Understanding Baptism – Part 3 – By Tom Buckle

Understanding Water Baptism

Part III

 

Three Old Testament Examples in NT

 

The first example likens baptism to Noah and the flood.  (18) “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, (19) by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, (20) who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. (21) There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, (22) who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers have been made subject to Him” (I Peter 3:18-22r 3:18-22
English: World English Bible - WEB
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” ¹⁹ Now we know that whatever things the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God. ²⁰ Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight. For through the law comes the knowledge of sin. ²¹ But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets; ²² even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction,

WP-Bible plugin).

 

Noah and his family were safe in the ark as they entered into the new world.  Those who rejected Noah’s warning met their judgment in the flood.    The water that saved Noah also damned in judgment those who refused the invitation to join him.  “In the same way, the Christian passes through God’s judgment on sin into security with Christ.  As the waters of the flood pounded the ark it could not harm those inside.  Likewise, the judgment of God fell upon the Lord Jesus Christ, who died, the Just in place of, and so shielding, the unjust.  After being brought ‘to God’ the Christian lives in the sphere where the risen Christ reigns.  The flood was the type; baptism is the antitype.  Baptism therefore represents a covenant” and receiving its blessings. (New Bible Dictionary, Douglas, Eerdmans Press, 1962, p.131)

 

The second New Testament comparison likens baptism to the Abrahamic covenant that centers on circumcision.  In Colossians 2:11-12Colossians 2:11-12
English: World English Bible - WEB
11 in whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; ¹² having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

WP-Bible plugin we read, “In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”  Circumcision is used as a spiritual example to symbolize the old life separating from the new; circumcision not made with hands, by cutting off the sins of the flesh and becoming a new person in Christ.  The next verse of Colossians equates being dead in trespasses with uncircumcision.

 

Baptism is a seal, representing a covenant made with God to follow Him and live by His teachings.  It is a “seal” in the believer’s life that he/she has committed their life to follow Christ.  Someone said it this way: “What circumcision was in the covenant of Abraham, baptism is to the Christian.”  Baptism is called a “seal” (2 Corinthians 1:21-222 Corinthians 1:21-22
English: World English Bible - WEB
21 Now he who establishes us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God; ²² who also sealed us, and gave us the down payment of the Spirit in our hearts.

WP-Bible plugin; Ephesians 1:13Ephesians 1:13
English: World English Bible - WEB
13 in whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Gospel of your salvation,—in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

WP-Bible plugin).  Its usage may be based in these passages on the use of the word “anointed” (2 Corinthians 1:212 Corinthians 1:21
English: World English Bible - WEB
21 Now he who establishes us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God;

WP-Bible plugin).

 

Summarizing the comparison of baptism to circumcision, we can simply state that Christians are blessed with “the circumcision of Christ not made with hands”.  A total life changing experience, baptism symbolizes Christ’s death and resurrection whereby followers are putting to death the sins of the flesh and are raised new persons. Baptism stands as the beginning of a covenant relationship with the Lord.

 

The third comparison of baptism in the New Testament is found in I Corinthians. The Apostle Paul reminds the Jews that when their fathers came out of Egypt and passed through the Red Sea under the cloud they were baptized into Moses in the cloud and the sea. “Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea” (I Corinthians 10:1-2).

 

By linking circumcision with baptism the Apostle Paul issues a stern warning on the believer depending on this outward sign of an inward work for his salvation (see I Corinthians 10).   Unfortunately, the Israelites did not stay true to their God.  They were disobedient, worldly and followed the lust of the flesh.  They displeased God and perished in the wilderness.  The outward signs of God’s intervention in parting the Red Sea, destroying the pursuing Egyptians, and baptizing them in the cloud could not save them from their disobedience after their deliverance.  Likewise, baptism alone will not save.  It is an ordinance and a symbol of what has already transpired in a person’s life when he or she was born anew in Christ Jesus.