"Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life"-Romans 6:4 (NKJ).

Jesus performed three miracles of raising the dead: the son of the widow of Nain (Luke 7:11-15), the twelve-year old daughter of Jairus (Luke 8:40-42, 49-56), and Lazarus (John 11:1-44). These powerful messianic miracles gave three people life; however, this was different from Jesus' resurrection...all three of these people would die again. Jesus is the Firstfruits of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20); an offering of the harvest that is God's (Leviticus 23:10). Jesus is a Gift freely given; once accepted, we commit to walk in newness of life...as disciples of Christ Jesus. Baptism represents the burial of the old "self;" raised to signify our union with Christ...raised by the glory of the Father.