This episode is designed to show the process of the new life, the resurrected life in Christ. It is often mistaken as just being a spiritual application that is not intended to be literally obeyed. Many theologians would say that the necessity of being baptism would eliminate the need for grace. That would be the same as saying that Abraham's refusal to leave Ur of Chaldees or offer Isaac as a sacrifice would negate the promises of God. The chapter emphasized the need of "obeying from the heart that form of teaching" that freed them from sin and set them up as servants of righteousness (Romans 6:17-18).

Once again, it is critical that we see baptism as an act of faith and the character of faith will always obey God.