“Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.” (1 Cor 10:11, ESV)
By this point you would’ve seen that the emphasis for this month has, so far, been two main topics: on the one hand, the unfolding process of holiness (where we spoke about calling, conversion, rebirth, faith and baptism) and, on the other hand, about how the believer should handle the Bible responsibly. Today’s section builds on this and beautifully illuminates this process, as well as the integration of the two main themes.
When Paul states in the Scripture above that all the Old Testament happenings occurred as an example and as instruction for us who have come to the end of the times, it is a very important guideline, not only in how to read the Old Testament, but also in terms of how we should live in the here and now.
He then uses the history of the people of Israel, who moved out of slavery under Moses’ leadership, as an example. 1 Cor 10:1-4 states: “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, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.”
When this happened, in 1426 B.C, he says: Christ was there! The Rock was Christ!
Immediately this Scripture requires that you understand the history of the exodus out of Egypt and the journey through the Red Sea and the moving under the cloud as a parallel of the believer’s road out of slavery back to the Promised Land. This means that after you have heard God’s voice calling you, you repent and turn in a new direction and begin to walk in faith. Through this process God “rebirths” you and, in Christ, you are “baptised in the cloud and in the sea” – baptism in water and baptism with the Holy Spirit.
The other Old Testament example used as a parallel for the same theme is the flood of Noah where “eight souls were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us – baptism …” (1 Pet 3:20b-21). And, taking into account that eight is the symbol of a new beginning, it is understandable that baptism is literally and figuratively a watershed in your life.
- Sela: Try to determine in detail how the Great Flood is an antitype of baptism.
- Read: Gen 25: Ps 25;1 John 4
- Memorise: 1 John 4:18-19
