The Way In The Sea

by J. Bowman | Category: From Egypt To Canaan | Mar 1969

God has always had a way for His own, and there have been men and women in all generations who have walked therein although often they have been few in number. Abraham walked this way at God's command, "Walk before Me, and be thou perfect" (Genesis 17,1). God not only had a way for Abraham and his family but also for Abraham's seed the nation who were his descendants. Like Abraham, Israel was called out from idolatry (see Joshua 24.2,14 and Ezekiel 20.6,7) 50 that they might go forth to follow God in the way of His choosing. Immediately following their redemption on the night of the Passover this whole nation set forth as a great band of pilgrims from the land of Egypt. It was the day of Israel's espousals. Out of love to the God who had delivered them they went after Him in the wilderness (Jeremiah 2.2). There was a direct route to the promised land but God did not lead them that way because it was the way of the Philistines. It was no way for God's people. So they journeyed from Rameses to Succoth and thence to Etham on the edge of the wilderness into which they were prepared to venture with their God. Then came God's message to them through Moses, "Turn back and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea". Why such an instruction from the God who had chosen the way for them? Why not enter upon the wilderness experience without a Red Sea crossing, when it was possible to do so? Or why, if He intended them to pass through the Sea did He not lead them there in the first place without the necessity for turning back? Surely it was to impress upon Israel that although there was another way God's way was in the sea (Psalm 77.19).

It was only by a Red Sea crossing that a complete break with Egypt could be made. Pharaoh was determined to bring them back and as he pursued Israel appeared to have been led into a defenceless position and feared for their lives. They were rebellious at the "... Red Sea, nevertheless He saved them for His name's sake, that He might make His mighty power to be known" (Psalm 106.7,8). The Egyptians were powerless to harm God's redeemed people because the angel of God and the pillar of cloud removed from before them and stood behind them, thus separating the two companies. Moses stretched out his hand, and by the power of God the sea was divided, forming two great walls of water.

"The floods stood upright as an heap;

The deeps were congealed in the heart of the sea"

(Exodus 15.8).

At the divine command Israel marched through on the path of the dry sea-bed having faith in their God. God's power opened up the waters but it took faith to walk through. The military hosts of Egypt, as they attempted to follow, were completely overthrown when the waters returned. What a salvation indeed! Well might Israel sing in triumph as they realized that their deliverance was now complete.

The Holy Spirit's commentary through Paul on Israel's experiences, which include the Red Sea crossing, is "Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come' (1 Corinthians 10.11). As then so now God has a way for His own, and there is a striking analogy between His dealings with Israel and with men today. Israel's passing through the Red Sea speaks of baptism "they were all baptized into (R.V.M.) Moses in the cloud and in the sea" (1 Corinthians 10.2). God's way for the believer today lies through the waters of baptism. This is not optional but imperative; not imperative for eternal salvation, but for the pleasing of Him who for our sakes died and rose again. The word concerning baptism comes to the believer as a command from the One who has all authority in heaven and on earth (see Matthew 28.18-20). To refuse to be baptized is to disregard the authority of the risen Christ.

It says concerning Israel, "They were all baptized". There was not an unbaptized man or woman among them. None entered upon the wilderness journey without crossing the Red Sea. No unbaptized person shared in the privileges of service and worship. Likewise today it is dishonouring to the Lord when baptized and unbaptized believers join together and meet to break bread. This is a setting aside of God's way and the substituting of man's way.

Baptism as practised by the early churches was undoubtedly by means of total immersion. This required that both the baptizer and the person to be baptized should enter the water as in the case of Philip and the eunuch (see Acts 8.38). There is no authority for substituting sprinkling for this. The importance of baptism lies in what it stands for, and only immersion can set this forth in figure. As Christ was buried, so the believer, having died with Christ, should submit to his body being buried in water "that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life". (Romans 6.4). God accounts that we died with Christ and we are called upon to reckon ourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus. Such should be the attitude of the believer to the lusts of the flesh. The act of baptism cannot achieve this for him, but in his life he is called upon to be true to what his baptism stands for. Israel was completely separated from their previous manner of life in Egypt which speaks of the world. In figure they died. They so accounted themselves as they saw the advancing hosts of Pharaoh. In figure they were buried in the Red Sea, then reached the other side a resurrected and happy people. They were baptized "into" (R.V.M.) Moses. He became at that time their God-appointed leader. Believers today are baptized into Christ (Romans 6.3; Galatians 3.27). This should not be confused with baptism in the Spirit into the Body (1 Corinthians 12.13). This baptism gives us "in Christ" a place which is eternal. Even death cannot interfere with this wonderful union. In death believers are still "in Christ". They are described as "the dead in Christ" (1 Thessalonians 4.16). The meaning of the phrase "baptized into Christ"; is that Christ becomes our leader when we submit to baptism in water. We follow the way He went. This is God's way for us, the way of Christ's footsteps.

"Thy way was in the sea,

And Thy paths in the great waters,

And Thy footsteps were not known"

(Psalm 77.19).

Only those who follow Him and do as He says have the right to call Him "Lord" (Luke 6.46). In view of the coming judgement-seat it is a very serious thing to treat lightly the teaching of Scripture regarding this important matter.

A careful reading of the Acts of the Apostles will show that the ordinance of baptism was faithfully observed by the early churches. Its practice was essential to the carrying out of the Lord's teaching, and its doctrine vital to individual and collective testimony and service. We briefly refer to some of the recorded instances of baptism being observed. On the day of Pentecost when the Gospel was preached by Peter about three thousand souls were saved and all were baptized (Acts 2.41). The reaction of the Samaritans who listened to Philip preaching the Christ was that they were baptized both men and women (Acts 8.12). Following his remarkable conversion Saul of Tarsus was baptized (Acts 9.18). This was also true of Cornelius and his household (Acts 10.48), of Lydia (Acts 16.15) and of the Philippian jailor and his household (Acts 16.33), and the Corinthians (Acts 18.8).

If the ordinance of baptism was so carefully carried out by the early churches as the commandment of the risen Lord who has all authority in heaven and on earth, and if, as to its mode they immersed in water, and as to its scope they applied it to all believers, can any claim the right to teach or act differently today?

J. Bowman | Mar 1969
From Egypt To Canaan