The Christian life is the baptized life, united with Christ. Truly, the power of Christian baptism is our link with Jesus Christ, our identification with his Story, our sharing with his life, death, burial, and resurrection, and one day soon, his glory. To be a Christian means, for the rest of our lives, a union and oneness with Christ, a participation in his life. Now, his life is our life, and his purpose, our purpose.

Peter tells us our baptism corresponds to God’s work in the days of Noah (1 Pet. 3.18-22). The Lord graciously saved a remnant of humankind through the waters of the flood by putting them in an ark. Early Christians latched onto this image, recognizing that the Church serves as our ark. Like Noah, God’s grace brings us through the waters and saves us from destruction.

Merciful Father, we give thanks that you have brought us into the ark of safety. We pray that every possible person would seek shelter from the wrath to come in the ark of your Church.

Baptism is more than a backwards-looking event rooted in the ancient past; it publicly changes our identity in the present and commissions us for future mission and ministry as members of Christ’s royal priesthood.

~ Uche Anizor and Hank Voss, Representing Christ. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2016. p. 124.

Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
Live a Baptized Life, Romans 6.1-5

Book Reading
Breslin, Embracing Our Priestly Nature at Work