confidence in water.

Do not place your confidence in ceremony.

Do not place your confidence in tradition.

Do not place your confidence in your family heritage.

Place your confidence in Christ.

If you belong to Christ, let your baptism remind you that you are identified with His death and resurrection and called to walk in newness of life.

If you are considering baptism, study Scripture carefully and follow Christ faithfully.

And if your baptism happened long ago, remember that following Jesus did not end when you left the water.

It continues every day.

Christ is our hope.