Today we’re spending time in Romans chapter 6, and we’re addressing a question that many people—both inside and outside the church—have asked sincerely:
What is the point of baptism?
At Windsor Christian Church, this question came directly from our congregation as part of our recent “pulling the pew” series, where we invited real, honest questions about faith. And this one matters. It’s not a shallow or theoretical question. It’s the kind of question people ask when they’re thinking seriously about Jesus, grace, and obedience.
Among windsor colorado churches, baptism is often talked about—but not always clearly understood. Is it tradition? A symbol? Optional? Essential? Something to get around to eventually? Is there something mystical about the water itself? What about people who believe but die before being baptized?
These are good questions, and they deserve thoughtful, biblical answers.
Why Baptism Can Be So Confusing
For some, baptism is a treasured memory—filled with joy, prayers, and celebration. For others, it may feel distant or unclear, something that happened long ago without much understanding. Some have delayed baptism out of fear, uncertainty, or the assumption that it isn’t urgent. Others see it as deeply meaningful but struggle to articulate why.
Often, baptism gets reduced to the wrong things:
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A religious hoop to jump through
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A box to check
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A spiritual photo opportunity
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A purely symbolic act
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Or something to avoid until we feel “ready enough”
But Romans 6 pushes us far beyond those categories.
A Clear Commitment: Teaching the Text
My approach today is simple: teach a single passage carefully. Romans 6 is not an exhaustive teaching on baptism, but it beautifully captures its meaning and power. Not every hypothetical will be addressed, but the heart of the gospel response will be made clear.
Here’s the guiding idea from Romans 6:
The point of baptism is union with Christ, death to sin, resurrection to new life, and freedom to walk in holiness.
Baptism is God’s declaration that your old life is over and a new life in Christ has begun.
The Question That Sets the Stage (Romans 6:1)
Paul begins Romans 6 with a startling question:
“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?”
In other words: If grace is that big, do we now have a license to sin?
To understand why this question even makes sense, we have to remember the context. Paul has just spent five chapters dismantling every human attempt at self-salvation. He shows that the world is guilty, the religious are guilty, and no one is righteous—not even one.
Then comes the shock of grace.
Paul proclaims justification by grace through faith—apart from works. He declares that where sin increased, grace increased all the more. God’s grace is vast, deep, and inexhaustible.
And when grace is preached that boldly, people naturally wonder if it can be abused.
Paul’s Answer: Absolutely Not
Paul’s response in Romans 6:2 is one of the strongest refusals in Scripture:
“May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?”
Why can’t we continue in sin?
Because something has already happened to us.
We died to sin.
Paul doesn’t say sin disappeared. He doesn’t say temptation vanished. He says we died. The old self—the one ruled by sin—has been crucified.
And that’s good news.
At Windsor Christian Church, we never want people to feel like they have to fake it. If you are in Christ, the old you is already dead. Bring the real you—the one Jesus loves, died for, and is making new.
What Happened, and When Did It Happen?
Paul explains exactly where this death to sin takes place:
“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?” (Romans 6:3)
Baptism is not just about believing something—it’s about something that happens.
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We are buried with Christ through baptism
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We are united with Him in death
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We are freed from sin
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We are raised to walk in newness of life
This isn’t magic water. It’s the power and grace of God working in a God-ordained moment. Baptism ushers us into living union with Christ—His death and His resurrection.
Dead to Sin Means Free to Live
Romans 6 repeats this truth relentlessly:
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We died to sin
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Our old self was crucified
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We are no longer slaves
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Sin is no longer our master
Paul could not be clearer. The reign of sin is over. A change of masters has taken place.
As one scholar summarized Romans 6:
“Because baptism, sin no more.”
Among windsor colorado churches, that’s a message worth hearing clearly: freedom from sin is not wishful thinking—it’s a gospel reality.
Not Just Burial—Resurrection
Baptism looks like a burial, but it doesn’t end there.
“So we too might walk in newness of life.”
What happened to Jesus—death and resurrection—is mirrored in us. One life ends. Another begins.
Baptism marks a transfer:
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From death to life
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From slavery to freedom
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From one kingdom to another
It’s not the finish line. It’s the starting line.
Paul’s Own Story Confirms It
When Paul writes about baptism, he’s not dealing in abstract theology. He’s telling his own story.
Once Saul the persecutor, he encountered the risen Jesus. But his conversion didn’t end on the road to Damascus. Ananias later said to him:
“Why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.”
Paul associates baptism with calling on Jesus and the washing away of sins. It was the funeral of Saul and the birth of Paul.
That’s not an afterthought. That’s decisive.
Why Do We Delay?
Scripture never asks, “Why should I be baptized?”
It asks, “Why are you still standing on the shore?”
Delayed obedience is not obedience in progress—it’s disobedience dressed up in church clothes.
If baptism is tied to such rich gospel promises, why treat it as optional?
At Windsor Christian Church, we lovingly ask the same question Scripture asks:
Why do you delay?
Living Out What Is Already True
Paul closes by pointing us back to Jesus:
“Consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
This isn’t about trying harder. It’s about living from a new identity. Sin no longer defines you. It no longer owns you.
Baptism marks the moment when God declares:
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Your old life is over
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A new life has begun
So walk in it.
Final Encouragement
The point of baptism is union with Christ.
Death to sin.
Resurrection to new life.
Freedom to walk in holiness.
If you believe in Jesus but have never been baptized by immersion, then as lovingly as possible:
What are you waiting for?
The invitation is open—today, tomorrow, always.
And if God is calling you, don’t delay.