Paul, guided by the Holy Spirit, said that the Israelites were "baptized into Moses" when they were crossing the Red Sea while fleeing Pharaoh and his armies. They were immersed under a cloud of water and with the walls of water on each side (1 Corinthians 10:1-2). They had a choice to surrender to the power of Pharaoh as he hemmed them into the region beside the sea. They had a choice to remain in Egyptian bondage or commit themselves completely to Moses' leadership. Baptism is the step into commitment. Baptism into Moses meant their trust was now placed in his leadership. This was not meritorious works. It is faith-commitment. Stepping in the water channel did not earn their salvation from Egypt. It meant that they trusted Moses to lead them to safety.

 

It is the same way with "baptism in the name of the Lord" (Acts 2:38; 10:47-48). It is similar to the Israelite's "baptism into Moses," in that we are "baptized into Christ" (Galatians 3:26-27). We are leaving the realm of Satan's domain and committing to Jesus to lead us to safety. 

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In Paul's analogy, Pharaoh is like Satan, and Moses is like Christ. Moses led them out of Egyptian bondage when Pharaoh's power was crushed, and left behind in the water of the Red Sea. Jesus leads us out of the domain of Satan and translates us into His kingdom (Colossians 1:13), leaving Satan's power to hold us in sin and condemnation behind as we are "baptized into Christ." It is here that we rise to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-6). We are free from sin, washed by the blood of Christ into whom we have committed our hearts and souls. Satan has us under his power until we are baptized into Christ. This is why Jesus said, "he that believes and is baptized shall be saved, he that believes not shall be condemned" (Mark 16:15-16). Baptism is not a work of merit. It is faith-commitment to Jesus, trusting Him alone with our freedom from sin and condemnation. 

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Have you committed to Him? Have you been "baptized into Him?"

 

Terry Wayne Benton