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| The deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage illustrates how we pass from under sin's dominion to that of Christ. They had heard Moses, believed him, and changed their minds (repented) and followed him to the banks of the Red Sea; so we hear, believe, and repent. But though the Israelites had believed and followed Moses, they remained under Pharaoh's dominion so long as they remained on the Egyptian side of the Red Sea. If a modern Baptist preacher had been leading them instead of Moses, he would have said, "Now, you folks don't have to cross over this Red Sea. You've already believed, so you're safe from Pharaoh's army. Just sit down here on the banks of the sea because there's no way you can be harmed. Being baptized in the cloud and the sea isn't necessary." But their deliverance was not complete until they had passed through the sea and were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and the sea (1 Cor. 10:1-2). Those waters separated them from their old life of slavery and placed them under Moses' leadership, free from Pharaoh's reign. So it is with us. Paul said God "hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son" (Col. 1:13). So long as we believe and repent, but remain unbaptized, we are under Satan's power and citizens of the kingdom of darkness. Peter said, "...baptism doth also now save us..." (1 Pet. 3:21). |