Romans 6 speaks of baptism as the Holy Spirit's work that identifies believers with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection—not water baptism.
In Romans 6:3-4, Paul refers to being baptized into Jesus Christ and into His death. Les Feldick teaches that this baptism is the work of the Holy Spirit, who places believers into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13), and that water cannot accomplish this spiritual reality. This baptism signifies the believer's death to the old man and resurrection to newness of life.
Romans 6:3-4 — These verses directly describe baptism into Christ's death and burial, the central passage in Romans 6 regarding baptism.
In Romans 6:3-4, the Apostle Paul asks, "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." These verses connect baptism with a spiritual union with Christ's death and resurrection. The passage does not explicitly mention water, but rather describes a baptism into Christ Himself and into His death. The context indicates a spiritual identification, not a physical ritual. Paul later states in Romans 6:6, "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." This further emphasizes the spiritual transformation that accompanies this baptism.
Les Feldick teaches that the baptism in Romans 6 is not water baptism but the baptism of the Holy Spirit, who places believers into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). He emphasizes that water cannot accomplish this spiritual reality. He explains that being baptized into Christ's death means that believers, in the mind of God, died with Christ, were buried with Him, and rose to newness of life. This is a work of God alone, and it is the only valid baptism for the age of grace. Les also draws an analogy with Israel's crossing of the Red Sea, which pictures death to the old life and resurrection to a new one. He notes that this baptism is a complete reversal from the Jewish economy, where Jesus baptized with the Holy Spirit, to the Church age, where the Holy Spirit baptizes believers into Christ.
No. Les Feldick clearly states that water cannot put anyone into the body of Christ. He says, "Water can't do that. Water can't put anybody into the body of Christ," and that this baptism "has to be the work of the Spirit of God and not water." He also points out that no denomination teaches that water baptism baptizes you into death; instead, they baptize into the church or denomination, whereas Romans 6 speaks of being baptized into Christ's death.
Les connects the baptism in Romans 6 with 1 Corinthians 12:13, where the Holy Spirit baptizes believers into the body of Christ. He describes this as being "engulfed," "inundated," or "engulfed" into Christ. This is a spiritual act performed by the Holy Spirit, not a physical ritual.
Les Feldick uses Israel's crossing of the Red Sea as a picture of this spiritual baptism. Although Israel walked on dry land and did not get wet, the crossing separated them from Egypt and brought them to new life on the other side. He says they were "engulfed" and "inundated" in the leadership of Moses and the cloud, illustrating that baptism in Scripture does not always refer to water.
Red Sea Crossing as Picture
Les uses the Red Sea crossing to illustrate that biblical baptism can be spiritual, not watery, as Israel was engulfed by the cloud and sea without getting wet.
Baptism into Death
Les explains that Romans 6:4's baptism into death is not water baptism but a spiritual reality that goes beyond what water can do.
Baptism into Christ
Les connects the baptism in Romans 6 to the Holy Spirit's work in 1 Corinthians 12:13, engulfing believers into Christ's death and resurrection.
Water Cannot Do This
Les explicitly states that water baptism cannot put anyone into Christ; this baptism is the work of the Spirit, making water irrelevant.
Buried with Christ
Les explains that being buried with Christ in baptism means God saw believers in the tomb with Christ, and they are raised to new life.
Baptism for the Dead Context
Les clarifies that the baptism mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:29 is not water baptism but relates to resurrection hope, similar to Romans 6.
Crucified With Christ: What It Means to Be a New Creation (Romans 6 & Galatians 2)
He knew there would have to be salvation, and so he programmed the whole thing with that in view. Alright, now in Romans chapter 6, verse 6, Romans chapter 6, verse 6. Now remember this is after the Holy Spirit has begun to work on this part of us that we're going to call the soul and spirit, albeit it's a sin nature.
Spirit Baptizes Believers
Les contrasts the Jewish economy where Jesus baptized with the Spirit, with the Church age where the Holy Spirit baptizes believers into Christ.
Romans 6:3: Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
This verse is the foundation for understanding that baptism in Romans 6 is into Christ and His death, not water.
Romans 6:4: 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.
This verse explains the purpose of this baptism: burial with Christ and resurrection to new life.
1 Corinthians 12:13: For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
This verse is key to Les's teaching that the baptism in Romans 6 is the Spirit's work of placing believers into the body of Christ.
Romans 6:6: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
This verse reinforces the spiritual death and transformation that accompanies this spiritual baptism.
No. Les Feldick teaches that this baptism is the work of the Holy Spirit, who places believers into Christ, not a water ritual. Water cannot achieve the spiritual reality described.
It means that in the mind of God, believers died with Christ, were buried with Him, and were raised to new life. This happens spiritually through the Holy Spirit's work, not physically.
Les Feldick sees the Red Sea crossing as a picture of spiritual baptism: Israel passed through the sea, engulfed by God's power, leaving Egypt behind, just as believers leave the old life behind in Christ.
Watch the Teaching: Water Baptism vs. Spirit Baptism: What Places You in the Body of Christ?