It has been argued that because baptism is a figure or represents something, it cannot be essential to our salvation. That which takes place in baptism represents the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. As Jesus died, was buried, and resurrected, so we are to die, be buried, and resurrected. Many are teaching that the sixth chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans shows that baptism is non-essential. It is unfathomable for these reasons.
First, the newness of life is what follows this combination. Now, to demonstrate the essential nature of this figure, life follows death, burial, and resurrection. Do you think life is essential? If so, how did they reach the point of life? Answer: by dying to sin, burying the old man, and resurrecting the new man (the last two of which takes place in baptism).
Second, this figure was something that the Roman saints had obeyed (v. 17). He wrote, “Ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” If language means anything at all, what they were prior to obeying that form were servants of sin. A change took place when they obeyed the form. Before obeying it, they were servants of sin. After they obeyed it, they were made free from sin and became servants of righteousness (v. 18). The change from life to death or from sin to righteousness takes place in the context of Romans 6 when an individual obeys the form (the death, burial, and resurrection) of Christ. To those people who say you cannot obey a figure or a representation, allow me to show you Romans 6.
As is often the case, we have a tendency to interpret texts of Scripture, based upon our own predisposition to errors that arouse us. For example, we imagine one who thinks salvation is based upon their own works by submitting to this human act of baptism. But, salvation is not in the physical water tank, nor is it left in the hands of man to procure. Instead, baptism is in the power of God who promises “newness of life” to those who obey from the heart that form. We could not obey what does not exist. If Jesus had not died, our death to sin would not be possible. Furthermore, neither the burial of that dead man nor his resurrection would not be possible. Baptism is a work of faith (Gal. 3:26-27). Hearing the term “faith” causes some to ignore “work.” But, it is both. Paul explains that what is really significant is a “faith that works by love” (Gal. 5:6). Peter tells us that it is the answer (response) of a good conscience. As one responds to a question with an answer, so baptism is a natural response to the Savior’s work at cavalry. So, the figurative nature of baptism does not lessen its importance or significance. If anything, it heightens its importance. When Jesus gave the supper as a memorial of his sacrificial death, He said, “This is my body” and “This is my blood.” The fact that he had not yet died suggests that He was not teaching that the bread and wine were the literal body and blood. It was representative. Yet, what did he tell His disciples to do with these two representative elements? They were told to eat and drink of them. They obeyed a figure, too. Keep in mind, that Paul writes, “Being then made free from sin, …” i.e. after they had obeyed this figure of the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord.