Paul here is showing one of the two instances in the Old Testament where people were baptised in a figure – the other example is described in 1^st Peter 3v20-21 {91}. In verse 1 Paul was even more specific in his description of the ‘baptism’, drawing the attention of the Corinthians to the fact that every Jew that came out of Egypt was both under the cloud and passed through the sea at the same time. Clearly for this “type” (shadow, precursor, example, figure) to be valid they had to be completely surrounded by water. This again shows that baptism today should include nothing less than complete immersion in water.

Notice also the fact that the baptism was for all of the Israelites – none were excluded for any reason. This is still the case today, where all believers need to be baptised – otherwise they will be left behind, and still be in slavery to sin.

Another point to note is the fact that this baptism happened before the law was given to Moses and then the Israelites. The other precursor of baptism in the Old Testament also happened before the law was given – at the time of Noah’s flood. Clearly something happened to the Jews even before they had the law revealed to them – showing that baptism had it’s roots in the time before the law. Perhaps John the Baptist had a special revelation of this from heaven, and brought those that he ministered to back into line with God’s move before the law was given.

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