Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. (Col 2:20–3:7)
In the previous episode of the Berean Post podcast, we discussed how Paul refers to the believer’s experience of being transported into the kingdom of God's beloved son of love. Paul emphasizes being raised into a new dimension, namely the kingdom of God. While some Christians may argue that being water baptized is unnecessary for a believer, I strongly disagree. Instead, the Bible provides specific instructions for believers to have faith and undergo baptism. It's worth noting that the context of this baptism is related to water. This is significant because water baptism symbolizes a more profound truth, precisely what Paul elucidates in this passage.
It's remarkable how nearly everything we encounter in the Bible about a believer's new life is directly related to the symbolic act of baptism. In particular, Paul uses the phrase "you have died," which we previously discussed as symbolized by entering the waters of baptism. However, the most significant aspect of water baptism is revealed when we come up out of the water. This act represents the spiritual reality that we have been made new in Christ; we are entirely new people. When we symbolically went down into the waters of regeneration, the person who went down stayed down – we died. The person who emerged from the water is now a new creation, a new thing hidden in Christ and united with Him. It's essential to note that this isn't merely my opinion; it's a vital understanding of one of the primary biblical truths of the new covenant. This can be seen in other passages in the New
Testament, such as:
Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." This verse expresses the idea that the old self has been crucified with Christ and the new self is lived through faith in Him.
Romans 6:4: "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." This verse speaks to the idea that baptism means we have died to our old selves and are raised to a new life in Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" This verse emphasizes that becoming a Christian means we are a new creation, and the old self has passed away.
Together, these verses illustrate the concept of the believer's death and resurrection with Christ and the subsequent transformation that occurs through faith in Him.
A prayer of Jesus for his disciples is found in John 17, where Jesus prays that his disciples would be one just as he and the Father are one and that they would be protected from the evil one. This prayer also extends to all those who would believe in Jesus through the disciples' message, emphasizing the importance of unity and relationship among all believers. Being "hidden in Christ" is also related to this idea of unity and relationship, as it speaks to the believer's identification with Christ and their profound spiritual union with him. This union brings about transformation and a sense of security in the love of God, which is a central theme in the New Testament. Together, the prayer of Jesus and the concept of being "hidden in Christ" emphasize the importance of a close and intimate relationship with Jesus and the transformative power that comes with it.
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