Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

Question:

“What is the meaning of ‘But ye have obeyed from the heart the form of teaching into which you were instructed’ (Romans 6:17, Νew Translation)?” etc.

Answer:

The disciples in Rome had given proof in their practical ways of the Apostle’s doctrine in this chapter, by walking in the truth of the old man having been crucified with Christ. They were counting themselves as dead with Him, and alive unto God through Christ. Thus sin was not having dominion over them, and as set free from its slavery they had become slaves to righteousness (he speaks after the manner of men). The heart was thus free to yield itself unto God in practical obedience, the conscience being at rest before Him.

The thought of baptism of water is not in the passage. Their practice corresponded with the true spiritual meaning of their baptism, referred to in v. 3, which was “unto death.” Baptism is never put as obedience in Scripture. It is always the act of the baptizer, never that of the baptized. It is never the sign of what a man is already, or of an inward state; but of that to which he is baptized. They were baptized “to death” in this chapter; not because they were dead already.