Paul says, I Cor. xv:29 “Else what shall they do, which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all?  Why are they then baptized for the dead?” Baptism being only a figure of our death and resurrection, is perhaps, in a gospel sense, of but little consequence to christians in the present day.

Christ went to John and was baptized of him in Jordan.  His being put under water signified his death, when the condemning power of the law under the first dispensation should lose its force—­and his being raised out of the water signified his resurrection from the cold Jordan of death to immortal life in the kingdom of God, where the victory shall be sung over death and sin; and over the law which “is the strength of sin.”  Having passed in figure through his own death and resurrection, and having manifested to man that he was baptized by the Holy Spirit into the faith and “powers of the world to come,” he perfectly lived up to his obligation, by never committing one sin.  He went through life free from transgression as though he were already in eternity.  When his crucifixion hour approached, he said, [Luke xii:50] “I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I straitened” [Greek—­pained] “till it be accomplished.”  Here he had reference to his being buried in death, (which was to be attended with extreme sufferings) and rising again from it, which would be the reality of which his baptism in Jordan was but a figure.

To be put under water signifies our death, and to be raised out again signifies our resurrection.  A person, who is baptized, ought therefore, to endeavor, as much as in him lies, to live as though he were already in his resurrection state.  Enjoying in faith the baptism of the “Holy Spirit and of fire,” he ought to consider himself as dead to the world and alive to God walking in newness of life.

Let us introduce Rom. vi:3, 4.  “Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death?  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”  Here we perceive they were baptized into his death, and were rejoicing in hope of the resurrection, having their hearts purified faith in the reality, Acts xxii. 16 And now why tarriest thou?  Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, &c.  Now, it is not only a scripture doctrine, but all denominations acknowledge, that baptism in water is an emblem of the washing away of our sins.  We then ask—­are our sins to be wished in a stream of water?  No.  Where then?  The objector says, our sins are taken away in this life by the baptism of the “Holy Spirit and with fire.”  This cannot be; because Paul told the believers that if there were no resurrection, their faith was vain, and they were yet in their sins. [See I. Cor. xv. 17.] This proves that believers receive the forgiveness of their sins in this life by faith only, not in reality.