Week 4: Burial

Baptism

The earliest Christian baptisteries archeologists have discovered were in the Roman catacombs. This is primarily because when the early church faced Roman persecution, they gathered together in the catacombs in secret. A catacomb is an underground type of bunker used for burial. In these catacombs, Christians would pray, sing, break bread, and be baptized. Though the practical security needs were the primary reason this took place in the catacombs, there is also something theologically and scripturally powerful about this location. Imagine, for example, hearing these words from Paul being read by candlelight as it dances shadows down the long subterranean passageways lined with coffins,
“All of us who were baptized in Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death….”

Buried with him.

Buried with him through baptism.

Buried with him through baptism into death.

Last week we focused on the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Of course, this is a core, pivotal element of the Gospel. Yet, often overlooked is the importance of the burial of Jesus as part of the Gospel story. Jesus entered a tomb and invites us to join him in that tomb through baptism.

Our Gospel formed practice this week is baptism. If you have been reading through this study but haven’t given your life to Jesus in baptism, this is your nudge to take the plunge.

If you have been baptized, we will try two practices for remembering and living out our baptism this week. Do either or both.

Share your baptism story with someone else this week. This could be someone in your family, a friend, your pastor, or someone you have been studying the Bible with.

Remember your burial through baptism every time you wash with water. Whether in the shower or just washing your hands. Whether you are scrubbing the spring dirt from under your fingernails or basking in a hot bath on a cold, dreary day, every time you wash with water throughout the week, remember that you have been buried with Christ.