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Our Lord’s Example, May 17
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like
as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father,
even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:4
.
Jesus did not receive baptism as a confession of guilt on His own
account. He identified Himself with sinners, taking the steps that we are
to take, and doing the work that we must do. His life of suffering and
patient endurance after His baptism was also an example to us.
Christ as the head of humanity was to take the same steps that we
are required to take. Although sinless, He was our example in fulfilling
all the requirements for the redemption of the sinful race. He bore the
sins of the whole world. His baptism was to embrace the whole sinful
world who by repentance and faith would be pardoned. “After that
the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not
by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his
mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of
the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ
our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs
according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these
things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed
in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good
and profitable unto men.”
Titus 3:4-8
. Man was brought again into favor
with God by the washing of regeneration. The washing was the burial
with Christ in the water in the likeness of His death, representing that all
who repent of the transgression of the law of God receive purification,
cleansing, through the work of the Holy Spirit. Baptism represents true
conversion by the renewing of the Holy Spirit.
Those who have been buried with Christ in baptism, and been raised
in the likeness of His resurrection, have pledged themselves to live in
newness of life. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things
which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your
affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Colossians 3:1, 2
.
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