THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF WATER IN GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION FROM THE PRIMEVAL BEGINNING

A careful study of the Bible will show that water has been in God's plan from the very beginning. Genesis 1:2 reads, "And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." Again in Genesis 2:10, "And a river went out of Eden to water the garden."

Water is the most common element in the world. God used water to judge the unbelieving world and at the same time to save those who believed in Him during the Great Flood (Job 22:15-16, 2 Pet 2:5). When God led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage, He saved them by opening for them a way through the Red Sea while Israel's enemies were destroyed. The Lord said:

“I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your king. Thus saith the Lord, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters; Which bringeth forth chariots and horses, the army and the power? They shall lie down together, they shall not rise: They are extinct, they are quenched as tow.” (Is 43:1 5-17)

“Thy way is the sea, and Thy path in the great waters, and Thy footsteps are not known.” (Ps

77:19)

THE PREFIGURATION OF THE FLOOD AND THE CROSSING OF THE REDSEA

Many of the recorded events in the Old Testament point the way to greater truths in the New Testament. This is called pre-configuration or typology. During the Great Flood "wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (I Pet 3:20-21)

Just as the Flood typifies salvation through water baptism, so does the crossing of the Red Sea.

“Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.” (I Cor 10:1-2)

“Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not His anger for ever, because He delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” (Mic 7:18-19)

PRECEDENTS OF WATER BAPTISM IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Water baptism is not mentioned in the Old Testament, but some of the purification rituals may be considered its antecedents. On the day of Atonement the high priest must make a sin offering in the holy place within the veil before the mercy seat, which is upon the Ark. Before the high priest went into the presence of the Lord he had to "wash his flesh in water" and then put on the holy garments (Lev 16:2-4). This cleansing ritual symbolizes that every person who comes before God must first have his sins washed away and made righteous. The sacrificial death of our High Priest, Jesus Christ, marks the beginning of the New Testament and washes our bodies with pure water (Heb 10:14-22). Water baptism has replaced the purification rite of the Old Testament as a means of washing away sins (Acts 2:38, 22:16, 1 Cor 6:1 1). Christians who have their sins cleansed by the blood of our Lord Jesus in the water baptism have become priests unto God (I Pet 2:9, Rev 1:5-6).

Another event in the Old Testament which can be typologically taken as a precedent of Christian baptism is the dipping of Naaman in the River Jordan seven times before the healing of his leprosy (II King 5:1-14). It is interesting to note that Naaman "went down and dipped himself" in the river (11 King 5:14). The word "baptism" is derived from the original Hebrew word "tabal" or Greek "baptizo" meaning "to dip or immerse."

CHRISTIAN BAPTISM IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

The writers of the Synoptic Gospels first mentioned water baptism of John the Baptist: "Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins." (Mt 3:5-6, Mk 1:4-5, Lk 3:3, Jn 1:28). Although John the Baptist baptized the Lord Jesus Christ, who did not baptize anyone, John's baptism differs from the New Testament baptism (Mt 3:13-16, Jn 4:1-2). John the Baptist's baptism is called the "baptism of repentance" (Lk 3:3, Acts 1 9:3-4), whereas Christian baptism is called "baptism into Jesus Christ" (Rom 6:3, Gal 3:27). The Christian baptism was not established until the death of the Lord Jesus (Heb 9:15-17) and would not be efficacious if the Lord Jesus was not resurrected (I Pet 3:21). Moreover, the Bible identifies baptism into Christ with the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 6:3-11, Col 2:12-13). As soon as salvation was accomplished at Calvary, John's baptism of repentance was replaced by the washing of regeneration and rebirth. This is the reason the disciples at Ephesus had to be re-baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, even though they had received the baptism of repentance (Acts 19:3-6). Before His Ascension, our Lord gave the great commission that the repentance and remission of sins through baptism must be preached (Mt 28:18-20, Lk 24:44-49, Mk 16:15-16).

IS IT NECESSARY FOR CHRISTIANS TO RECEIVE BAPTISM, SINCE THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN CHRIST ARE SAVED BY GRACE?

It is true that Christians are saved by grace through faith, but what grace is and how we can show our faith seem to be vital for our salvation (Eph 2:8, Jas 2:17-20). The Bible teaches us that faith is more than just believing in the heart. True faith must be demonstrated in an action of obedience to God's will (Jas 2:21-26, Heb 11:1-34). The question we should ask is whether water baptism is in accordance with God's will. If it is, then the believer should not hesitate to receive water baptism as soon as possible in order to demonstrate a faith acceptable to God. The New Testament is full of examples concerning how people received baptism as soon as they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ:

Three thousand believers were baptized on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:37-41)

Men and women in Samaria were baptized “when they believed ... the Kingdom of God, and the Name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 8:12)

The Ethiopian eunuch was baptized by Philip (Acts 8:35-39)

The first gentile believers were baptized in the name of the Lord by Peter (Acts 10:43-48)

The jailer and his household were baptized the night when he believed (Acts 16:30-33)

Crispus and many of the Corinthians believed in the Lord and were baptized (Acts 18:8)

The reason the biblical examples show that the believers were baptized as soon as they believed is that our Lord Jesus had declared, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mk 16:15). Here is the answer. Two things would lead to salvation. First belief, which is faith; then baptism, which is the action to demonstrate the believer's faith. This is the grace given by God and accepted by man's faith.

THE THIEF ON THE CROSS WAS SAVED WITHOUT BAPITSM. WHY CAN'T CHRISTIANS BE SAVED IN THE SAME WAY?

The crucifixion of our Lord Jesus took place nearly two thousand years ago, marking the dividing line between two covenants, the old and the new testaments (Heb 9:15-17). The salvation granted to the thief on the cross is unique and similar occurrence will never be repeated in history - The thief was promised salvation directly by the Lord Jesus before his death. In other words, the special favor of salvation to the thief was given under the terms of the Old Testament, a time when Christian baptism for justification and regeneration had not been instituted. The Lord Jesus Christ had to die and be resurrected first before water baptism could have any effect.

Another extended meaning of this incident may serve to remind us of our need to identify ourselves with the death of the Lord Jesus in baptism and in our nailing the flesh aid the world on the cross (Rom 6:3-6, Gal 5:24, 6:14). Just as the penitent thief on the cross was crucified with Christ, we Christians should be crucified with Him when we are baptized and thenceforth lead a consecrated life.

IS WATER BAPTISM MERELY AN EXTERNAL TESTIMONY TO GOD, PEOPLE, THE ANGELS, AND EVEN THE DEVIL THAT THE BAPTIZED HAS ACCEPTED THE LORD?

There is no biblical support to say that water baptism is an outward sign or a testimonial to God, other people, angels, and the devil. When the Lord Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan he did so "to fulfill all righteousness" (Mt 3:13-15). John baptized “with water unto repentance” (Mt 3:11). People were "baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins" (Mt 3:6).The apostle Peter told the Jews on the day of Pentecost: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). Water baptism accompanied by repentance and faith is for the remission of sins. When Saul (Paul) hesitated to receive water baptism, Ananias urged him, "And now why tarriest thou ? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the Name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).

SINS ARE FORGIVEN WHEN CHRISTIANS REPENT AND CONFESS TO THE LORD. THEREFORE, WATER BAPTISM DOES NOT NECESSARILY HAVE THE EFFECT OF WASHING AWAY SINS. IS THIS TEACHING CORRECT?

No. It is a prevailing acknowledgment that Christ forgives Christians' sins when they repent and confess to the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19, 1 Jn 1:9). But let us be very clear about the biblical truth regarding the two types of sins. One is the original sin inherited from the fall of Adam (Gen 2:17, Rom 5:12,19, 1 Cor 15:22, Ps 51:5, 58:3,Job 25:4, Rom 7:17-20). The second is personal sin committed by each individual since birth (Rom 3:23, Jas 4:17, 1 Jn 3:4, 5:17, Prov 20:9, 1 Jn 1:8). A person can repent and confess only his or her own personal sins to the Lord, but there is no way for him or her to confess and repent of the sins of forefathers or Adam. Only the Lord Jesus can take away all our sins. He died on the cross and bore our sins on His body (I Pet 2:24). The Lord Jesus also washes away our sins in His own blood (Heb 9:14; 1 Jn 1:7).

How can a Christian, living in the twentieth century, identify with the death of the Lord Jesus and be washed in His blood? The Bible teaches us that a believer is identified with the Lord's death by being baptized into His death (Rom 6:3-8). During baptism a person is washed "not by water only, but by water and blood. An it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth" (I Jn 5:6-8, cf. Jn 19:34-35). Through the name of the Lord, the Word, the blood in the water, and the Spirit who bears witness, can one's original and personal sins be all washed away.

WHAT DEFINITE SCRIPTURAL PROOF DO WE HAVE REGARDING THE REMISSION OF SINS BY BAPTISM?

Two oft-quoted verses in the Book of Acts evidence that man's sins are remitted during baptism:

Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, 'Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost' "

Acts 22:16 "And now why tarriest thous? Arise, and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the Name of the Lord."

The Lord Jesus remits our sins through water baptism. We know that the truth of the Gospel and our Church experience have confirmed to us:

Baptism is administered in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 10:43, 2:38, 1 Cor 6:11).

Baptism is to be baptized into the death of the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 6:3-4). When a person is baptized "in the likeness of His death," he bows his head as Jesus died on the cross (Jn 19:30). To be baptized into His death also means that the sinful body is destroyed (Rom 6:6-7).

Baptism is "not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth." (I Jn 5:6-8,Eph 1:7, Heb 9:22, Jn 19:34-35, Rev 1:5).

Baptism is administered by Spirit-filled ministers who are sent by the Lord Jesus Christ (Jn 20:21-23, 1 Cor 6:11, 12:13).

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