Baptism Prophesied
and Fulfilled
Isaiah prophesied that God would come because Judaism failed to rest upon God as their foundation. He would send a "flood-like" event to baptize the evil in His Spirit and in Fire. He would baptize the believers in water and sprinkle the heart to give it a clear understanding.
Jesus said that without being born AGAIN of Water and Spirit or Water and the Word you CANNOT, SHALL NOT enter into His kingdom or rule which is the Ekklesia or Christian synagogue or school of the Bible.
The seven "spirits" of Isaiah 11:1-4 which would rest on the BRANCH are all related to forms of spiritual knowledge. Jesus said "My Words are Spirit and Life." Therefore, you might join a venue for Rock and Roll peddled as "worship" but Jesus Christ WILL NOT be your free-of-charge Teacher until He washes your spirit or mind. Only then do you have access to the seven spirits represented by the Menorah or Candlestick which gave LIGHT to the Holy Place along with the table of bread and the incense altar. Each Christian "priest" must look into the Most Holy Place with their own prayers. Then, you can enter into the Most Holy Place to meet God. Jesus said that the ONLY new PLACE is the human spirit as it gives heed to the Spirit of Truth through the Word. Don't believe the lie that "musical teams" lead you into the presence of God: that makes them claim to be God standing in the Holy Place. Not in the vilest pagan temple could singers and musicians enter into the holy precincts on the penalty of death. Don't follow people making "Christianity" viler than paganism. If you are part of the 5 out of 13,000 congregations then you have become a laughing stock just like the musical idolaters at Mount Sinai which forfeited and continues to forfeit the Covenant of Grace.
People who refute this have a "spirit" which intends to hurt you real bad.
Ths prophesied baptism was not a sign of our own righteousness. Rather, in many Old Testament types baptism is prefigured as a destructive process where God washes away the evil so that what is left is pure.
In order to open the prophesied doors into Christ's spiritual kingdom Jesus gave Peter the Jonah-like task of preaching repentance.
Jesus gave the apostles the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
Peter used those keys on the day of Pentecost to give baptism a fuller meaning than the baptism practiced by John annd others prior to the resurrection of Christ. Baptism is the time and place Christ would cleanse our inward "person" as our "outward" person was washed with water.
Later Peter returned to Isaiah 28 to show that this was prophesied. In his leters Peter defines Jesus as the foundation stone on which the church or kingdom was built. He is also the "capstone" or Head of the spiritual kingdom.
Readings in Isaiah:
It is our participation in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ who, as Spirit, was present in the "resurrection" of the earth out of water, the flood of Noah and crossing the Red Sea with Moses. God cannot accept a people until they are wasked and COVERED. In Christianity that means being baptised INTO Christ:
Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord God, and thou becamest mine. Eze 16:8
Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil. Eze.16:9
Rachac (h7364) raw-khats'; a prim. root; to lave (the whole or a part of a thing): - bathe (self), wash (self).
When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof
- by the spirit of judgment, and
- by the spirit of burning. Isaiah 4:4
Shataph (h7857) shaw-taf'; a prim. root; to gush; by impl. to inundate, cleanse; by anal. to gallop, conquer: - drown, overflow , overwhelm), rinse, run, rush, (throughly) wash (away).
And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. Isa 4:5
Assemblies:
Miqra (h4744) mik-raw'; from 7121; something called out, i. e. a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal: - assembly, calling, convocation, reading.
And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain. Isa 4:6
God predicted the fate of Jerusalem through an oracle:
you saw that the City of David had many breaches in its defenses; you stored up water in the Lower Pool. Isaiah 22:9
You counted the buildings in Jerusalem and tore down houses to strengthen the wall. Isaiah 22:10
You built a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the Old Pool,
but you did not look to the One who made it,
or have regard for the One who planned it long ago. Isaiah 22:11The Lord, the LORD Almighty, called you on that day to weep and to wail, to tear out your hair and put on sackcloth Isaiah 22:12
But see, there is joy and revelry, slaughtering of cattle and killing of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine! "Let us eat and drink," you say, "for tomorrow we die!" Isaiah 22:13
Simchah (h8057) sim-khaw'; from 8056; blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival): - * exceeding (-ly), gladness, joy (-fulness), mirth, pleasure, rejoice (-ing).
Sameach (h8056) saw-may'-akh; from 8055; blithe or gleeful: - (be) glad, joyful, (making) merry ([-hearted], -ly), rejoice (-ing)
Samach (h8055) saw-makh'; a prim. root; prob. to brighten up, i. e. (fig.) be (caus. make) blithe or gleesome: - cheer up, be (make) glad, (have, make) joy (-ful), be (make) merry, (cause to, make to) rejoice, * very.
The LORD Almighty has revealed this in my hearing: "Till your dying day this sin will not be atoned for," says the Lord, the LORD Almighty. Isaiah 22:14
In defining parables, Jesus explained that He did not come to preach so that those who had already repudiated Him would understand.
This is what the Lord, the LORD Almighty, says: "Go, say to this steward, to Shebna, who is in charge of the palace: Isaiah 22:15
What are you doing here and who gave you permission to cut out a grave for yourself here, hewing your grave on the height and chiseling your resting place in the rock? Isaiah 22:16
Beware, the LORD is about to take firm hold of you and hurl you away, O you mighty man. Isaiah 22:17
He will roll you up tightly like a ball and throw you into a large country. There you will die and there your splendid chariots will remain-- you disgrace to your master's house! Isaiah 22:18
I will depose you from your office, and you will be ousted from your position. Isaiah 22: 19
And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim (God of raising) the son of Hilkiah: (Portion of Yah) Isaiah 22:20
And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand:
and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. Isaiah 22: 21
And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. Isaiah 22: 22
And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his fathers house. Isaiah 22: 23
In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the Lord hath spoken it. Isaiah 22: 25
All the glory of his family will hang on him: its offspring and offshoots--all its lesser vessels, from the bowls to all the jars. Isaiah 22:24
In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the Lord hath spoken it. Isaiah 22:25
Isaiah 28
WOE to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine Isaiah 28:1
Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand. Isaiah 28: 2
The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet: Isaiah 28: 3
And the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer; which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up. Isaiah 28: 4
In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people, Isaiah 28: 5
And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate. Isaiah 28: 6
But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. Isaiah 28: 7
For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean. Isaiah 28: 8
Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. Isaiah 28: 9
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: Isaiah 28: 10
Hebrew 'sav lasav sav lasav kav lakav kav lakav' (possibly meaningless sounds; perhaps a mimicking of the prophet's words. Speaking in tongues.)
For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. Isaiah 28:11
To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing:
yet they would not hear. Isaiah 28:12
Therefore, God speaks to them in parables which are like foreign or unknown tongues:
But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little;
that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. Isaiah 28:13
They would be identified when Messiah came to fulfill Isaiah:
Wherefore hear the word of the Lord, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. Isaiah 28:14
Scornful is the Hebrew:
Luwc (h3887) loots; a prim root; prop. to make mouths at, i. e. to scoff; hence (from the effort to pronounce a foreign language) to interpret, or (gen.) intercede: - ambassador, have in derision, interpreter, make a mock, mocker, scornful teacher.
When Paul outlawed any form of "singing" but speaking or preaching the Psalms with the singing and melody in the heart, he warned that when God pours out His wrath it is in the form of people acting like buffoons.
In the next chapter, Isaiah reveals to us those who will hear the tongues because they cannot hear the Word of God because they have no love for it:
Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. Isaiah 29:9
For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers (seers of visions) hath he covered. Isaiah 29:10
And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: Isaiah 29:11
And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. Isaiah 29:12
Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Isaiah 29:13
Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. Isaiah 29:14
Paul quotes this passage to warn the Corinthians about speaking in tongues:
In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people;
and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. 1 Cor 14:21
To the Deaf and Blind: Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not:
To Those with Ears and Eyes: but prophesying (teaching) serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 1 Cor 14: 22
If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 1 Cor 14: 23
Remember that Isaiah had described the "bowing to Baal" form of being drunken without wine. T
When Jesus was asked about His mystery or coded speech:
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? Matthew 13:10
He answered and said unto them,
To Those with Ears and Eyes: Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven,
To the Deaf and Blind: but to them it is not given. Matthew 13:11
To Those with Ears and Eyes: For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance:
To the Deaf and Blind: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Matthew 13:12
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. Matthew 13:13
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: Matthew 13:14
On the day of Pentecost the Apostles began to speak in tongues:
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4
To Those with Ears and Eyes: And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Acts 2:5
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because tActs 2:6 hat every man heard them speak in his own language.
To the Deaf and Blind: Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. Acts 2:13
The binding and loosing on Pentecost and beyond was speaking in tongues as a supernatural sign of unbelief.
For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. Isaiah 28: 11
To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. Isaiah 28: 12
The laded burden Jesus died to remove was "spiritual anxiety created by religious ritual.
But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. Isaiah 28: 13
Baptism is the only time and place where Jesus brings REFRESHING
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; Acts 3:19
Jesus came to give the people rest from the burden laded upon the drunkards by the priests. This burden was (is) "spiritual anxiety created by religious ritual." The rest Jesus gave was to take our ease in a religious sense and worship Him "in spirit and in truth."
Wherefore hear the word of the Lord, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. Isaiah 28: 14
Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement;
- when the overflowing scourge shall pass through,
- it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge,
- and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: Isaiah 28:15
So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;
the one who trusts will never be dismayed. Isaiah 28:16
- Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet:
- and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies,
- and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. Isaiah 28:17
This language is explained by baptism in the New Testament. Baptism washes away the sin and sinner because God said that it would.
In chapter 33 the key would again be defined:
The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness. Isaiah 33:5
- He will be the sure foundation for your times,
- a rich store of salvation
- and wisdom and knowledge;
- the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure Isaiah 33:6
The Keys to the Kingdom, Baptism and the Foundation Stone
A "key" is a device to get into a place. Those who do not have the key cannot get in and indeed have no right to get in. If Christ was going to be God's Arm or Hand and the unique Teacher of mankind it was important that He begin to work with common working people who "heard Him gladly." The key would be something which would repulse the proud but be welcomed by the meek.
In a spiritual or intellectual sense a key is a bit of knowledge by gives us certain power. For instance, one who knows the "keys" about gravity will not jump off tall buildings. One who has the key to gravity can spin around the earth, shoot off into space, whiz around the moon and return to earth without burning up or smashing into bits.
God's Spiritual doors also have authorized keys. Jesus said:
VERILY, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. John 10:1
But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. John 10:2
When Jesus came, the keys had been taken away by the Jewish clergy or priests. They had the "Bible" locked up in the Temple and they dispensed just what they wanted the people to know in order to control them. Therefore, Christ said:
Woe unto you, lawyers for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. Lu.11:52
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. Luke 7:30
These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Jn.9:22
Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him;
but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: Jn.12:42
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. John 12:43
And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. Luke 7:29
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. Luke 7:30
This key to knowledge would show them the way into the kingdom. The keys would offer salvation for a few, but to most it would be God pouring out His wrath upon those who prostituted their relationship with mankind.
Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Luke 13:23
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. Luke 13:24
When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Luke 13:25
Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. Luke 13:26
But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. Luke 13:27
There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. Luke 13:28
To weed out the proud, Jesus choose Peter a lowly fisherman who didn't even wash his hands before he ate. And He changed his name to show that the right to enter the kingdom removes the power from unbelievers and puts one in mortal combat with Satan even as Christ has removed his power.
God gave Simon a new "rock" name. This was:
Kephas (g2786) kay-fas'; of Chald. or. [comp. 3710]; the Rock; Cephas (i.e. Kepha), a surname of Peter: - Cephas.
This word is never used of anything but the surname of Peter. It does not mean the foundation of the church but:
Origizo (g3710) or-gid'-zo; from 3709; to provoke or enrage, i.e. (pass.) become exasperated: - be angry (wroth).
For example, it is used of one who is angry:
And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. Lu.15:2
Jesus gave Peter the privilege of opening the kingdom for the first time as He had promised when He said:
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven:
- and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
- and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 16:19
The Jews had been offered a way to have their sins remitted prior to the day of Pentecost. That was through the baptism performed by John and others:
And all the people that heard him, and the publicans,
- justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. Luke 7:29
- But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God for themselves,
being not baptized of him. Luke 7:30
Jesus told all of the apostles how to bind and loose:
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved
but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:16
On the day of Pentecost the kingdom would come with power and the binding and loosing would begin:
AND he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. Mark 9:1
And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Luke 24:49
The power came upon all of the Apostles and Peter "standing up with the eleven" first used the keys of the kingdom (church) by telling people how to be saved:
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Acts 2:37
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins,
and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38
Those who were baptized were added to the church or kingdom by Christ as they submitted to Him:
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Acts 2:46
Praising God, and having favour with all the people.
And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:47
Later, Philip preached and used the keys to the kingdom:
And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. Ac 8:11
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God,and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Ac.8:12
Paul also had the keys
And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Ac.20:25
All New Covenant Institutions have an Old Testament type. So, how does this event fit with the prophecy of Isaiah?
Peter Himself insisted that Christ was the Stone and called our attention to the prophecy of this whole event.
WHEREFORE laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 1 Peter 2:1
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 1 Peter 2:2
If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 1 Peter 2:3To whom coming, as unto a living stone,
disallowed indeed of men,
but chosen of God, and precious, 1 Peter 2:4
All of the little building stones are neither Peter (Petros) nor Christ (Petra) but they are stones of the kingdom of which Christ is the Head and each individual stone is a holy priest able to offer up spiritual sacrifices:
Ye also, as lively stones (lithos: building stone about the size of a millstone),
are built up a spiritual house,
an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices,
acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5
Jesus is both the foundation and chief corner stone:
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious:
and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 1 Peter 2:6
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; andGod hath chosen the weak things of the world
to confound (make ashamed) the things which are mighty; 1Co.1:27Unto you therefore which believe he is precious:
but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed,
the same is made the head of the corner (capstone), 1 Peter 2:7And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence,
even to them which stumble at the word,
being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 1 Peter 2:8But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 1 Peter 2:9
Peter cycles back to Isaiah to reveal to us the Type of Christ and Baptism.
The prophecy is fulfilled by those who reject the command of Jesus and Peter to be baptized to be protected from the scourge or flood.
Peter confessed that Jesus was the Stone prophesied by Isaiah. The Jews had a covenant with death and therefore:
Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement;
when the overflowing scourge shall pass through,
it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge,
and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: Isaiah 28:15So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;
the one who trusts will never be dismayed. Isaiah 28:16
John showed how this would be done:
And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. Luke 7:29
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God for themselves, being not baptized of him. Luke 7:30
Jesus would establish rules of binding and loosing or standards to be met:
Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet:
and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies,
and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. Isaiah 28:17
Hail is a sign of destruction to those who reject Him:
And the Lord shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones. Is.30:30
For through the voice of the Lord shall the Assyrian be beaten down, which smote with a rod. Isaiah 30:31
And in every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the Lord shall lay upon him, it shall be with tabrets and harps: and in battles of shaking will he fight with it. Isaiah 30:32
For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it. Isaiah 30:33
Don't play music trying to get baptized with fire: God will give it to you!
John shows that the Rock will both destroy and save. Those who did not confess that Jesus is the Rock would be baptized with fire. Those who believed and confessed would be baptized by men in water and by Jesus with His Spirit or with His Word or mental disposition:
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance:
but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear:
he shall baptize you withthe Holy Ghost,
and with fire: Mt.3:11The gift of the Holy Ghost: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38
Is the Gift of a Clear Conscience or a co-perceiving spirit: 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: 1 Pet 3:21
Jesus associated His Spirit and water. When God pours out His Spirit it can be destructive.
The overflowing waters were to cleanse by washing away evil:
Shataph (h7857) shaw-taf'; a prim. root; to gush; by impl. to inundate, cleanse; by anal. to gallop, conquer: - drown, (over-) flow (- whelm), rinse, run, rush, (throughly) wash (away).
An example of this word in purifying an offering to God:
Whatsoever shall touch the flesh thereof shall be holy: and when there is sprinkled of the blood thereof upon any garment,
thou shalt wash that whereon
it was sprinkled in the holy place. Lev 6:27Paul shows that in baptism this type is fulfilled:
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience,
and our bodies washed with pure water. Heb.10:22And Peter:
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the request for a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 1 Pet 3:21
Sheteph (h7858) sheh'-tef; from 7857; a deluge (lit. or fig.): - flood, outrageous, overflowing
But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies. Na.1:8
And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel;
and it was a cloud and darkness to them,
but it gave light by night to these:
so that the one came not near the other all the night. Ex.14:20And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. Ex 14:21
And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. Ex 14:22
And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. Ex 14:27
Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. EX 14:30
In the command of Jesus, baptism is like the flood of waters prophesied by Isaiah:
Baptizo (g907) bap-tid'-zo; from a der. of 911; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the N.T.) of ceremonial ablution, espec. (techn.) of the ordinance of Chr. baptism: - baptist, baptize, wash.
As a result of the baptism of hail or fire a million unbelievers would die in the fires of Jerusalem. As a result of the baptism in water to allow Jesus to wash out the impurities, the Law would be annulled and not one believer died. As a result, when destruction comes to the world it shall be like the plague in Egypt: the death angel will "passover" and we will not be destroyed. However, of others:
And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand;
when the overflowing scourge shall pass through,
then ye shall be trodden down by it. Isa 28:18
Therefore, Isaiah made the prophecy of Jesus the Stone; Jesus fulfilled the prophecy using Peter to open the Kingdom or church by teaching and baptism; and Peter in a latter letter confirmed that this was the truth by quoting Isaiah's prophecy.
This means that Isaiah's use of a word much like "baptism" prophesied that baptism would be Christ's external means while He purified the soul. He also prophesied that the "washing" just quite naturally washes out those who have rejected God as it leaves those who are willing to obey. Only "disbelief" makes one damned and therefore unable to be baptized.
Other Old Testament Types
The Flood as Overflowing Water
The flood, like baptism, overwhelmed the world and purged it of sin and sinners. At the same time, those who "accepted the counsel of God" affirmed or justified God by obeying the command to get into the ark.
And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. Gen 6:17
The flood in Hebrew is:
Mabbuwl (h3999) mab-bool'; from 2986 in the sense of flowing; a deluge: - flood.
Yabal (h2986) yaw-bal'; a prim. root; prop. to flow; causat. to bring (espec. with pomp): - bring (forth), carry, lead (forth).
I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave. Jb.10:19
The flood like the washing of Isaiah 28 and baptism overwhelms and purifies by destroying the "dross" and lifting the "silver" above the waters.
Paul wrote about the two-fold nature of God's use of water:
The giants in mythology are related to the magicians of Assyria or Babylonia.
There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. Genesis 6:4
These men, as agents of Lucifer or Satan, taught mankind all forms of evil ways to try to communicate with the dead much as did Israsel condemned by Amos.
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5
And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. Genesis 6:6
And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. Genesis 6:7
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Gen 6:8
Paul refers to 6:8 by saying that:
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear,
prepared an ark to the saving of his house;
by the which he condemned the world,
and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Heb.11:7
This two-fold damnation - salvation was also in the keys to the kingdom as defined by Jesus in the Great Commission:
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;
but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:16
Those rejecting John's baptism were not condemned because they were not baptized: they were not baptized because they condemned God by rejecting His counsel or warning to them. They did not believe or they would have been baptized.
Those on the Ark were not saved because they did the "work" of getting on the ark: they got on the ark because they justified or approved of God by believing and obeying Him.
The damnation or being "drowned" by the same act designed to save believers became the sole responsibility of the unbeliever.
Peter makes it clear that the Lord both blesses and condemns:
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 1 Peter 3:12
This fits the pattern of the time before the flood. There was total sin in the earth (fruitful place) and God decided to purify the earth with water. The same water that condemned purified that which was left. Therefore, there is no clue that Christ returns to sinners after their death to give them a second chance.
Later, Peter wrote:
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God,
being put to death in the flesh,
but quickened by the Spirit: 1 Peter 3:18By which also he went and preached (as a warning Herald) unto the spirits in prison; 1 Peter 3:19
Peter did not say that Christ as post-resurrection Spirit returned to that day and preached. Nor does it say that He went into some netherworld to give them a second chance. Peter said that it was as Spirit that he had once preached before the flood.
We noted in Hebrews 11:7 that God warned Noah and thereby the same Spirit as Christ preached to them:
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear,
Peter confirmed that it was the Spirit of Christ (there is only One Spirit God) preached in prior times:
Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 1 Peter 1:10
Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 1 Peter 1:11
The ark was a type of Christ and the church. It was in the ark in the water as the means by which sins would be remitted. The unbelievers were quite happy to pay for their own sins because the "means" of escape God offers to mankind never appeals to their self-righteousnes.
When the Spirit of Christ testified it was not post-resurrection but it is the Hebrew testify is:
Promarturomai (h4303) prom-ar-too'-rom-ahee; from 4253 and 3143; to be a witness in advance, i.e. predict: - testify beforehand.
Peter continues in 3:20 to show that the preaching must have been before they totally repudiated the Word and warning of God through Christ the Spirit speaking through Noah.
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 1 Peter 3:20
This forebearance was to give them a chance to repent:
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Ro.2:4
Humanity is divided into two classes: the damned and the saved. If Christ returned to give the drowned sinners a second chance why wouldn't He return and give Noah another shot at disobeying His commands? He didn't because He always
What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known,
endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: Ro 9:22
And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy,
which he had afore prepared unto glory, Ro 9:23Those fitted for God's wrath refused to believe and obey His Word through the prophets. This was so dangerous because it was the Spirit of Christ speaking God's Word. Those who believed and obeyed were prepared by some means for glory.
Peter then shows that destruction and salvation through baptism as the means ordained by Jesus Christ serves the same purpose as the flood and the ark:
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the request for a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 3:21
Becoming Co-Perceivers with the Mind of Christ, the Holy Spirit
Any Bible believer knows the spiritual high of having a "clear conscience" promised only by turning to Christ in baptism. This does not mean "preacher-absolved guilt from sin." Rather, it means to be able to understand the Word when we read it and grasp the 'mystery' which Christ was hidden from the foundation of the world in parables.
I speak the truth in Christ--I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit Rom 9:1
Here, the holy spirit is Paul's spirit made holy or set aside by Christ the Spirit.
As Christ told the other apostles that He would guide them, He also told Paul that the "blinders" of his own spirit would be removed. Conscience means:
Suneidesis ((g4893) soon-i'-day-sis; from a prol. form of 4894; co-perception, i.e. moral consciousness; - conscience.
Suneido (g4894) soon-i'-do; from 4862 and 1492; to see completely; used (like its prim.) only in two past tenses, respectively mean. to understand or become aware, and to be conscious or (clandestinely) informed of: - consider, know, be privy, be ware of.
Mandaeands Sabians Iraq Christians
"Sabian" is a word derived from the Aramaic-Mandic verb "Saba" which means "baptised" or "dyed", "immersed in water". "dMandaeans" is derived from "menda" which means in the mandiac language "knowledge".
Thus, "Mandaean Sabians" means those who are baptised and who know the religion of God.
If we go under water we enter into a real where we can die just as Christ died and was buried. Baptism is the time and place where we are "planted" alongside of Christ's suffering and allow it to do battle with the forces of darkness and the depths. If we are believers we will survive spiritually:
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Romans 6:3
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Romans 6:5
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Romans 6:6
For he that is dead is freed from sin. Romans 6:7
This was what Isaiah prophesied when he used the Hebrew word:
Shataph (h7857) shaw-taf'; a prim. root; to gush; by impl. to inundate, cleanse; by anal. to gallop, conquer: - drown, (over- flow} (- whelm), rinse, run, rush, (throughly) wash (away).
Which is equivalent to baptism:
Baptizo (g907) bap-tid'-zo; from a der. of 911; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet)... wash
The crossing of the Red Sea has Israel leaving Egypt as a type of sin. When they finally obeyed God by walking into what looked like sure death they were saved by putting their trust in Moses and following him.
After they were on the safe side of the waters they could look back and see the horrible destruction of those who would not follow the True God Who had been proven in Egypt by many miracles:
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; 1 Cor 10:1
And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 1 Cor 10:2
Not only were the Israelites NOT saved prior to their typical baptism unto Moses in the Red Sea and the Cloud (Christ) but after their baptism and being saved on the other side, and after their drinking of the Spirit, the ultimate test would be how they would treat God after their salvation:
And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 1 Cor 10:3
And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 1 Cor 10:4
But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 1 Cor 10:5
From Babylonian myths (they would say history) we know exactly how the people prior to the flood and those who survived the flood were inticed into sin.
The pre-flood nature of worship was reconstructed after the flood. This was Egyptian worship and the worship of Israel in the wilderness and as it "matured" into a deadly encounter with God in the period of the Monarchy:
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 1 Cor 10:6
Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 1 Cor 10:7
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