One Lord, one faith, one baptism.
Ephesians 4:5
Let's start in the New Testament and work our way back to the Old Testament to examine archetypes of baptism there.
Water baptism is not just symbolic, a spiritual event takes place. Which is why this_must_be done or you do not belong to Christ.
Please recall the first thing Jesus did before he started his ministry, he went to be baptised by John the baptist.
Sealed
He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. John 3:33
Receiving the testimony, is believing what the Bible tells us about the gospel. And as the many verses below will show, baptism is part of faith in Christ.
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Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left him, and went their way. Matt 22:17
We have the image of Christ once baptized. This is an archetype for being sealed. This story also refers to the verse below about 'putting on Christ'.
Clothed
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Gal 3:27
Some versions read 'clothed with Christ', instead of 'put on Christ'. If we are clothed with Christ that is how we appear to God, Christlike. This only comes through water baptism and must be done or you have no part in Christ.
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And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen. Matt 22:12-14
This story above again shows how you must be 'clothed with Christ'. The 'wedding garment' comes from being water baptized into faith in Christ. Water baptism is part of the foundation of faith. Refer to the Gal 3:27 verse above. If you have not been water baptized, you have not 'put on' Christ. Hence, no 'wedding garment' and you have no part in Christ.
Belief
He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 19:2-5
Above we see Paul asking some new believers about their faith. Again, must be baptized into faith in Christ.
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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
Clearly stated, identify with Christ.
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Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts 2:41
We see how you are not part of the 'family' of God until you are baptized into Faith in Christ.
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And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. Acts 8:36-38
Baptism is not about a public profession of your faith, that would be self-righteousness or self-justification which we know is wrong thinking. In the above verse a eunuch was baptized and the only witness who was a believer was Philip, the one who baptized him. It was not done in front of the church body but in the middle of nowhere on the side of a road. Of course being baptized in church is fine and what's normally done, just make sure your heart is true, that's all. Do you truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the Gospel message? God knows your not perfect, don't hesitate on that. He will guide you if you will only trust Him.
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For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 1 Cor 1:17
This is a greatly misunderstood verse. He is not saying you do not need to be water baptized. Paul says this due to people saying their baptism was better than other peoples baptism by virtue of who baptized them. (read the whole chapter) Furthermore, when Jesus was with them whom did he actually baptise? No one. The reason is made clear by this verse. People are again focused on the wrong thing. So, now that Paul is the leader of Christianity on earth he will not be baptising, he is preaching. Having other saved believers do baptisms.
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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: 1Peter 3:21
This verse tells us why we are baptized. It is to walk in Truth before God. This is another archetype, rising out of the water of baptism we are resurrected into new life with Christ.
The Great Commission
Twice we have Jesus telling the disciples to go and preach the gospel, baptizing those who believe.
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matt 28:16-20
Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Mark 16:14-18
*Jesus own words tell us to be baptized. And multiple places in the bible. Also Jesus was baptized to show us 'The Way'.
Archetypes in the Old Testament
Before I relate these we must establish one of the things that is taking place during baptism. The old life (flesh) is being buried when we go under the water and upon coming out we are rising into new life (Spirit) in Christ.
1. Noah's ark
The old life (the world Noah lived in) was totally sinful according to Gods Word. It had to be destroyed and was by the flood.
Those who were saved (Noah's family) passed through the water, and entered into new life.
We see how the old life was buried in water, those who were saved passed through it safely due to Faith and then entered into new life once the flood was over.
*The ark represents Faith, as Noah had to build a huge boat on dry ground no where near water. How absurd from a human viewpoint and what great faith in God!!!
2. Release from bondage in Egypt
The old life is slavery in Egypt, which Israel was in due to disobedience to God.
The water to be passed through this time is the Red Sea. The Israelite's showed faith in God when He miraculously parted the waters and they safely passed through.
Then they entered into new life on the other shore to inherit the promised land.
In both stories above we see:
-old life being left behind
-passing through water
-entering into new life
This clearly shows how passing through water is needed to enter into new life. That is what the Old Testament is always doing; pointing to Christ and His coming, the Gospel and how it is to take place. These stories prove and show baptism is needed to enter into new life. The old testament is frequently showing us things to come in archetype form, not just baptism.
Faith and works
These verses below from James show part of the essential need for water baptism. The belief, and an act that followed in each case. Water baptism has many facets and one is that it is the first step of obedience in the flesh for any believer in the Gospel of Christ.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:20-26
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This verse below talks about different works, works of self-righteousness. This is directed at the Pharisees and others who create their own doctrines and think they are saved by 'being good'.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph 2:8-9
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Also, we also have the story of Nicodemus:
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. John 3:3-8
He goes on to upbraid Nicodemus on being a 'master of Israel' and not understanding the born again meaning.
Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? John 3:10
Now why would Jesus bring up being a master of Israel?
A master of Israel implies Nicodemus knows Gods Word inside and out. This would only be the OT at this point in time. Yet, there are no baptisms in the OT. However, there are two archetypes I know of in the OT mentioned above and Nicodemus should have recognized them also.
My comments
What is related here is that water baptism must happen. It is part of faith in Christ. Baptism alone, in and of itself, does not save you. Likewise, without repentence you have nothing.
***We are saved by grace through faith, but faith without repentance and water baptism is dead and isn't true faith at all.
Baptism is part of the foundation of faith in Christ. And without a true foundation we know nothing stands. We must stand on The Rock, not shifting sands of self-righteousness and intellectually 'thinking' ourselves to salvation. Houses of worship are filled with 'nice' people who think Jesus is wonderful but don't truly know Him. Faith/salvation demands obedience and action in the form of repentance and water baptism by immersion. Every translation of the original text using the word baptize/baptism in the Bible translates out to submerge/immerse/dip. Trust and obey. Believe and be baptized.
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17
Infant baptism is dubious as the babe is not immersed in water or able to understand and confess. (see below verse) It only serves as a way for parents to say they will raise the child in knowledge of God, the Bible and faith in Christ. The child will need to make their own profession of faith at a later time when they are able and willing. Hopefully they will.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9
Please see the section on Know Jesus to learn more about coming into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.