I would offer...
Water is used as a metaphor in that ceremonial law performed when entering the priesthood of believers .The Son of man from the tribe of Judah was fulling the prophecy after the new manner of priesthood .(Melchezedek) No longer after a Levi. John the last Levi of the old order.
Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.John3:25-27
Context is important... destroy the foundation of the doctrine then its anything goes.
Signs follow not lead one has a desire represent the gospel . The Unbelieving Jew demanded a sign before they would beleive .(no faith)
The faithless Jew took the shadows. . like water that clearly was used as metaphors and worshipped them as idols tools . . . the work of mans hand.
Taking away the gospel message as if they were more than a ceremonial laws that as a shadow of good things to come it working in the old tesetemmt saints spoke ahead to a suffering Savior and the glory that followed
We look back by the same faith that worked in them, not of our own selves after something we can do, they looked ahead by the same authority .
The faithless Jew would have nothing to do with the idea of a ceremonial law as a shadow. . But rather in affect said; we will do whatsoever our own mouths say . Making the word of God the one source of Christian faith without effect (Jerimiah 44)
Receiving the end of our faith from the beginning as one work our confidence..(Philipian1:6)
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.1 Peter 1:8-11
The time of reformation has come, the veil is rent .the last days began .
Water is used a metaphor in all cases .It does not stop being used as a metaphor in parables .
If we walk by faith and then we will not have do obey the desires flesh . Like for instance...get me wet or make a noise as some sort of sign gift to confirm or convince.
The doctrines of God or called water of the word is that by which husbands are to wash their wives in the same way Christ washes us clean from within . Wash each other with the Love of God
The same principle. Its not what goes into the flesh or on the flesh ……..coming from anything pertaining to the flesh. I think it is why Jesus said His flesh profits for nothing.
According to the rule of interpretation. It would be like saying: Do you not understand, that whatsoever goes on the body dries up or washes off? If we do not as Christian, that walk by faith. . . . wrestles against flesh and blood. Then why would we think it has a advantage in knowing Christ? We do not wrestle against flesh and blood (the temporal things seen) because we have a advantage in Christ.
Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.Mathew 15:17-20
