Arizona republican., 1919-12-22

If we were to read in the Star that the minister who was baptizing in Jackson county, near to Kansas City, because there was much water there; went 10 the water, and down into it, and that the baptism was like unto a burial what would we think he had done The matter would be clear to us indeed that when a man goes to place where there is much water and goes down into it. and is buried in it. that he has been immersed.
 (6) In Acts S:39 we find that after the eunuch was baptized, they came up out of the water" and in Rom. 6: , Paul tells us that we are not only buried with Christ. but that, as he arose. so also we arise, into newness of life. Baptism is therefore not only a burial, but it is also a resurrection.
 CD Jesus tells us as He speaks to Nicodemus that baptism is a birth out Of the water and the Spirit. A form of birth is coming out of" Paul gives us a hint as to the so-called form when he tells us that we should draw near with a true heart in full assur- ance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water (Heb. 10: 22).
 The Symbolism of Bible Baptism.
 After hearing a message on baptism, a friend of mine, said: Well, all that is fine; but really, baptism is only a symbol, therefore the form of it makes no difference I answered her: Madam. agree with you that baptism is a symbol. and I would like to ask you just what your baptism symbol : ized?" She thought for a moment and said: Why. my baptism symbolized a cleansing" Do you mean to tell me, madam, that two or three drops of water sprinkled on your head symbol tzed a cleansing?" No, baptism does not symbolize a cleansing, it is a cleansing or washing (Acts 22:16) Baptism is symbol, and a symbol of the grandest facts in all the religion of Christ. Paul tells what those facts are when he affirms that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures: and that He was buried; and that He hath been raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures I. Cor 15:1-D. He also calls these facts the gospel which preached unto you" Now, in that wonderful sixth chapter of the Roman Letter he tells us that baptism symbolizes this death of our Lord, His burial and His resur- rection (Rom 6:1-6). As Christ died on the cross for the sins of the world, so we in repentance die to our sins. As Christ was buried in the tomb, so also we are buried, in symbol, in the waters of baptism. As Jesus was vic torious over death and on the third day arose from the tomb, so we also arise frrno the baptismal waters into a newness of life. We are now "in Christ" for "as many of you as were baptized into Christ did I>1t on Christ and If any man is in Christ he is a new creature" Therefore the baptism of a penitent believer is a symbol of Christs death, burial and resurrection, and of the believers own death to sin. h ie- al yx-it rection into a newness of life in Christ This is the very heart of the subject of baptism. Unless your baptism symbolized these great and fundamen- tai facts of the gospel of Christ, it was not the baptism that Jesus commanded.
 Conclusion.
 Paul tells us in the text that there is one baptism" In his time there was but one. It was not until long after his time, and therefore that of the