: Someday we will know more about the nature of baptism. I’ve been praying to the Lord for that knowledge. It fascinates me that what I once thought to be a symbolic ritual is really a powerful work of God to crucify our souls and separate them from the sinful nature that once bound them. Furthermore, it is everywhere in the Bible. Even before the cross, and in the Old Testament, God was foreshadowing the coming of a magnificent gift, full of power and purpose. Baptism is a big deal in God’s sight. I value what God values, so I am praying He will show me more.
To be clear, no one was baptized in the Old Testament. It was not a thing. There was no word for it in those days. The first foreshadowing of baptism was the covenant of circumcision, given to Abraham and therefore all his male offspring. The removal of the foreskin was symbolic of the removal of the sinful nature: a gift that would only be given to God’s people after the cross, to set us free from the rule of sin.
The Old Testament gives us other glimpses of what was to come. The nation of Israel was in slavery in Egypt for 430 years, right? When Moses—who was a type of Christ in the Old Testament—came to set them free, he led them out of Egypt to the Red Sea. It was on that shore that Israel looked back to see Pharaoh’s army coming to take them captive again. God saved Israel by parting the waters of the Red Sea, after which the walls of water engulfed the soldiers who were in pursuit.
Beyond the Red Sea was Mount Sanai and the Promised land. On Mount Sinai God declared the nation of Israel to be His Holy people, giving them the Ten Commandments. Following that, it was on to the Promised Land. Both blessings—the declaration of holiness and entering the Promised Land (heaven), became possible only after being “baptized” through the Red Sea.
Well, you know that Israel did not go in right away because they rebelled against God and wanted to go back to Egypt. This resulted in turning around and wandering in the desert for 40 years—the time it took for that whole generation to die off. When it came time for God to bring their children into the Promised Land, they first had to cross the Jordan River at flood stage. God sent the Levites ahead of them, carrying the Ark of the Covenant. Wouldn’t you know it? That waters stood up “in a heap,” and the nation crossed on dry land! You can read about it in Joshua 3. This too was symbolic of baptism. Thus, Jesus told Nicodemas, “Unless you are born of water and the Spirit, you cannot see the kingdom of God (Promised Land).”
Of course, we should not miss the fact that Noah and his family built an ark and were saved because of it. The waters rose and the ark floated. Noah, his family, and the wildlife onboard the ark (of the covenant?) rose above all that was sinful and that died under the water, just as with Pharaoh’s army. The Scriptures declare:
“In it (the ark) only a few people, 8 in all, were saved through water. And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you through the resurrection of Jesus Christ…” 1 Peter 3:20-21
Water plays a huge role in the Bible. We are told that earth was formed “out of water and by water.” When the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side, blood and water flowed out. The Holy Spirit is living water. Life in the Kingdom of God is fully realized where the gifts of faith and water baptism intersect, and we become new creations in Christ. This too is a mystery.
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