Audio commentary on this verse

Note 4 at Rom. 6:3: Our spirit is the part of us that got born again (see note 2 at Jn. 3:3, p. 92) and this is the part of us that Paul is referring to as being baptized into Jesus and His death (see note 3 at Mt. 26:41, p. 507). Our physical man is not dead and our soul is not dead. But our "old man" died with Christ (see note 8 at v. 6, p. 778).

Note 5 at Rom. 6:3: The baptism that is being spoken of in verses three and four is not water baptism. Hebrews 6:2 speaks of the doctrine of baptisms (plural), clearly stating that there is more than one kind of baptism.

It is easy to see that there is a difference between the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the baptism into the body of Christ. When John the Baptist spoke of the baptism of the Holy Ghost in Matthew 3:11, he said that Jesus is the baptizer and the Holy Spirit is the one that we are being baptized with. But in 1 Corinthians 12:13, Paul says that the Holy Spirit is the baptizer and the body of Christ is what we are being baptized into. So, there are two different baptizers and two different elements that we are being baptized into leaving no doubt that these are two different baptisms.

The mistake of always associating the word "baptism" with water baptism has led many people to incorrectly interpret Romans 6:3-4 as speaking of water baptism. Some have even attempted to use these verses to prove that water baptism is the act that causes salvation. However, that is not what Paul is saying and in fact is exactly opposite every point that he has been making in the book of Romans for salvation by grace through faith. This is not speaking of the sign of water baptism (see note 9 at Mk. 16:16, p. 564 and note 2 at Acts 2:38, p. 582).

Paul is speaking of the act where every person who puts saving faith in Jesus as their Lord is automatically and instantaneously baptized (immersed-see ref. b at this verse) into Jesus and all that He purchased for us (1 Cor. 12:13; Col. 2:12). He is simply stating that every believer has become dead to sin (v. 6) through the death of Jesus. Jesus didn't die for His sins, He had none. He died for our sins (1 Pet. 2:24). Therefore, His death was for us and all the benefits to be obtained through His death and resurrection are our benefits.