The Baptism of Our Lord, Epistle, Romans 6:1-11                  

Romans 6:1-11

One of my most-visited passages. I believe it is a pivotal text. And as a Lutheran, it is even more critical to me than when I was an evangelical. By the way, the Lutherans were the first “evangelicals,” and to be known as one in 16th century Europe could mean the stake. Back to Romans 6. Baptism for a person outside of Jesus, along with placing him into Christ (glorious) also kills him (also glorious in its own right). And because that identification in Holy Baptism brings us the death of Christ, Paul assures us it also brings with it Jesus’ resurrection. (vv.5-11)

The Christian life or the process of sanctification does not occur to make us believers in Jesus. It happens to those who do believe in Jesus. The death procured in baptism brings faith, forgiveness and eternal life, (John 3:5; Titus 3:5-6; 1 Peter 3:21). And the life ushered to us is a life to be lived with an abandon, not reckless abandon mind you, but an abandon that knows the old life has been dealt its death blow.

The epistle to the Romans calls the Christian to full mental engagement. Ours is not a “fly by the seat of your pants” faith. Far from it. It is grounded in the historical person of Jesus of Nazareth, who was born for us at just the right time, (Galatians 4:4), and who “suffered for us under Pontius Pilate, (Apostle’s Creed, Article 2). And its pinnacle is the historically centered resurrection of Jesus that He, Himself proclaims most clearly, (Revelation 1:18). At its core, Romans 6 is about new life, namely our new life received, fueled, and lived from His.

Great news for living on the crest of a New Year.