The resurrection has always been the pivot point of the Gospel. The teaching of the resurrection was relentlessly the main thrust of the message that the apostles proclaimed to the world. The Apostle Paul tells us without the resurrection, we are still dead in our sins. It was Christ’s resurrection from the dead that was His ultimate triumph over Satan. The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that Jesus is the Son of God and that He has the power to save us from our sins. The teaching of the resurrection was what always got people into trouble with those who opposed them. The resurrection was the “flash point.”
Acts 4:1-3
The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.
Acts 4:33
With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.
Acts 17:18
A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.
Acts 17:32
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”
Acts 23:6
Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead.”
It is no wonder that the resurrection is such an important component of the Good news. It is by the resurrection that God has proven to the world that Jesus Christ is indeed the prophesied Redeemer. The resurrection is the ultimate miracle.
Romans 1:1-4
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
Acts 17:30-31
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”
So what does the resurrection have to do with baptism? Let’s look at what the apostles Peter and Paul taught:
1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Peter 3:21
and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Peter ties together three things in these verses:
1.) New birth (See John 3:1-5)
2.) Baptism
3.) The resurrection of Jesus Christ
Peter tells us that baptism saves us by the resurrection of Jesus Christ and baptism is a new birth. This is in perfect harmony with the rest of the scriptures. Paul explains how the resurrection and baptism tie together:
Romans 6:3-5
Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 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 live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.
One cannot teach baptism correctly without teaching that Jesus rose from the dead. It is through baptism that we become united with Christ in His death and consequently also in his resurrection.
To reject baptism, is to personally reject the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And to reject the resurrection of Jesus Christ is to reject Him as the Son of God.
Therefore, if we deny baptism, we deny Christ from raising us from death.
To reject baptism is to
reject the resurrection.
To reject the resurrection is to
reject Christ.
What is the meaning and purpose of baptism?
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