There have been several discussions about baptism here lately (which I love, BTW). As a way of building on that ongoing discussion, Id like to pose a question to you on the forums.
Do you believe that there is any value in looking for Old Testament symbols of baptism? Does it prove anything regarding a particular stance on baptism? Is it helpful to the discussion? What can we learn from them? What specific examples can you think of?
Here's mine, the classic: Peter, in his first epistle, relates baptism to the story of Noah.
1 Pet 3: 20-21:
when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Thoughts?
Strength & Honor,
There was NO baptism in the Hebrew Scriptures!!!
Baptism was started by John the Baptist, called John's Baptism, Acts 19:1-7.
This baptism was for forgiveness of sins, and only for the Jews, because they were in a Covenant relationship with God, and had broken the Covenant, many times, Acts 2:36-40.
After the Jews were baptized with John' baptism, they then had to be baptized again, in the same baptism the Gentiles later got baptized, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Matt 28:19,20.
Peter likened baptism to being in the ARK of Noah's day. This is because it is the only way to salvation, 1Pet 3:18-21.
The reason that baptism was a requirement was to symbolize the death of the old body and the beginning of a new life, the Christian Way. Baptism symbolized going into the grave and then being raised up again.
The Bible tells us that all the ones who accepted Jesus as the Messiah in the first century, received Holy Spirit, which symbolized that they were to be ADOPTED by God as His Sons, and were to be CO-Rulers with Jesus during the 1000 year Judgement Day, Rev 20:4-6, Rom 8:14-17. This is what Jesus was talking about when he talked to Nicodemus, about being BORN AGAIN, at John 3:3-8.
Al the ones who accepted Jesus as the Messiah would redeive the same resurrection that Jesus received, to heaven as IMMORTAL SPIRIT creatures, Rom 6:3-6, 1Cor 15:51-54, 1Pet 3:18,19. In the spirit state, Jesus went and preached to the wicked spirits who were locked up in spirit prison, TARTARUS, 2Pet 2:4, Jude 6.
Baptism was a new thing, and was for all who wanted to become Christians, Matt 28:19,20. The Jews were ALL under a covenant relationship with God and needed nothing to show their loyalty, but obedience, Deut 5:1-3.
So just because people call themselves Christian, does not mean that they ARE Christian. NOMINAL Christians are not pleasing to God, there is a special WAY for Christians today, the same as in the Mosaic dispensation, Acts 9:2, 19:9,23, 22:4.
The nation of Israel was God's special people out of all other people, Ex 19:5,6, Deut 7:6, 14:1,2, Isa 43:10-13. God gave His Commandments to NO OTHER Nation, Deut 4:6-8, Ps 147:19,20, 1Chron 17:21.