3 Baptisms

1 Corinthians 10:1–5 NIV

For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

Intro

The first epistle to the Corinthians. Founded by the apostle Paul, the church of Corinth presents several problems:

Divisions;

Moral issues (incest);

Theological problems;

Disorders;

Rebellion against authority.

Paul, in his first letter, addresses these issues that are plaguing the church in Corinth.

Freedom requires responsibility. In chapter 10, Paul highlights the fact that having privileges from God does not mean that we can live as we want, rather, we are called to be good stewards of God's gifts.

The privileges of Israel. Paul lists the different privileges that Israel enjoyed in these first 5 verses of chapter 10:

They were under the cloud;

They all passed through the see;

They were all baptized into Moses, in the cloud and in the sea;

They all ate the same spiritual food;

They drank the same spiritual drink;

The Rock (Christ) accompanied them.

Yet, despite all these privileges, only two entered the Promised land. We too, as disciples of Jesus, have many privileges and freedoms and are called to safeguard them through our obedience to the Word of God.

3 Baptisms. In the list of privileges provided by Paul we noted that there are 3 baptisms that Israel experienced, but which did not prevent them from perishing in the wilderness. Water baptism has no salvific value, but is a testimony of what Jesus has accomplished in us.

Sermon's outline. As is often the case, the events that occurred in the Old Testament serve to point to what will be completed by Jesus' sacrifice: The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship (Hebrews 10:1 - NIV). Even the three baptisms experienced by the people of Israel can highlight some truths regarding this baptism:

Baptized into Moses;

Baptized in the Cloud;

Baptized in the Sea.

Baptized into Moses

The leader. For Israel Mose is the leader par excellence. Powerfully used by God to deliver his people, Moses proved to be a humble, capable, and courageous leader.

Although the term "baptize" means to immerse, in this verse Paul uses the term "baptize" to indicate the identification of the people of Israel in this courageous leader who was Moses.

The Bible reminds us that Israel was filled with fear: As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord (Exodus 14:10 - NIV). 

While everyone was fearful and panicked, Moses had the faith and strength to go down into the waters and strike the Red Sea as God had commanded them. With Moses the people of Israel passed through the Red Sea without getting their feet wet.

Jesus. This morning we will see people getting baptized to proclaim their identification with Jesus Christ, our Leader.Indeed, Christ stepped into the cold waters of death and sin to set us free.

We lived in fear of death and judgment but Jesus, our Champion, stepped forward to give us victory. 

This morning the people we see entering this water are not identifying with a religion or a group, but with that Person who looked death in the eyes and defeated it.

Actors, politicians, athletes, musicians... who do we want to identify with? They chose Jesus.

Baptized in the Cloud

The cloud. The second baptism to which Paul refers involves the cloud. The people of Israel, during their pilgrimage in the desert, were covered by the cloud.

God himself led his people into the wilderness: By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people (Exodus 13:21-22 - NIV).

Direction for Israel. Guide. Cloud baptism highlights another aspect of our baptism: we are under the guidance of the Lord. 

The people who will be baptized this morning are proclaiming that in Jesus they have found guidance and direction.

Before knowing Jesus there was no guidance, there was no direction and there was no goal to reach.Each tried to find his own way alone but without success: We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6 - NIV).

Then, we finally met Jesus, who invited us to follow him and our life found guidance and direction.

There are many who claim to find their own path without God's guidance. They are convinced that thanks to their own efforts they will succeed in their purpose.

John F. Kennedy said: "Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction."

With Jesus we finally know where we are going: Heaven and eternity await us.

Baptized in the Sea

The Red Sea. We have arrived at the last baptism mentioned by Paul: the one in the sea.

Thanks to a powerful wind, the Red Sea was opened and the people of Israel were able to pass through it.

The Egyptians also followed the Hebrews with their chariots: The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea (Exodus 14:23 - NIV).

In this open sea we have 2 nations, 2 types of people:

The Egyptians, with their chariots, a symbol of strength and power;

The Hebrews, on foot.

But in the midst of that open Red Sea something happened: He (God) jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.” (Exodus 14:25 - NIV).

Jonathan Sacks comments on this passage: "Suddenly the Israelites, traveling on foot, had an immense advantage over the Egyptian chariots: their wheels became stuck in the mud."

Only 1 people emerged from that sea: those on foot. The people who trusted in the power of chariots, the people who boasted in the speed of their horses were submerged by the waters: The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived. 29 But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. (Exodus 14:28-29 - NIV).

Submerged chariots. The people who will be baptized today are proclaiming this message: the chariots of pride, the horses of pride, the chariots of rebellion against God, are drowned forever. 

They have decided to leave the chariots and walk with Jesus every day!

We don't need to go fast, but just follow follow Jesus: follow him every day with humility and obedience.

Conclusion

3 Baptisms. This morning we will see a wonderful testimony of faith. Through this baptism they are proclaiming 3 precious truths:

Who their Leader is: Jesus;

Now they have a direction: Heaven;

How they will reach Heaven: without chariots, but walking every day with Jesus.