We Were Buried With Him Into Death
We were buried with Him into death
The hymn articulates the classical Lutheran understanding of baptism as sacramental participation in Christ's death and resurrection, foundational to the baptismal theology of the Reformation. It connects personal baptism to Christ's historical redemptive work, teaching that the believer's old self dies and rises with Christ in baptismal incorporation.
History & Background
Written by German pastor Daniel Deutschmann in the late 17th century, this hymn expounds the doctrine of baptismal union with Christ's death and resurrection. It was included in TLH (1941) as a translation from the German chorale tradition and remains a significant baptismal hymn in Lutheran hymnody.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 274
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 254
Translation
The Lutheran Hymnal editorial committee
Bulletin Note
Written by Daniel Deutschmann in 1698, this hymn embodies Lutheran sacramental theology: baptism is not mere symbol but real participation in Christ's death and resurrection, where the old self dies and new life in Christ begins.
Preaching Connection
This hymn deepens proclamation of baptismal dying-and-rising by making sacramental union with Christ's redemptive act the heart of the believer's response to both Law's death-dealing judgment and Gospel's life-giving resurrection.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- The Definition & Command of Baptism Small Catechism — Holy Baptism
- The Means of Baptism Small Catechism — Holy Baptism
- Confession of Sin Small Catechism — Confession
Themes
Baptism as dying and rising with Christ Death and resurrection New life in Christ Union with Christ