So if Gal. 3:27 points to Romans 6:3ff where does Romans 6 point to? Is there any biblical example of such happening?

What does put on mean? Is it like into Christ? What does into mean? Is it like join together as one? How does that come about and what does it mean. Does baptism play an important role in bringing this all about and why?

Paul says "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" Romans 6:3 (KJV)  what is he really saying here? Just how did Paul come to understand this? Where did he get this thought from? Is there any other passages to compare this to? Does Paul talk about this any where else? Does it relate to any of the other Apostle teaching or is this just from Paul?

Lots of questions still seeking answers.

Bill,

Maybe an illustration can help.

Imagine wearing a filthy coat, stained, worn out, holes all throughout, etc.  That coat is who we are before baptism.  It is a representation of who we were on the inside because of sin.  We were filthy, weak, helpless, etc.

When we are immersed by faith in God, we change coats.  Instead of being clothed with our sins, we put off that filthy coat and put on Christ's righteousness.  It is not our coat, not our righteousness; it is Christ Himself who is our coat.  He covers us with His blood that cleanses and with His righteousness by which we stand justified in God's sight.

That is the illustration.  Let me see if I can back up at least some of that with Scripture. 

In Romans 6:6 and Galatians 2:20 we are crucified together with Christ when we are immersed.  In 2 Timothy 2:11 we died together with Christ (past action) which I believe refers to our crucifixion together with Christ; it is at baptism that a person dies to sin, not before baptism (see Romans 6:6-7).  The old man of sin is done away at baptism, not before.  In Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:12 we are buried together with Christ.  The crucifixion and burial take place at the same time for us.  In Romans 6:5 we are united together with Christ.  In Ephesians 2:5 we are made alive together with Christ.  In Ephesians 2:6 we are raised up together with Christ and then we are seated together with Him in the heavenlies.

This series of events, from crucifixion to being seated with Him, takes place when we are baptized into Christ.  Paul is describing the crucifixion of the old man from man's point of view (immersion).  Peter tells about this from Christ's point of view on the cross in 1 Peter 2:24.  He bore our sins in His body on the tree/cross.  The point of the action in both contexts is so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. 

In 2 Corinthians 5:21 we read that Jesus switched with us; He became what we were (sin) so that we could become what He is (righteous).  I believe this took place at baptism.  His righteousness was and is credited to us because we joined with Him on the cross and in His resurrection and in His ascension to the throne.  We have been joined together with Him from our moment with Him on the cross and ever since.  We are in Him.

In Revelation 7:9-14 we have a description of, I believe, Christians (those in the white robes).  The robes had been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb.  That takes place at baptism.  Instead of my illustration of changing a coat (which I believe works fine for 2 Corinthians 5:21), we find them having their filthy robes washed clean and made like new (they had to have been formerly filthy, otherwise there would have been no need to wash them- His blood cleanses away sin).  Their being cleansed like this is kind of like changing the robes.

In Revelation 19:8 we find another picture of the saints (Christians) clothed by God, this time with fine linen which is our righteous acts.  I believe our acts in and of themselves credit us nothing; only what Christ does is to our credit.  I see this clothing as His righteousness covering us and being credited to us.  Maybe I am wrong but that is the way I see it.

Maybe some of this will help.  I hope so. 

putting on Jesus is not a overnite wonder.

Putting on Jesus is a PROCESS that requires knowledge and growth.

as a new borne babe requires milk so does a babe in Jesus word

Peter said

  1Pt 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

as newborne Babes in God's word we need to grow in grace and the knowledge of Jesus

2Pt 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

it is a process and it is more than just baptism.

before baptism you need to know why you are being baptize, who you are being baptize for,

it ia a Process

Acts 2:38,39 When we repent of our sins and ask Jesus into our hearts we are also receiving the promise of God that his Spirit will come and dwell in our hearts and teach us of all things we need to learn, John 14:26. The baptism that Peter was talking about in Acts 2:38 was a Spiritual rebirth through the word of God. Some people think it is being dunked or sprinkled with water the way John the Baptist did and there is nothing wrong with that for it is an outward appearance to man that you have received Jesus and the Holy Spirit into your life, Matthew 3:11, but Jesus himself never baptized with water for the baptism of Jesus was for receiving the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit) that helps us to know the will of the Father, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12.

Debbie_55 can you please show me how you come to this understanding "The baptism that Peter was talking about in Acts 2:38 was a Spiritual rebirth through the word of God." .

I am having a little trouble explaining this and would like to see how you came to this understanding. I was of the ones you mentioned here "Some people think it is being dunked or sprinkled with water the way John the Baptist did" it was the way I was raised and makes it hard to see it the way you teach. I would love to see how to get there from the word.

One more thing I would like to see what you mean by "Jesus himself never baptized with water" in light to the passage here 1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, 2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) John 4:1-2 (KJV)

It seems to me that even thought Jesus never did the actual baptizing he did teach it and thus was accredited to baptizing some. Is this the one of John or is this a spiritual one?

Thanks for the thoughts Idiglove, but it does leave me with a question.

You said "St. Paul figured this one out early on and even had the audacity to say that he was NOT called to baptize, but to preach the gospel. " and followed up with   "No, I think he's quite right, and he is able to see that preaching the gospel is HOW we baptize (which means "to cover") and when the baptized accept Jesus' gospel, they are "putting on Christ" by following his teachings."

Here is the confusion it caused me. If Paul was not sent to baptize but to preach the gospel and you say that baptism is the preaching of the gospel then just what was Paul sent to do?
I think I am really missing what is meant by baptism being done through the word and not water so could someone please help me to see what is being said here.

Candy I have heard way to many thoughts on this to give a answer but I am hoping that you can lead to to the way this is to be seen. Just how did you come to this understanding? Show me the thought process that brought you to this understanding with the scriptures that teach it this way.

Compare Acts 2:38 with Acts 10:47-48. 

What is the medium one is immersed in when being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ?