The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 178

\'ers. 3, 4.-Tlu significance of baptism. To suppose that the acceptance of the grace of God in Christ readers us careless about the further committal of sin is to mis- apprehend the nature of redemption. We cannot dissociate the external results of Christ's work from a consideration of its inward effects upon the mind and heart of the man who profits by it. For a practical refutation of the supposition, the apostle points io the acknowledged meaning of the ceremony wherein each believer indicates his close relationship to the Saviour. I. BAPTISM THE snmoL OIi' AN ALTERED LIFE. What can more forcibly set forth an abandonment of former feelings and behaviour than being "dead and buried"? The allusion here to immersion is questioned by none, and a water grave speaks elo- que1H.ly of a changed attitude to sin and the world. We are so constituted that this appeal to the senses powerfully impresses both the actual participator in the act a_nd the spectators of the living picture. II. A snmoL OF OOllPLETE FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST. The follower of Christ repeats in his inwacd experience the death, the bwial, and the resurrection of Christ.. These were necessitated by the presence and enormity of sin, and to "put on Christ" as our Redeemer is to adopt his crucifi.xion and subsequent triumph as our expressiou of b&tred ag:ailllit all that perverts the moral order of the world. 'fo be immersed into t.b.e de.ath of Christ is to be completely surrendered to tho claims of the Son of God, and to share his hostility to evil, rejoicing in his conque~t over death and the gravo, and the adverB&IY of mankind. By compliance with his commandment does the dis- ciple signify hie entire dedication to his Master's service. IIL CBARACTEBlB'l'lCB OJI' THIB lIEW LIFE. Emerging from the burial, the candi- date rises with Christ as his Example and Companion. His is to be an active life, "a walk," not a dreamy repose of self-absorption into the bliss of Nirvana. The contrast to the old career wa.s exemplified in the resurrection gladness and glory of the Lord. No more was sin to exert its baleful influence; the body of the risen Lord no longer could be tortured with hu::iger and thirst and suffering. The Saviour was limited no longer by material barriers; he was endowed with full authority from on high, and cn,wned with ever-increasing splendour. When the Apostle Paul saw his Lord, the brightness excelled the noonday sun. These triumphs are in their degree repeated in the spiritnal life of the baptized believer. He casts off the works of darkness and puts on the armour of light. He keel's his body under, so that the spirit rules. The voice from heaven procla.imB him Gods beloved son. Inst~ of anguish t~ere is P.eace a,!1d joy. He aits in heavenly places, and God calllleth him always to triumph 1n Clmst Jesua. Such is the ideal life of fellowship with Christ in his resurrection, shadowed forth by the ucent from tha baptismal waters.-S. B. A. Ver. 16.-Not 11UUt,er1, but aervant,. The knowledge of a truth is not synonymous with its practical recugnition in our daily life. " Know ye not?" calls plain attention to thr: constq uencea of behaviour. It is the b1111iness of Seri pture and freaching to, e_mpha:,ize thr: importance of our personal acts. We are not really masterB 1n any cond1t1on. Ihe curwl vr uncurbtd etted of <iur dctiires is working in some service, ho it of sin or of God, OH, VI. 1-28,] THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS. 175