READING • ROMANS 6
Baptism begins a new way of life
Baptism is not the finishing point of discipleship. It marks a new beginning. The believer has identified with the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus and is now called to live differently — to “walk in newness of life”.
A new beginning
Romans 6 explains the meaning of baptism by comparing it with burial and resurrection. The former way of life is to be left behind, and the baptized believer begins a life directed towards God.
“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.”
Romans 6:4 • King James Version
Baptism does not make a believer instantly perfect. Human weakness remains, but the direction has changed: sin is no longer to be accepted as master, and the disciple is learning to serve God.
Grace for the journey
Christian growth is possible only because of God’s grace. When we fail, we do not hide from God or give up. We confess our sins, seek forgiveness through the Lord Jesus Christ, and continue the struggle to live faithfully.
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16 • King James Version
Feeding on God’s Word
A new life needs nourishment. Peter compares believers with newborn babies who need food in order to grow. The food for spiritual growth is the Word of God.
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”
1 Peter 2:2 • King James Version
The Bible teaches, corrects and trains us so that our lives may increasingly reflect what God desires.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
2 Timothy 3:16 • King James Version
Regular Bible reading helps a disciple recognise what needs to change and what kind of character God desires.
Looking forward to the Kingdom
The goal of the new life is not simply to become a nicer person. God is preparing a people for His coming Kingdom. Jesus encouraged his disciples with these words:
“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
Luke 12:32 • King James Version
Help from the Lord Jesus
The Lord Jesus is central to life after baptism: Saviour, High Priest and the example believers are called to follow.
In John 17 Jesus prayed for those whom the Father had given him and looked forward to their sharing his glory.
“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me:”
John 17:24 • King James Version
Believers are also encouraged to bring their anxieties to God: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
Belonging to a worldwide family
Baptism joins a believer to Christ and also creates a new relationship with other believers. Differences of nationality, social position and sex do not make one disciple more valuable than another before God.
“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 3:27–28 • King James Version
Christadelphians speak of “brethren and sisters in Christ” because discipleship is a shared life of encouragement, patience, forgiveness and mutual help.
The command to love one another
“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”
John 15:12 • King James Version
The love of Jesus was active, sacrificial and patient. His self-giving teaches believers how seriously they should care for one another.
John therefore says that because Christ laid down his life for us, “we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16).
This is demanding. Believers still have different personalities, weaknesses and habits. Christian love is shown most clearly when patience and forgiveness are needed.
1 CORINTHIANS 13
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IN PRACTICE
“Charity suffereth long, and is kind”
Be patient with weakness and actively seek another person’s good.
“Seeketh not her own”
Do not insist that everything must be done our way.
“Is not easily provoked”
Learn to control irritation and anger.
“Endureth all things”
Remain faithful and supportive when relationships are difficult.
Loving our neighbour
Our duty of love does not stop at the ecclesial door. Jesus joined love for God with love for our neighbour.
“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
Matthew 22:39 • King James Version
The good Samaritan in Luke 10 shows that a neighbour is someone whose need comes within our reach. We should ask what loving service we are able to give.
Prayer and worship
A new life in Christ must be a life of prayer. Believers come before the Creator with confidence in His mercy but also with deep reverence. God is near to the humble, not to the self-important.
“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; ... I dwell ... with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
Isaiah 57:15 • King James Version
James expresses the same principle plainly: God “resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6). Jesus himself described his character as “meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29).
Reference correction
The original lesson cited Hebrews 11:28 for serving God “with reverence and godly fear”. The correct reference is Hebrews 12:28.
“Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:”
Hebrews 12:28 • King James Version
Humility is strength under God’s direction
Jesus teaches a different pattern from self-promotion. Humility does not mean weakness; it means putting self-importance aside and choosing to serve.
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
Philippians 2:3 • King James Version
Paul summarises the practical result in a few words: “by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).
Jesus gave the pattern of service
At the final meal with his disciples, Jesus deliberately performed a servant’s task. He washed their feet and then explained that he had given them an example.
“For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
John 13:15 • King James Version
No work of love is beneath a disciple of Jesus. Leadership and spiritual maturity should make us more willing to serve, not more demanding of privilege.
Service still needs wisdom
Humility, forgiveness and patience do not mean tolerating abuse, excusing serious wrongdoing or compromising God’s teaching. Christian love seeks another person’s real good while remaining faithful to God.
Remembering the Lord Jesus
Jesus knew that his disciples would need a regular reminder of his sacrifice. At the meal before his death he took bread and a cup and told them to remember him. Paul later repeated these instructions to the ecclesia at Corinth.
“This do in remembrance of me.”
1 Corinthians 11:24 • King James Version
The bread and cup call disciples to remembrance, thanksgiving and self-examination.
Acts 20:7 records disciples breaking bread on the first day of the week. It is a clear first-century example, although the verse does not itself prescribe the precise day or frequency. Christadelphian ecclesias traditionally meet weekly, commonly on Sunday, to remember the Lord.
“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them...”
Acts 20:7 • King James Version
A life shaped by remembrance
Remembering Jesus should affect the rest of the week by renewing gratitude, exposing wrong attitudes and strengthening the determination to follow Christ.
“This do in remembrance of me”
The memorial meeting looks backward to the sacrifice of Jesus, inward as we examine ourselves, outward in fellowship with our brethren and sisters, and forward to the return of the Lord and the Kingdom of God.
What walking in newness of life looks like
HABIT
SCRIPTURE
PRACTICAL MEANING
Read and pray
Psalm 119:130; Philippians 4:6
Let Scripture shape the mind and bring needs and thanksgiving to God.
Love brethren and neighbours
1 John 4:7; Matthew 7:12
Show patience, fairness, forgiveness, generosity and practical care.
Keep separate from what defiles
2 Corinthians 6:17
Do not let the values and practices around us draw us away from God.
Love God wholeheartedly
Deuteronomy 6:5
Make loyalty to God the organising principle of the whole life.
Separation from what is unclean is moral and spiritual, not social isolation. Jesus served ordinary people while refusing behaviour that dishonoured God (2 Corinthians 6:17–18).
Growth is a lifelong process
Walking in newness of life is a lifetime of learning, repentance, prayer and renewal. Some habits change quickly; others require persistent struggle. The essential thing is to keep turning towards God.
Romans 6 speaks of the “old man” and a new allegiance: temptation remains, but sin is no longer to be accepted as master.
Do not confuse growth with perfection
A faithful disciple is not someone who never fails. A faithful disciple is someone who keeps returning to God, confessing sin, accepting correction, seeking forgiveness and continuing to follow the Lord Jesus.
A new creation in Christ
The New Testament describes the change in powerful language. Life in Christ is so different in direction and purpose that Paul calls the believer a “new creature”.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 • King James Version
This newness touches the whole life — speech, relationships, time, money, temptation, worship and hope. The Kingdom of God becomes the destination towards which life is moving.
SUMMARY
1
Baptism is a beginning. The believer leaves the old direction behind and learns to walk in newness of life.
2
Growth needs God’s Word and prayer. Scripture corrects us and prayer keeps us dependent on God’s grace.
3
Love and service mark the new life. Disciples care for brethren, sisters and neighbours, following the example of Jesus.
4
Christ remains central. The breaking of bread, continual repentance and hope of his return shape a lifelong walk of faith.
Chapters to read
1 Corinthians 13 • Luke 10:30–37 • Luke 22:14–20 • 1 Corinthians 11:23–28 • Romans 6
LEARN BY HEART • 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 • King James Version
CHRISTADELPHIAN BIBLE MISSION • 5
CHRISTADELPHIAN BIBLE MISSION • 1