Romans 6:4, commentary and pictures

Baptism buries the believer with Christ into His death and raises him up out of the water in the likeness of Christ's resurrection to walk in a new life. That burial is by immersion, going down under the water into a watery grave and being lifted up again, portraying Christ's death, burial and resurrection. The burial avails only after death to sin and self and the world, for to be baptized without dying is to be buried alive and to rise to no newness of life. In baptism a most solemn covenant and oath of allegiance is made in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost to belong to the Lord and be dead to sin, while the three great powers of heaven pledge themselves to give power and grace to keep it. The new life is not mere improvement of the old nature but entire conversion and sanctification by the Holy Spirit, a life hid with Christ in God, sustained by daily surrender and walking in obedience, separation from the world, and fruit-bearing love.

Baptism as Burial

Therefore burial with Christ by baptism into death means those baptized into Jesus Christ are baptized into His death and joined to His death. This joining pictures burial with Him, and as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father so the baptized are to walk in newness of life, no longer living in sin but yielding to God and practicing Christ's life in conformity to His will. The burial signifies death to sin and a pledged new life unto Christ, representing redemption through daily genuine faith by partaking of the divine nature, looking to Jesus and accepting His holiness as pattern, learning His meekness and lowliness, and walking after His life in regeneration unto the formation of His pattern life. Those dead to sin are planted together in the likeness of His death and resurrection, with the old man crucified that the body of sin might be destroyed and they should not serve sin, freed from sin and living with Christ who dies no more, reckoning themselves dead indeed to sin but alive to God through Jesus Christ, letting sin not reign in the mortal body nor yielding members as instruments of unrighteousness but yielding themselves to God as alive from the dead and their members as instruments of righteousness, because sin shall not have dominion over those under grace, with eternal life as the gift of God through Jesus Christ. The whole chapter is to be carefully studied that believers may realize the responsibility to walk worthy of their high calling, and those with great light and many advantages must be intensely in earnest to obtain help and grace from Christ to properly represent the faith, striving for this risen walk.

The burial is by immersion, going down into the water and under the water with the waters covering the candidate in a watery grave, then being raised up out of the water. Baptism by immersion pictures being buried with Christ and rising from the watery grave to a new life, leaving the world behind and beginning a changed life no longer of the world. It is done by leading candidates down into the water and burying them, as in a lake, kept as a sacred ordinance with due solemnity before a congregation, fitting for youth who present themselves for it. It is a solemn ordinance and a heavy cross to take up, yet it gives peace like a river with the resting power of the Lord, followed by reception into full membership in the church. It is given after seeking the Lord and examination of candidates, and rising brings newness of life as a lighted countenance from Christ's righteousness, available even to the helpless who must be carried into the water by others.

Going under is in the likeness of Christ's death and burial and coming up is in the likeness of His resurrection, so baptism portrays and commemorates His death, burial and resurrection. The repentant believer in conversion goes down into the water in the likeness of Christ's death and burial and is raised out of the water in the likeness of His resurrection. This rising represents entrance into a new life in Christ Jesus, not a return to the former life of sin nor merely patching up the old life, but a break with the old life of sin and commitment to live the new life. Baptism is the memorial of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, and Christ's resurrection is commemorated in baptism, not by consecrating the first day of the week and making it a Sabbath.

The water at the marriage at Cana symbolized baptism into Christ's death, being joined to Christ in His death. The wine made from that water symbolized the shedding of Christ's blood for the purifying of the sins of the world. Together the water and the wine were a symbol of the means of salvation, and the ample provision made for the wedding guests shows the abundant provision made for blotting out the iniquities of men.

Immersion is the one Scriptural mode, and sprinkling is not Bible baptism. Baptism is burial with Christ in water by immersion in a body of water such as a bay or lake, given to believers after preaching, as when twenty-nine were buried with Christ in baptism. It is to be done decently and in order in pure running water such as a lake or bay when possible rather than in a box in a church, carried out reverently, neatly and appropriately, with suitable robes for the candidates and the administrator, with due solemnity before witnesses and a congregation, accompanied at times by hymns of praise. It is available even to children and to older ones, fitting for youth and for a young child at a camp-meeting after receiving saving spiritual instruction, and for the helpless who must be carried into the water by others.

Baptism follows Christ's own example and is a required step with repentance toward God for transgression of the law and faith in Christ, entering faith in His death and resurrection. It is one of the steps a sinner must take to become a child of God and an heir of heaven, together with repentance and belief, taken after conversion, repentance and faith to follow Christ's example and fulfill all righteousness in obedience to Christ's command in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, connecting the believer with Jesus Christ and signifying death to the world. It means repentance for sin and entering a new life in Christ Jesus, being buried in the likeness of Christ's death and raised again from the water in the likeness of His resurrection to walk in newness of life and become witnesses to the world. It is required even of those with outwardly faultless lives, with no outbreaking sins and no deep conviction of sin, for Christ was wholly righteous, spotless and pure, yet He Himself took this step to give the example for sinners, so no one with the light of truth should hesitate in humility to confess sin and show faith in the atonement by word and action, and the failure of professed Christians who do not live out their profession is no reason to refuse baptism. The eunuch was taught to repent of breaking God's law, believe in Christ as Savior, and be baptized in the likeness of Christ's death.

John's baptism was only unto repentance, while the baptism given by Christ's disciples is unto a new life. At the time Christ's disciples were baptizing large numbers, though Christ Himself baptized none, a question arose among the Jews and John's disciples whether the act of baptism purifies the sinner from the guilt of sin.

Death to Sin First

Burial with Christ by baptism into death must come only after death to sin, to self, to the world with its sinful propensities and distractions, and to a life of selfishness, for to be baptized without dying is to be buried alive, as horrible as the burial of a live person. Conversion itself is a change so marked as to be represented by death, a passing from living, active vigor of life to death followed by newness of life. This transformation is proved by marked evidences in the fruits shown in the life, so no one need be deceived about whether it has taken place, and anyone who has not experienced it must not rest but must make seeking the Lord with all the heart the all-important business of life. The baptism is in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, whose power is pledged to everyone who lays hold of grace through prayer and sacrifice and cutting off hindrances to Christ.

Many go through the form of burial with the Lord in baptism who have never died to sin, were buried alive because self did not die, and did not rise to newness of life. Baptism alone, taking Christ's name, undergoing the ordinance, or joining the church does not prove union with Christ or that a person has joined Christ, for true conversion is a change of heart and life. The new birth is rare, many who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy which causes perplexities in the churches, and thousands who claim to be religious show by unsanctified lives that they are not Christians. Those baptized while never converted still hold self-indulgence, murmuring, faultfinding, hatred of reproof and enmity with God, bring the old life with them into the church, and do not walk in newness of life.

Dying means denying self, taking up the cross and following Christ. It is an open renunciation of sin before many witnesses upon profession of faith in Jesus Christ that testifies to deadness to the reigning power of sin. Those baptized without this death remain far from God, cringing and bowing before some earthly idol in spiritual adultery without knowing it, and self-centered professing Christians do not discern what baptism into His death means. Learning what baptism into His death means is a first lesson that guards against alienation and strife stirred up by evil angels watching for a chance to work. Those baptized are to be dead to self, not carrying their old self-indulgent habits into church while remaining full of murmuring and fault-finding, for baptism without this death to self leaves a person spiritually unchanged.

In that burial sins are transferred to Christ who was made sin for us, Christ's righteousness is made over to the believer, and the believer is made the righteousness of God in Him. This is because God made His Son the sacrifice for sin and condemned sin in the flesh, so that man may become a partaker of the divine nature and escape the corruption that is in the world through lust. Rising from the watery grave means walking in newness of life by faith in the power of Him who raised Christ from the dead.

Baptism is a most sacred and important ordinance meaning repentance of transgression and sin and entrance upon a new life in Christ Jesus, and it requires thorough understanding of its significance, counting the cost, examination and no undue haste. Those seeking baptism must be examined to see whether they have ceased to sin, understand what sin is, hate and turn from sin with hatred of sin, hold firm moral principles and righteous principles, and are free from moral defilement. Baptism is not fitting for those who continue in sin or in sinful practices. Its deep meaning must be taught with careful, prayerful thought and thorough instruction in its obligations, especially for youth, so the newly baptized do not remain ignorant but pledge to devote life to God's service, enter covenant relation with God, take the name Christian, accept Christ as Saviour with power to become sons of God, and from then on live the life of Christ. When children desire baptism, parents have a work of self-examination and faithful instruction, and in consenting pledge themselves to be faithful stewards over their children, to guide them in character building and to guard them as lambs of the flock that they may not dishonor the truth they profess. Baptism as following the Lord requires preparation.

When clearer understanding of God's will reveals sin and a changed faith and life, a believer may seek baptism again as a sign of renewed commitment, of dying to sin and being buried with Christ with desire to rise and live a new life and to walk in that newness of life. Its call to walk in newness of life applies to those who repent, turn from selfishness and self-exaltation, and receive the Spirit's converting influence. Rebaptism is not fitting until they are dead to sin and ready to live this new life for God.

Raised with Christ

Baptism does not leave believers in the grave, for as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father and came forth in triumph from Joseph's rent sepulcher never again to lie in the grave, so those buried with Him are raised in the likeness of His resurrection to walk in newness of life. The going down into the water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost is burial with Christ into death, and the rising up out of the water is in the likeness of His resurrection by the same divine power that raised Him. That rising marks an open renunciation of sin and Satan, death to the old sinful life and separation from the enemy, with a sacred pledge to live in close communion with Christ, to serve God, to devote life and every entrusted gift to His service, to live in obedience to His law, and to share in Christ's self-denial and suffering.

Christ Himself is the resurrection and the life to every believer, and His rising demonstrates His power as the Resurrection and the Life. He broke the fetters of the tomb so that every person might rise to newness of life, dying to the world, being buried with the Lord in baptism, and rising as a new creature in Christ Jesus. Being raised up out of the water is in the likeness of Christ's resurrection, for He is the resurrection and the life, so that the risen believer walks in newness of life with thoughts set on things above where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Those baptized are dead, and their life is bound up with the life of Jesus Christ, living in Him as He abides in them, united as one and actuated by His mind to think right thoughts and speak right words, and if obedient since taking baptismal vows none of the old sins clings to them. If they keep their pledge to die to sin and remain dead to the world and alive in Him, growing in grace and not forgetting cleansing from sin, Christ who declared Himself the resurrection and the life will keep His pledge to keep them, with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit approving the commitment and pledging help as the Christian seeks to honor God.

Coming up out of the water is the symbol of resurrection and represents entrance into a new life hid with Christ in God, not a return to the former life of sin. Baptism portrays and commemorates Christ's death, burial, and resurrection for the repentant believer in conversion: going down under the water is in the likeness of His death and burial, and being raised out of the water is in the likeness of His resurrection. The one raised from baptism is not to take up the old life of sin but to live a new life in Christ Jesus, marking a break with the old life and a commitment no longer to obey the world, follow its fashions, or be corrupted by its society, but to come out separate and live as sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. Walking in newness of life means not staying in the same old life and not merely patching up a defective experience every day, but living in the holiness of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who are pledged to keep believers if they comply with the conditions.

Christ's resurrection is commemorated in baptism, and it does not consecrate the first day of the week and make it a Sabbath.

This new life leads onward to entrance into the city of God to be welcomed by Christ to behold His glory. Those risen with Christ to walk in newness of life are the elect of God, holy unto the Lord and acknowledged by Him as His beloved, and living the life of Christ in this world makes them partakers of the divine nature, so that when Christ who is their life shall appear they also will appear with Him in glory. Walking in that risen life is being dead to earthly things with life hid with Christ in God, seeking those things which are above where Christ sits at the right hand of God and setting affection on things above and not on things on the earth. Those who day by day accept Christ as a personal Saviour and partake of His word have the life of Christ in them, so even if they die they will rise at the resurrection of the just to newness of life, and those who end this life in faith lie down to rest knowing that in the morning of the resurrection they will rise to newness of life.

The whole chapter must be carefully studied that believers may realize the responsibility resting on them to walk worthy of their high calling. Those who are dead to sin and baptized into Jesus Christ are baptized into His death and buried with Him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father they also should walk in newness of life. They are planted together in the likeness of His death with the promise of being also in the likeness of His resurrection, with the old man crucified that the body of sin might be destroyed and they should not serve sin, freed from sin and living with Christ who dies no more. They are to reckon themselves dead indeed to sin but alive to God through Jesus Christ, letting sin not reign in the mortal body nor yielding members as instruments of unrighteousness but yielding themselves to God as alive from the dead and their members as instruments of righteousness, because sin shall not have dominion over those under grace, with eternal life as the gift of God through Jesus Christ. Those who have had great light and many advantages must be intensely in earnest to obtain help and grace from Christ to enable them properly to represent the faith, and this risen walk is something to strive for.

Covenant with Heaven

Baptism is a most solemn pledge, covenant, oath of allegiance and vow made in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost to belong to the Lord. It is made by those truly converted to Jesus Christ, who are buried with Him into His death and raised as He was raised by the glory of the Father, to be dead to sin, to the world and to a life of sin, and to walk henceforth in newness of life. Going down into the water is being dead to the world and its temptations, being laid in a watery grave with the waters covering the candidate in renunciation of the world, and rising is being lifted to live the new life of loyalty to God and obedience to His requirements. In that act the believer is given to the Lord as a vessel to be used, unites with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and vows to live after Christ's pattern.

The vow is made as a profession before many witnesses, with heaven beholding the scene. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit with the whole heavenly universe behold the service, hear the vows to walk henceforth in newness of life, approve the act and accept the commitment. The three greatest representatives of heavenly authority are invisible but present witnesses, and in baptism they approve the believer's act and pledge their power to help as he strives to honor God.

In return the three great powers of heaven pledge themselves to the baptized to cooperate with them and to work in and through them. Their power is pledged to everyone who lays hold of grace, to supply every deficiency, to give power and grace to resist every temptation to dishonor God, to keep from falling, and to fulfill every promise toward those who strive to follow Christ. Those baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost have the pledge of the three highest powers, who will never fail but can be surely relied upon when downcast and oppressed, giving strength to come out separate and no longer obey the world, follow its fashions or be corrupted by its society. The baptismal vow so obligates keeping Christ's commandments and abiding in His love as He kept His Father's commandments, living the truth before all associates and showing them the love Christ shows.

By that covenant the believer is united with the highest powers in the heavenly courts, bound to Christ, and brought into God's family and covenant relation. Taking the vows covenants to live the life Christ lived on earth, taking the name Christian, accepting Christ as Saviour and receiving power to become sons of God, with a Father to call upon in every perplexity. God places His sign upon the baptized, marking them as members of the royal family, pledged to come out from the world and separate from its idolatrous practices, to live for Christ before angels and men, and to walk with a character different from the world, not dressing just like the world or talking just like the world. Christ then molds the character of everyone who follows in His footsteps after the divine likeness, so that bearing His likeness they represent Him before the world as children of the heavenly King and workers together with Him.

The cooperation calls for unreserved surrender to God and following on step by step to know the Lord as one raised from the dead, a new creature with mind changed into conformity with the mind of Christ. It is given if he places himself in right relation to God according to his accountability, watches against the temptations of the enemy, resists the devil so he will flee, guards his appetite, discerns weak points of character and guards against them with rigor, and does what he can do for himself by using intelligence and reasoning from cause to effect. God will not counteract the use of injurious substances, and without this cooperation he will stumble along in self-sufficiency and moral independence, unable to comply with the conditions to be kept in the holiness of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit or to stand as victor over Satan's beguiling seductions. Breaking the covenant by setting up idols in the heart, uniting with the foes of Christ, rejecting the perfect righteousness Jesus offers, and choosing the amusements, vanities, follies and condemned ways of the world instead of conforming conduct to the just and holy requirements of God's law brings guilt and wages proportionate to light and privileges received, and judgment more severe than that of heathen who never had light and never knew God or His law.

Nature of New Life

The new life is true sanctification and conversion, not merely an improvement of the old nature but a wholly new life arising from death to self and sin, a transformation and new birth brought about only through the effective working of the Holy Spirit. It is the definition of true sanctification taught in the Sermon on the Mount, taking Christ's holy life as object-lesson and pattern for His followers, being crucified with Christ and buried with Him and then quickened by His Spirit so as to be filled with His life. The washing of regeneration is burial with Christ in water in the likeness of His death, bringing man again into favor with God, representing purification and cleansing from transgression of the law through the work of the Holy Spirit, which is true conversion by the renewing of the Holy Spirit.

It is union with Christ through living faith and daily surrender, being crucified, buried and raised with Him so as to walk in newness of life, with Christ dwelling within and the Holy Spirit working in the believer. Abiding in Christ means becoming dead to the world and alive to Christ and partaker with Him of His resurrection-life that glorifies Christ in the believer, with Christ formed within as the hope of glory, fitting the believer to do the work for the Master that no one else can do and to wear the crown of life. This new life belongs to sanctification and comes through the virtue and efficacy of Christ's mediation, quenching self-exaltation and ambition to be first and grounding heavenly-mindedness in Christ's mind and spirit. Oneness with Christ through renewing of the mind by the Holy Spirit gives strength to walk in newness of life with forgiveness received from Christ, making the person a cleansed vessel sanctified and fit for the Master's use, with self dead and Christ living within. That vital, saving union is received by eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God, by which believers partake of the divine nature and become one with Christ as Christ is one with God, so that the quickening of the Holy Spirit gives life to the soul and reveals God's character as Christ abides in the heart.

It is sustained now as constant spiritual life by looking to Jesus and accepting His holiness as pattern, learning His meekness and lowliness, walking after the life of Christ in regeneration unto the formation of His pattern life through daily genuine faith by partaking of the divine nature. It requires daily reception of the Holy Spirit that brings eternal life to the soul, and oneness with Christ and the renewing work of the Holy Spirit bringing forgiveness, death of self, and a character in which Christ lives and works within. Those baptized are dead with life bound up with the life of Jesus Christ, living in Him as He abides in them united as one, actuated by His mind to think right thoughts and speak right words, remaining dead to the world and alive in Him and growing in grace without forgetting cleansing from sin. The Spirit changes the heart of stone to a heart of flesh, and the believer partakes of the Word of God, eating the flesh and drinking the blood of Christ to obtain an experience after the divine similitude, with Christ abiding in the heart by faith so that the believer becomes the temple of God and, sanctified by obedience to the truth, represents Christ's righteousness. The new life is lived through faith as the will is yielded to Christ in continual surrender to God, receiving strength from above to remain steadfast.

To walk in newness of life is to walk in the light, meaning advancement and progress in spiritual attainments and perfecting holiness in the fear of God. It means to resolve, to exercise thought and exert will power in earnest endeavor to represent Christ in sweetness of character, to put away all gloom, and not to rest satisfied simply in saying, I am a child of God. It means beholding Jesus and by beholding becoming changed into His likeness, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before. It is the same as to walk uprightly, to walk in the way of the Lord, to walk by faith, to walk in the Spirit, to walk in the truth, and to walk in love. It is to serve God in newness of life with gladness every day, walking before Him in obedience with grateful thanksgiving, appreciating the great plan of redemption and realizing the high privilege as children of God whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life, casting all care upon Him who cares, rejoicing as the heritage of the Lord clothed in Christ's righteousness as the white robe of His saints and in the blessed hope of the soon coming of the Saviour.

It means being dead with life hid with Christ in God, seeking and setting affection on things above where Christ sits at the right hand of God until appearing with Him in glory. Baptism is a solemn testimony to angels and men that old sins are purged and the old life is dead to the world, declaring the forgiven sinner going under the water and rising from the watery grave a new creature whose life is hid with Christ in God. To walk in newness of life is to have the life lived in the flesh merged into the life of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost and lived in faithful obedience to God's sacred law and to every word proceeding out of the mouth of God, having experienced the new birth, acknowledging the Lord Jehovah as Ruler and God and acknowledging His covenant. It is fulfilled by mortifying earthly members, not by overcoming in human strength but by constant dependence in faith as co-laborers with God, trusting the Head of the church to give the presence of the Holy Spirit in proportion to need. That new life means seeking the things above, and calls for praise with every breath for heaven's pledged cooperation to live it in Christ.

Its evidences are marked fruits proving a change so marked as to be represented by death, a passing from living, active vigor of life to death followed by newness of life, about which no one need be deceived and which must be sought with all the heart as the all-important business of life if not yet experienced. Dying to sin and being made alive in Christ changes character so that God's grace subdues the natural, unsanctified desires, sanctifies the understanding, fills the heart with divine love, and fits the person to desire and enjoy heaven's purity and holiness and the company of the holy, bringing joy, knowledge and the light of life. Living in newness of life means practicing purity and holiness in this life, with life and character shaped by what God has revealed giving practical evidence of a hold on eternal life. In those buried with Christ and cleansed from sin and raised with Him, the old life of harshness and arbitrary rule driven by passion and governed by carnal feeling must pass away, with faultfinding and scolding ending and forbearance, compassion and love taking their place in the home, with watchfulness lest self and unchristlikeness return in sharp tones and irritating words toward children shaped by parental example. The newness is also reflected in a changed heart and outlook after receiving assurance of Jesus' love, where gloom gives way to peace and happiness and life and creation appear different, with past affliction seen as serving a merciful purpose by turning the heart from worldly pleasures toward heaven.

It is daily repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ, exercising unto godliness according to ability in cooperation with God, bearing like fruit as branches of the True Vine receiving nourishment and stimulation from the vine, marking all who take their position on the Lord's side as sons and daughters of God who deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. All who are converted walk in newness of life by making God's will their law and obeying His counsel whatever the cost through His strength. True repentance brings newness of life as an entire change in mind and character brought about by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit, expelling pride and self-confidence that tempts human beings to rise up in mistaken independence. It gives confidence in the forgiving and pardoning mercy of God's love with Christlike zeal for the advancement of His work, manifest in humbling of self and exaltation of righteousness, following strictly where Jesus leads, in earnest words and works as a faithful watchman laboring together with God for souls ready to perish.

Living the Baptismal Vow

The risen life pledged in baptism is a life of obedience to God's requirements, law and commandments, lived by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God and testified before angels and men. Going down into the water pledges death to the world and its temptations, and rising from the watery grave pledges walking in newness of life, which is faithful obedience in which the promised blessings of God's covenant still in force are received. That obedience includes acknowledging the Lord Jehovah as Ruler and God, acknowledging His covenant, experiencing the new birth with the life hid with Christ in God and merged into the life of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, seeking those things which are above where Christ sits at the right hand of God, and keeping the Sabbath as the sign between God and His people. By renouncing sin and becoming dead to the world the baptized enters a solemn covenant to devote life and every entrusted gift to God's service and to share in Christ's self-denial and suffering.

It requires coming out separate from the world, its spirit, customs, fashions, evil practices, idolatrous habits, lightness and trifling, no longer obeying the world, following its fashions, or being corrupted by its society, but living as sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty unspotted from the world. Baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost is a solemn token and pledge made in sight of the heavenly universe to be dead to the world and to sin, with the power of the three highest powers in heaven pledged to everyone who lays hold of grace through prayer and sacrifice and cutting off hindrances. Keeping that living connection with Christ and with God means living the truth before all associates, showing the spirit and love of Christ in life and character, escaping corruption through lust, and showing distinction from the world rather than dressing, talking, looking, acting and thinking just like the world. To act, look, dress, talk and think like the world after baptism breaks the pledge and greatly dishonors God, for the baptized is dead to the world but alive unto God to walk humbly with God rather than aping fashions, studying fashion books, and seeking worldly things.

It dedicates every faculty, possession and gift to God, no longer belonging to self but bought with a price, bound up with Christ's life and dedicated to God, Christ and the Holy Spirit. Worldly concerns are put second, with turning from pride, self-indulgence, carelessness and indifference, using all that one has and all abilities for His glory in a life of cross-bearing, self-denial and close communion with Christ after open renunciation of sin and Satan. The new life means spending money unselfishly to advance God's work and sustain Christian missions, denying self rather than letting God's cause suffer, doing appointed work according to ability, and keeping every word and act in accordance with God's will with a conscience void of offense toward God and man. Those who have made this commitment must not take it back, but be moved to greater sacrifice and earnest work for the lost, with the whole person used as an instrument of righteousness under God's control.

It pledges labor henceforth for Christ as God's helping hand to rescue perishing souls from Satan's deceptive power, laying every Christian under obligation to help fellow men by cooperating with Him. Those buried with Christ and raised to newness of life give others a living representation of Christ's life, doing the work God gives to bring glory to Him and enlighten others, with conduct showing the power of heavenly grace. This is shown by working out Christ's teachings in truth and righteousness, confessing Him to the world, denying self, making sacrifices to save souls, speaking testimonies of grace from a softened heart, shining as lights, and bearing fruit as the evidence of belonging to Jesus Christ and of keeping the pledge. Having a name on the church book is not enough; the new life in Christ is not lived in human strength but in strength received from above, pledged at baptism by the three highest powers of heaven to aid separation from the world's customs, fashions, evil practices and habits.

Keeping the vow requires discerning weak points of character and guarding against them with the rigor proclaimed by Jesus Christ the pattern man, being dead to earthly things with life hid with Christ in God and setting affection on things above until appearing with Him in glory. It is lived not by overcoming in human strength but by constant dependence in faith on the pledged power and grace of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit ever awaiting the believer's call to resist every temptation to dishonor God and to stand victor over Satan's beguiling seductions. The baptismal vow made in the presence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to do the will of Christ must never be forgotten, and faithfulness to it gives the heart-preparation needed for salvation and for saving souls. Any who have not lived up to it must redeem the past by turning to humble obedience, putting off the old man with his deeds and putting on the new man renewed after God's image in mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, forgiveness, love, peace and thankfulness, so as to appear with Christ in glory when He appears.

In the home the old life of harshness and arbitrary rule driven by passion and governed by carnal feeling must pass away, with faultfinding and scolding ended and forbearance, compassion and love taking their place. Watchfulness is needed lest self and unchristlikeness return in sharp tones and irritating words toward children shaped by parental example. When children desire baptism, parents have a work of self-examination and faithful instruction, pledging themselves to be faithful stewards over their children, to guide them in character building, train them for the Lord, and guard them as lambs of the flock that they may not dishonor the truth they profess but meet baptism understandingly and grow into noble men and women. Mere knowledge of the truth is not enough; baptism calls for sanctification through the truth, revealing the meekness and lowliness of Christ in a new life with the heart prepared to receive the golden oil.

Baptism marks a break with the former life and a beginning of new life devoted to God and lived anew unto Him in faithful service, leaving behind the influence called the spirit of Grandmother to live free in God. Being washed and living in newness of life are joined to baptism in the faith of Jesus and obedience to God's commandments, including the seventh-day Sabbath. Those who held this application taught it is required for those not baptized since 1844 and for those baptized into professed churches, connecting that faith with keeping God's commandments, the shut-door message, and Jesus' coming to sit on David's throne and redeem Israel. The children's baptism expressed their wish to become Christians, resist temptation, and remain faithful.

Its call to newness applies as a need to be washed and made ready to stand in the day of the Lord. It means going down into the water to break bondage to the influence of an evil spirit, then living in newness of life unto God by rebuking every particle of that spirit, coming out from it entirely, asserting liberty in the name of the Lord, being free, and standing in the liberty of the sons of God. It means accepting the light now shining upon the pathway and making a decided choice without delay to walk in newness of life by walking in the light as Christ is in the light, following Him so as not to walk in darkness but to have the light of life, putting away everything cherished as an idol that separates from Christ.

Baptism is immersion, going down into the water and rising from a watery grave to a new life, a solemn ordinance and heavy cross that gives peace like a river and comes with the resting power of the Lord. Rising brings newness of life as a lighted countenance from Christ's righteousness and joy to angels of God, followed by reception into full membership in the church. It is given after seeking the Lord and examination of candidates as an orderly service accompanied at times by hymns of praise, available even to children, older ones, and the helpless who must be carried into the water. After baptism the Holy Spirit controls and purifies believers to live as a representation of Christ's life, working to sanctify words, spirit and character and to keep conduct showing heavenly grace and free from dishonest practices, with the power of Father, Son and Holy Spirit able to keep the baptized from falling.