Old Testament Foreshadows of New Testament Water Baptism
After sharing that water baptism was a necessary component of salvation, an individual gave me a commentary stating Old Testament saints were saved and born again without water baptism. The commentary prompted me to study further.
As you review the following biblical examples below, keep in mind that although the individuals did not immerse in water, water was a means of protection. Similarly, Jesus is depicted in the lamp stand in the Old Testament Tabernacle. He certainly was not a literal lamp stand; however, He was, and still is the light of the world.
Noah believed and acted upon his belief by building an ark to the saving of his house. They were preserved and saved through water. During this event, water was the vehicle by which the Earth was cleansed of all sin.
Baby Moses was placed in an ark and floated to safety. Later upon instruction from God, Moses parted the Red Sea and the children of Israel escaped from their enemies through water. Again, their sinful enemies were washed away in water.
Upon consecration into the priesthood; the candidate was to be washed head to toe in the tabernacle laver. Afterward he could enter the tabernacle only after washing his hands and feet. The first requirement parallels with New Testament water baptism wherein our sins are literally washed away, the second parallels ones need to be kept clean by daily washing away thoughts and actions from our lives after seeing the error of our ways in the Word of God.
Prior to Elijah be taken up in a whirlwind, he smote the Jordan with his mantle and the waters parted. He and Elisha went over on dry ground, immediately the chariot of fire appeared and he was taken up to Heaven in a whirlwind. We know that every recorded word in the Bible is there to broaden our understanding. Evidently, going through the water was necessary before Elijah could be taken to Heaven.
After lodging at the Jordan for three days, Joshua and the Israelites walked across the Jordan into the promised land. The Ark of the Covenant caused the water to rise up in a heap. A man from every tribe (12) left a stone of remembrance as evidence for all future generations of how God brought them into the promised land. Interestingly, twelve apostles were commanded to preach water baptism in the New Testament. It is also interesting to note, as well, that those present had to pass through water to get to the earthly promised land. How does this apply to our own entrance into the promised land of eternity? After passing over the Jordan, the Israelites were commanded to be circumcised at the hill of Gilgal. We see the connection between circumcision of the Old Testament and water baptism of the New Testament reflected in that single event.
I make it a point to look at new information with an open mind. I'm glad I was provided with someone else's opinion; it made me delve deeper into Word. What I found was more examples of God's truth about baptism. Thank God He teaches us more with each passing day.
After sharing that water baptism was a necessary component of salvation, an individual gave me a commentary stating Old Testament saints were saved and born again without water baptism. The commentary prompted me to study further.
As you review the following biblical examples below, keep in mind that although the individuals did not immerse in water, water was a means of protection. Similarly, Jesus is depicted in the lamp stand in the Old Testament Tabernacle. He certainly was not a literal lamp stand; however, He was, and still is the light of the world.
Noah believed and acted upon his belief by building an ark to the saving of his house. They were preserved and saved through water. During this event, water was the vehicle by which the Earth was cleansed of all sin.
Baby Moses was placed in an ark and floated to safety. Later upon instruction from God, Moses parted the Red Sea and the children of Israel escaped from their enemies through water. Again, their sinful enemies were washed away in water.
Upon consecration into the priesthood; the candidate was to be washed head to toe in the tabernacle laver. Afterward he could enter the tabernacle only after washing his hands and feet. The first requirement parallels with New Testament water baptism wherein our sins are literally washed away, the second parallels ones need to be kept clean by daily washing away thoughts and actions from our lives after seeing the error of our ways in the Word of God.
Prior to Elijah be taken up in a whirlwind, he smote the Jordan with his mantle and the waters parted. He and Elisha went over on dry ground, immediately the chariot of fire appeared and he was taken up to Heaven in a whirlwind. We know that every recorded word in the Bible is there to broaden our understanding. Evidently, going through the water was necessary before Elijah could be taken to Heaven.
After lodging at the Jordan for three days, Joshua and the Israelites walked across the Jordan into the promised land. The Ark of the Covenant caused the water to rise up in a heap. A man from every tribe (12) left a stone of remembrance as evidence for all future generations of how God brought them into the promised land. Interestingly, twelve apostles were commanded to preach water baptism in the New Testament. It is also interesting to note, as well, that those present had to pass through water to get to the earthly promised land. How does this apply to our own entrance into the promised land of eternity? After passing over the Jordan, the Israelites were commanded to be circumcised at the hill of Gilgal. We see the connection between circumcision of the Old Testament and water baptism of the New Testament reflected in that single event.
I make it a point to look at new information with an open mind. I'm glad I was provided with someone else's opinion; it made me delve deeper into Word. What I found was more examples of God's truth about baptism. Thank God He teaches us more with each passing day.