The Bible Echo, vol. 8

February 15, 1893

“Baptism—Its Significance” The Bible Echo 8, 4.

E. J. Waggoner

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 28:19. BEST February 15, 1893, par. 1

And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:15, 16. BEST February 15, 1893, par. 2

In these two texts we have the importance of baptism sufficiently set forth. Let us learn from the Scriptures what it signifies, and in so doing we shall show its nature and the necessity for it. BEST February 15, 1893, par. 3

That baptism does not consist merely in an outward form is indicated in 1 Corinthians 12:13: “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” It is true here as elsewhere that “the body is of CHRIST;” and that this is the body into which we are baptized, is positively stated in Galatians 3:27, where we read, “For as many of you as have been baptized into CHRIST have put on CHRIST.” BEST February 15, 1893, par. 4

Since it is by baptism that we become united to CHRIST,-“put on CHRIST,”-a very important question is, At what point do we come into contact with CHRIST? That is, At what stage in the ministry of CHRIST do we become united to him? The answer to this gives the key to the entire subject of baptism. This question is answered in Romans 6:3, 4, as follows:- BEST February 15, 1893, par. 5

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into JESUS CHRIST were baptized into his death? 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.” BEST February 15, 1893, par. 6

The death of CHRIST, then, is that by which we become united to Him. It is, so to speak, the marriage ceremony, by which we declare our union with CHRIST. Paul says, “I have espoused you to one Husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to CHRIST.” 2 Corinthians 11:2. Just as in ordinary marriage two persons are united, so that they are no longer two, but “one flesh,” so in putting on CHRIST we become one with Him. Paul, after declaring that a man shall leave father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh, adds, “This is a great mystery; but I speak concerning CHRIST and the church.” Ephesians 5:32. But in this union with CHRIST it is his personality that dominates: we yield to Him because swallowed up in Him-so that the one person is not us but CHRIST. BEST February 15, 1893, par. 7

Baptism signifies the death and resurrection of CHRIST. But it signifies more than a simple recognition of that fact. It signifies our acceptance of that sacrifice, and that we actually share his death and resurrection. If we ever are glorified with CHRIST, we must suffer with him. Romans 8:17. We must share the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to his death, and must also know the power of His resurrection. Philippians 3:10. Let us trace the course of this great transaction. BEST February 15, 1893, par. 8

“All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. Because all have sinned, judgment has come upon all men to condemnation. This condemnation is to death, for the wages of sin is death. See Romans 5:12, 18; 6:23. Every man that does not believe in CHRIST is condemned already. John 3:18. Sentence of death has already gone forth upon us, and our life is forfeited. In yielding to Satan, we have sold ourselves to him, and have received nothing in exchange. The Scripture says, “Ye have sold yourselves for naught.” Isaiah 52:3. Therefore we really have no life. This life that men live does not belong to them; they have given it, with themselves, into the power of Satan. And because sinners are condemned to death,-have forfeited their life,-the Scripture says that “he that believeth not the Son shall not see life.” John 3:36. He never has any life of his own. BEST February 15, 1893, par. 9

But the same scripture that says, “Ye have sold yourselves for naught,” says also, “Ye shall be redeemed without money.” CHRIST is the Redeemer. And because “the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their life-time subject to bondage.” Hebrews 2:14, 15. CHRIST came to seek and to save that which was lost. He came to give life to those who had forfeited their life to Satan. He, the stronger than the strong, came and entered into the prison-house of Satan, that He might redeem his captives. BEST February 15, 1893, par. 10

“Ye shall be redeemed without money.” “Knowing that ye were redeemed not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers; but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, even the blood of CHRIST.” 1 Peter 1:18, 19, Revised Version. Money could not purchase a single life. Life must be given for life; and the only life that could redeem a forfeited life is the life of CHRIST. He could buy us back only by giving his life for ours. That means that He gave His life to us, if we accept Him. He has life in Himself. He could lay down His life and take it again. When He lay in the grave, “it was not possible that He should be holden of it.” Acts 2:24. Herein He differed from man. If man should give up his life in payment of the forfeit, he would have nothing left. But CHRIST, whose life is of greater worth than that of all created beings, can give up His life and still have as much life left. Having paid the forfeit, He can give life to us in place of ours. If we accept His life, we are sure of life, no matter what becomes of this life. BEST February 15, 1893, par. 11

But in order to get His life, which is proof against the power of Satan, we must acknowledge that our life is lost, and that there is no righteousness in us, with which to give anything toward its redemption. Knowing that this life is not ours anyway, we must be willing to surrender it into the hands of CHRIST, in order that we may receive His life in exchange. This is most reasonable. It is a question of whether we will give our life to Satan, and get nothing in exchange, or to CHRIST, and get His life instead. It would seem as though everybody ought to decide without a moment’s hesitation; yet it is a struggle for everyone to give up this forfeited life for CHRIST’S. It is not pleasant to die, and they would fain put it off as long as possible, or even persuade themselves that they will not have to give up life at all. The reason for this is that giving up this life means giving up all that pertains to it. All that is of self must go with the life. Says the apostle Paul: “They that are of CHRIST JESUS have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof.” Galatians 5:24, Revised Version. BEST February 15, 1893, par. 12