Question 167
How is our Baptism to be improved by us?
The needful but much neglected duty of improving our Baptism, is to be performed by us all our life long, especially in the time of temptation, and when we are present at the administration of it to others;a by serious and thankful consideration of the nature of it, and of the ends for which Christ instituted it, the privileges and benefits conferred and sealed thereby, and our solemn vow made therein;b by being humbled for our sinful defilement, our falling short of, and walking contrary to, the grace of baptism, and our engagements;c by growing up to assurance of pardon of sin, and of all other blessings sealed to us in that sacrament;d by drawing strength from the death and resurrection of Christ, into whom we are baptized, for the mortifying of sin, and quickening of grace;e and by endeavoring to live by faith,f to have our conversation in holiness and righteousness,g as those that have therein given up their names to Christ;h and to walk in brotherly love, as being baptized by the same Spirit into one body.i
How is our Baptism to be improved by us?
The needful but much neglected duty of improving our Baptism, is to be performed by us all our life long, especially in the time of temptation, and when we are present at the administration of it to others;a by serious and thankful consideration of the nature of it, and of the ends for which Christ instituted it, the privileges and benefits conferred and sealed thereby, and our solemn vow made therein;b by being humbled for our sinful defilement, our falling short of, and walking contrary to, the grace of baptism, and our engagements;c by growing up to assurance of pardon of sin, and of all other blessings sealed to us in that sacrament;d by drawing strength from the death and resurrection of Christ, into whom we are baptized, for the mortifying of sin, and quickening of grace;e and by endeavoring to live by faith,f to have our conversation in holiness and righteousness,g as those that have therein given up their names to Christ;h and to walk in brotherly love, as being baptized by the same Spirit into one body.i
a. Colossians 2:11–12; Romans 6:4, 6, 11
Colossians 2:11–12
2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 2:12 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.
2:11 In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands. 2:12 And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.
Romans 6:4; Romans 6:6; Romans 6:11
6:4 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. 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
6:4 We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. 6:6 We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. 6:11 So you too must count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
King James VersionBerean Standard Bible
b. Romans 6:3–5
Romans 6:3–5
6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 6:4 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. 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6:3 Or aren't you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 6:4 We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. 6:5 For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection.
King James VersionBerean Standard Bible
c. 1 Corinthians 1:11–13; Romans 6:2–3
1 Corinthians 1:11–13
1:11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 1:13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
1:11 My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 1:12 What I mean is this: Individuals among you are saying, "I follow Paul," "I follow Apollos," "I follow Cephas," or "I follow Christ." 1:13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?
Romans 6:2–3
6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
6:2 Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? 6:3 Or aren't you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
King James VersionBerean Standard Bible
d. Romans 4:11–12; 1 Peter 3:21
Romans 4:11–12
4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 4:12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 4:12 And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
1 Peter 3:21
3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
3:21 And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God-through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
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e. Romans 6:3–5
Romans 6:3–5
6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 6:4 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. 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6:3 Or aren't you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 6:4 We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. 6:5 For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection.
King James VersionBerean Standard Bible
f. Galatians 3:26–27
Galatians 3:26–27
3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
3:26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
King James VersionBerean Standard Bible
g. Romans 6:22
Romans 6:22
6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
6:22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life.
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h. Acts 2:38
Acts 2:38
2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
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i. 1 Corinthians 12:13, 25
1 Corinthians 12:13; 1 Corinthians 12:25
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. 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
12:13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink. 12:25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its members should have mutual concern for one another.
King James VersionBerean Standard Bible