The Baptized Have Put On Christ
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
7/29/2012 AM
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Text:
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Galatians 3:27
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Psalters: |
15, 140, 80, 101 |
Sacrament of Baptism |
- The issue.
- Paul is emphasizing the blessedness of the Gentile believers in Galatia.
- The elect believers heard the preaching of Paul and believed the gospel of justification by faith in Christ.
- Some of the Christians who were Jews (Judaizers) said that faith in Jesus was not sufficient.
- But Gentile believers (having faith) are to be identified as the true children of Abraham (7-9).
- The reason is that faith puts one in living fellowship with Christ.
- Gentile believers too are no longer immature children, but are mature children of God in Christ.
- Let no one deceive the Galatians into thinking that in order to become Christians they must first become Jews.
- Those baptized into union with Christ have put on Christ.
- First, note this is the first and only mention of baptism in this book (and not much detail is given).
- Baptism was (and is) used as a sacrament in obedience to Christ’s command in Matt. 28:19.
- When the preaching bore spiritual fruit of confessing and repenting believers, then they were baptized (Acts 16:15,33).
- Baptism is sufficient because it is baptism into union with Christ.
- First, realize that Paul is speaking of the spiritual significance of the sacrament, not of the outward practice only.
- “In Christ” relationship is all that matters.
- This is true for “as many of you as.” (the “all of vs. 26).
- This is true for all, whether Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female (28; Col. 3:11).
- All racial, social and sexual distinctions are to be forever abandoned, since in Christ all are equal.
- Thus baptism had taken the place of circumcision as the sign of the covenant (no more need for bloody sign).
- The implied calling: put on Christ.
- The figure of speech is that of putting on clothes.
- One who has been given the white robe of Christ’s righteousness is a child of God in God’s house.