Romans 6:1-14

 

Review from last class:

The Transfer

Chapter 6 & 7 reveal that the justified believer has been transfer permanently into a new kingdom.

This is a continuation of assuring the believer of their salvation.

 

Chapter 5 shows the transfer of the believer from the power of death to the power of life.

Chapter 6:1-14 shows the transfer of the believer from the power of sin to the

power of righteousness.

Chapter 6:15-23 shows the transfer of the believer from the power of the law to the power of grace.

 

These chapters describe two realms or two ages (“aeon”)

1)       The realm or age of Adam

2)       The realm or age of Christ

 

All people fall into living their lives and their eternal existence in one of these two realms.

 

Your relationship to sin and to the law will depend on which realm you live in.

a)  If a person is still living in the old age of Adam they are under the reign of sin and death.

They are under the power of the law.

 

b) If a person is living in the new age of Christ they are living in the realm of righteousness and life.

They are under the power of grace.

Compare:

Old Age

New Age

Reign of sin and death

Reign of righteousness and life (5:21)

Servitude to lordship of sin

Servitude to lordship of righteousness and God (6:6, 14; 17-22)

Under the power of law

Under the power of grace (6:14, 15

Serving in old letter of law

Serving in newness of Spirit (7:6)

The law and the compelling power of sin that leads to death

The law of the Spirit that brings life (8:2)

 

Now, but not Yet

Even though we are in the new age, we in the church age are still in between.

We are in the age of “Now, but not yet”

We are living in between the two comings of the Christ.

Paul does not believe we are separate from all the influences of the Old Age

We belong to the New Age of the Power of Righteousness but we still have contact with the Old Age.

We still have the impulses, habits, knowledge, and desires from the Old Realm that  threatens the practice of our new life.

 

Indicative/Imperative

This is why we see the “indicative/imperative” combinations in these chapters.

This is seen in the verses that state a truth of the new age (indicative mood) but are combined with a command for the here and now (imperative mood).

 

6:14 – “Sin shall not be your master”

6:13 – “Do not let sin reign in your mortal body”

 

8:9 – “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit”

8:12 – “We have an obligation – but it is to the sinful nature.”

 

Romans 6:1

The dialog or debate style continues into chapter six as Paul’s imaginary debater or possibly imaginary student asks a question in regard to Paul’s previous teaching.

 

The focus of the first half of this chapter is not how to overcome sin but instead on

why you should.

 

uperepissuesen
In 5:20 Paul said “where sin increased, grace increased all the more”

·        The phrase “increased all the more” in the NIV is a translation of the word “hyper-perisseuo (‘uperepisseusen) it is used only here and in 2 Corinthians 7:4. 

·        “perisseuo” means “be left over; more than enough”

·        But, the prefix “hyper-“ is added which magnifies the word.  “hyper-“ means over and above.

·        So 5:20 has just said, “where sin increases, grace is over and above (“hyper-“) more than enough with some left over (“-perisseuo”)

·        Translated as “super-abounded”

 

This verse (5:20) and the use of “hyper-perisseuo” demands a break and an explanation            of this shocking statement.

Consider the implications of the application of this principle.

If justification where a mathematical formula then it would be as simple as          figuring your interest earnings on an investment.

But, a justification begins with God wanting a relationship with people through Jesus on the cross and ends with you entering into an eternal relationship with your creator. 

 

The State of Sin

Romans 6:1      ti WHAT         oun THEN           eroumen  SHALL WE SAY? epimenoumen SHALL WE CONTINUE         th IN        amartia SIN           ina h THAT             cariV  GRACE                pleonash MAY ABOUND?

 

Notice the NIV translates “shall we go on sinning”.
A more direct translation is “shall we continue in sin.”

th   amartia   is singular and is speaking of the state of sin or the sin nature. 
It is not speaking directly about sins.

 

Powerlessness of Legalism; Mission Accomplished in Grace

Paul’s point is not that we sin freely knowing that the Father will forgive us.

Paul’s point is that in the Old Age the law did not help to deliver man from the power of sin but in the New Age grace has been manifested. 
This grace is the power and the way to achieve what the law desires to do.

The law did not desire to allow men to sin freely, but instead to avoid sin.

So, grace when taught and applied will not allow men to sin but will instead give them     the power to avoid living in the state of sin that legalism so desperately tries to           avoid.

Romans 6:2

The main point of chapter six is found in Paul’s answer to the question in 6:1
Main Point of Chapter Six ---
We who have died to sin

 

Death to Sin

Paul uses “died to sin” to communicate:

a)      The finality of new position

b)      The break in relationship (namely power or authority) between sin and man

 

The Three “Died To”

1)      Romans 6:2 “We died to sin

2)      Galatians 2:19 “I have died to the law

3)      Galatians 6:14 “The world is crucified to me, and I to the world.”

 

This Relationship is Over!  Stop calling me!!

It is a dead relationship. 

Do not live as if this relationship

a)      still exists or

b)      has a future. 

 

The Condition of Living in Sin

What does Paul mean when he says “how can we live in it (sin) any longer?”

a)      Theological – It is impossible for Christians who have been justified to live in the sphere where sin has the power.  Positional truth says you can not exist in the sphere of sin and death any longer.  This describes our new position and new potential.  (indicative)

b)      Moral – Though the theological statement concerning living in the state of sin is true, there is still the threat of sin being part of the Christians life.  Verse 6:2 is telling the Christian you can not allow yourself to live in the state of sin when God has something better.  So, because of the power of the new position and potential in Christ the believer should learn to live in a dead relationship to sin. (imiperative)

 

Romans 6:3

 

Romans 6:3      h OR         agnoeite ARE YE IGNORANT            oti THAT              osoi AS MANY AS                ebaptisqhmen  WE WERE BAPTIZED                    eiV UNTO             criston CHRIST           ihsoun JESUS       eiV  ton UNTO qanaton HIS         autou DEATH         ebaptisqhmen WE WERE BAPTIZED?

 

“Are You Ignorant”
The Romans practiced the ritual of baptism at the point of conversion.

This is similar to the Ethiopian and Philip in Acts.

Baptism was the physical demonstration of a person entering into Christ.

 

 

 

Baptism Notes

 

 

Baptism

Christian baptism represents crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection.

 

The Greek word baptidzo is a word that means that a thorough change of condition is brought about by the power of a baptizing agency.

 

A difference must be made in the state of Baptism and the agency of the baptism.

Baptism is a state of being that remains unchanged once it is accomplished.
Baptism is accomplished by an agent.  Some of the agents of baptism in scripture are the Holy Spirit, a cup, the cloud, the sea, water, etc.

 

Determine the difference between a state and the agent used.
You can go to Missouri in a car, a train, a plane, or a barrel. But, getting in a car does not put you in Missouri.

 

Baptisms

There was a baptism

Into repentance

Into the remission of sins

Into Moses

Into the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

Into the Holy Spirit

In the law of Moses there was baptism

 

 

Types of Baptisms in the Bible

Christ experienced three baptisms:

The Baptism at the Jordan

The Baptism by the Holy Spirit in John 1:32-33

The Cup Baptism in Matthew 20:22 and Mark 10:38-39 and Luke 12:50

 

Christ was baptized with three baptisms:

He was baptized by water to serve as a priest for God according to OT Law of Moses.

He was baptized by the Holy Spirit into the office of the Messiah

He was baptized by a cup into death.  The cup contained the penalty of sin and his death worked redemption, reconciliation and propitiation

 

Concerning baptized by water for priesthood:  The four early dates in the life of Christ where all about keeping the law and fulfilling all righteousness:

circumcised on the eighth day

Presented at the temple on the 40th day

Confirmed in the temple at 12 years old

Consecrated at thirty years old for the priesthood

So, in all these things Christ fulfilled all righteousness by being circumcised, presented, confirmed and consecrated.

 

 

Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change.

Baptism is not required for salvation.

Church attendance is not required for salvation.

 

Obedience to God’s plan requires that we be involved in a church.

Obedience to God’s plan also tells us to be baptized.

 

Sign of Baptism

God commanded us to be baptized so we would have a sign or a picture of what has happened to us spiritually.  Baptism is a sign of:

Our participation in Jesus’ death

Our participation in Jesu’ resurrection

Our inward cleansing from sin and guilt

Our outward washing of regeneration

Our being baptized into the body of Christ

Our being baptized by Jesus with the Holy Spirit

Our being separated from the world and set apart (made holy) for God’s plan

 

Baptism Verses

Romans 6:3, 

            “Or don’t you know tat all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  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.”

 

Galatians 3:27,

            “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

 

1 Corinthians 12:13,                

             “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body.”

 

Acts 22:16,

             “Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.”

 

Colossians 2:12,          

            “Having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.”

1 Peter 3:21,

            “This water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God.”

 

Types of baptisms:

The baptism of John (Acts 10:37; 18:25; Matt. 21:25)

Jesus own baptism into the office of the Christ

Jesus’ baptism on the cross (Luke 12:50; Mark 10:38,39)

Baptized into Moses (1 Co. 10:2)