Kuyperian, Author at Kuyperian Commentary

On June 27, 2014 By Kuyperian In Scribblings Like

Watch It Drop

Guest Post by Joshua Torrey

As many know, I am in the process of listening to the Bible through in the NASB. This will be my fourth time through the Torah in 365 days. I’m starting to feel like David when I say I love God’s law. However, I’m also beginning to see the foolishness of ignoring the Torah in interpreting the Scriptures.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the further the church has gotten from the time of Christ the further we have gotten from His hermeneutic. So likewise we have departed from the hermeneutic of Peter, Paul and John. For them their writing grew out naturally from the Old Testament. They quote it presuming the church’s acceptance and understanding. The obscure and the common are placed before the church in the epistles and gospels.

With each pass through the law I catch something new. My understanding of the NT grows as the paradigm of apostolic interpretation grows finer and clearer. Most specifically that occurred this time around when I heard a particular portion of Deuteronomy,

6 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. – Deuteronomy 6:6 (NASB)

The LXX of this passage is a little clearer when it says ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου; the literal rendering meaning “in your heart.” The LXX even goes so far as to say “and in your soul” (καὶ ἐν τῇ ψυχῇ σου). Far from making the commandments of God an external and fleshly thing, this verse is a promise from God that His commandments are a spiritual thing; spiritual things that He places in our hearts because of His covenant. It is on the basis of His covenantal relationship and commandments that these “words” are secured upon our hearts.

Now for some this exposition still does not make this passage stand out. Others might begin to see some similarities with other Scriptural passages that speak about the law being on hearts.

In debate on the new covenant, Jeremiah 31 has quite possibly been the most important passage. This is unfair since texts like Isaiah 59:21 make very clear statements concerning the spiritual nature of the covenant and the inclusion of offspring (infants). To add to the unfortunate nature of this passage’s importance, individuals on all sides have often dipped into the well of modern individualistic interpretations. This has proven disastrous with respect to interpretations of “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it” (Jer 31:33). Many, ignoring the obvious spiritual background of Deuteronomy 6:6, have presumed that this is uniquely spiritual. This presumption has benefited the individualistic interpretation and provided significant groundwork for a Baptistic perspective of the new covenant.

But is this passage truly unique given what we’ve just read in the giving of God’s law? The book of Deuteronomy is ultimately concerned with the hearts of God’s people. God’s law has always been concerned with our hearts. God desires for His people to have a heart that follows Him (Deut 5:29). God has been focused on the circumcision of hearts in the giving of His law (Deut 10:12-16). In fact, He even promises it within the context of His law (Deut 30:6). It is only within this context that God’s law can be considered “not too difficult” (Deut 30:11 NASB). These promises associated with God’s law are not novel to the New Testament or the new covenant, neither is the writing of the law upon the hearts of God’s people.

So what do we learn? When God sends down His Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2), He sent His Spirit upon the hearts of His Covenant people. The promise of Isaiah 59:21 was fulfilled. The promise Jeremiah 31 was fulfilled. The typology of Deuteronomy 6 was fulfilled,

21 “As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from now and forever.” – Isiah 59:12 (NASB)

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On June 23, 2014 By Kuyperian In Scribblings Like

Sudanese woman on death row for apostasy had her sentence canceled

AP reports and we rejoice over the release of Meriam Ibrahim:

A Sudanese woman on death row for apostasy had her sentence canceled and was ordered released by a Khartoum court on Monday, the country’s official news agency reported.

SUNA said the Court of Cassation canceled the death sentence against 27-year-old Meriam Ibrahim after defense lawyers presented their case. The court ordered her release.

Ibrahim, whose father was Muslim but who was raised by her Christian mother, was convicted of apostasy for marrying a Christian. Sudan’s penal code criminalizes the conversion of Muslims to other religions, a crime punishable by death.

Ibrahim married a Christian man from southern Sudan in a church ceremony in 2011. As in many Muslim nations, Muslim women in Sudan are prohibited from marrying non-Muslims, though Muslim men can marry outside their faith.

Ibrahim has a son, 18-month-old Martin, who was living with her in jail, where she gave birth to a second child last month, local media reported. By law, children must follow their father’s religion.

{read the rest}

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On June 19, 2014 By Kuyperian In Scribblings Like

Breaking: PCUSA Votes to Allow Clergy to Marry Same-Sex Couples

The PCUSA, in a continual move to reject the authority of the Word of God, has approved the redefining of marriage.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s highest governing body voted Thursday to allow ministers to perform same-sex marriages.

Presbyterian clergy can now marry gay and lesbian couples wherever same-sex marriage is legal….The same-sex marriage votes come three years after the PCUSA voted to allow the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy.

Read the rest…

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On June 17, 2014 By Kuyperian In Scribblings Like

A few thoughts on the first round of World Cup 2014

Round one finished this evening with a tie between the South Koreans and the Russians. This means that every country has had its debut in the most spectacular soccer tournament in the world. What follows is a brief summary of the 5 best soccer nations in the World in my estimation and then the surprise of this first round:

Since I am Brazilian, and since we are hosting the World Cup for the first time since that disastrous 1950 final at Maracana, it is helpful to start with Brazil. Brazil has now played two games, since they inaugurated Round 2 this afternoon in Fortaleza. Brazil’s chances, in my estimation, of making it past the first three rounds is 90%. Only a solid victory from Cameroon and a combination of results will take Brazil away from making it to the top 16. Led by Brazil’s superstar, Neymar Jr., Brazil carries the hopes of over 200K fanatic Brazilians into this World Cup. The expectations are high and despite a less than impressive start–thanks for the penalty–Brazil’s draw with Mexico today showed a more efficient Brazilian squad. Marcelo and Fred: Wake up!

Germany made Cristiano Ronaldo’s worst nightmares come true. The camera’s love affair with Ronaldo showed a despondent best player in the world. Pepe’s red card–a combination of stupidity and lack of self-control–made Portugal the perfect candidate to experience defeat by the German powerhouse. And what a whipping they received! Led by Thomas Mueller (3 goals), the Germans could have scored at least a couple more. German’s chances of making it to the round of 16 is 100%. After losing the final to Brazil in 2002, the Germans come with revenge in mind, and they got the team to do it.

Let’s be honest: Ángel di María and Lionel Messi are superstars. Something spectacular happens every time these two touch the ball. Argentina’s 2 x 1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina was not the show we expected from Messi and company, but speaking of Messi, what a brilliant goal. Argentina now plays Iran and Nigeria. No surprises will come from these matches. Argentina will undoubtedly make it to the round of 16.

Holland (Netherlands) came to the 2014 World Cup with a bitter taste after losing their third chance to win a World Cup in 2010. On that occasion, Iniesta scored the winning goal for Spain. The Spaniards came to Brazil as World Champions. But after re-engaging Van Persie and Robben this past Friday in what to this point is Spain’s greatest soccer humiliation since the 1950 World Cup when they lost to Brazil 6 x 1, Spain’s new slogan is: humility. With an inspired Chilean team, Spain’s chances of making it to the round of 16 is about 40%. As for the Dutch, they will certainly continue to round of 16.

What about the surprise of this first round? You guessed it! Despite Ghana’s overwhelming control of the game, the U.S. revealed what they do best: persevere. With a fascinating header at the end of the game, John Brooks gave hope to Klinsmann’s squad in the hot afternoon in Natal. I think Portugal is still favored to take that second spot, but U.S.’s determination may send Ronaldo’s team back home much earlier than they expected.<>allsocialgames.net

On June 14, 2014 By Kuyperian In Scribblings Like

The Most Entertaining Jerk in Soccer

Slate describes the most entertaining jerk in modern soccer. He is known for scoring goals, biting opponents (plural), racism, using his hands, and diving. According to Slate:

Why he might be a jerk: So many reasons. In the video at the top of the page, we’ve put together a lowlight reel of some of Suarez’s most hilariously egregious offenses. In the 2010 World Cup, he famously earned a red card by punching the ball off the line to prevent fan favorites Ghana from scoring a game-winning goal in their quarterfinal match. After Asamoah Gyan tragically rammed the ensuing penalty off of the crossbar, Suarez—who had been sent off for the violation—could be seen punching his fists in the air like a criminal who was caught robbing a bank and then told he could keep the money.

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On June 14, 2014 By Kuyperian In Theology Like

A Brief Introduction to the Athanasian Creed

The Athanasian Creed is known for its very thorough Trinitarian statement. But the Creed also contains a high Christology. “The Athanasian Creed is usually divided into two sections: lines 1–28 addressing the doctrine of the Trinity, and lines 29–44 addressing the doctrine of Christology.” ^a The Creed was early attributed to St. Athanasius, but that attribution has since the 17th century been disputed. It is widely accepted now that Athanasius did not pen the Creed, though the Creed reflects much of Athanasius’ Nicene theology.

The Creed begins with these perilous words:

Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith. Which faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled; without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.

This harsh expectation for salvation implies, according to Philip Schaff, a precise knowledge of doctrine in order to be saved. Schaff was critical of this language and there have been others who have shared this criticism. For instance, here is a short description from the Creed:

The Father unlimited; the Son unlimited; and the Holy Ghost unlimited. The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal.

This, according to some historians, would place too great a demand on the laity. Some have seen this to be a strict demand that cannot be met, except for those grounded in historical Christianity. Indeed there is some truth to this skepticism. A modern look at our landscape would conclude that not only do evangelicals speak very little about the Trinity from the pulpit, but have little knowledge that such a Creed even exists.

My own reading of the Athanasian Creed and its history is more in line with Greg Uttinger who stated:

The Creed, of course, does not require every Christian to fully understand the complexities and implications of Trinitarian orthodoxy. Yes, an ignorant believer may speak in, say, Sabellian terms because he has not been taught better. He may in his ignorance compare the Trinity to an egg or a tree. The Creed is not addressing such ignorance; it is addressing outright rejection of the truth by those who have every reason to know better. ^b

As Trinity Sunday approaches, let us not be those who speak in ignorance, but those who confess this Creed and live out this Trinitarian faith.<>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athanasian_Creed (back)
http://chalcedon.edu/research/articles/the-theology-of-the-ancient-creeds-part-4-the-athanasian-creed/ (back)

On June 13, 2014 By Kuyperian In Culture, Family and Children Like

I’ve Stopped Yelling. Can I Stop Scowling?

by Marc Hays

Over a year ago, I stopped yelling at my children. The urge to vent my displeasure became increasingly distasteful until I could hear myself snap at them just before I did it. Whatever the child had done, whatever infraction had occurred, ceased to kindle my ire like the thought of hearing myself lash out at them. Accompanying this conviction, my sin decreased. Go figure. It is encouraging to no end for a man to see that the deeds of his flesh can be mortified as Scripture says they must and for a man, alive in Christ, to experience the Holy Spirit at work, bearing good fruit on formerly dead limbs.

As my desire to shout the fear of God into my children waned, I found an increasing zeal to see my children flourish. Replacing the idle threats about their doom, should they fail to mend their ways, was an increase in instruction concerning righteousness and sin; wisdom and foolishness; repentance and forgiveness. I yell less, if at all, which is good, and instruct more, which is better still, but as with most virtues, too much of a good thing is no longer a good thing.

I’ve found that my new virtue has become my new vice, for at some point a father’s instruction becomes a father’s lecture, which at yet another point becomes a father’s tongue-lashing. I am quick with my mouth and hasty in my heart, therefore my words can in no way be described as “few.” Quick with my mouth—speaking before thinking, and hasty in my heart—not patient enough to raise them over a lifetime, wanting to accomplish it all at once. As I lecture, and lecture, and lecture some more, I can see that they go from being instructed, to being irritated, to being bored—anxious to get back to the life that comes at the end of my soliloquy.

If my verbal instruction merely waxed long, there would be less of a problem than there actually is, because along with this extended scolding comes an explicit scowling. My voice is calmer than it once was; I’ve learned to keep the decibels down, which prevents the veins in my neck from popping out as far, but I know that my face tells the story of a dad who is not remembering his own sin at that moment, a dad who is not treating his children the way he wants to be treated, a dad who is not loving his neighbor as himself.

If Jesus is King over every square inch of creation, which He is, then wouldn’t that include every square inch of my face as well? Can I be serious about sin without scowling about it? Can I handle my children’s sin biblically without acting like they’re the first ones to ever do it? Does it help for me to act like I’m surprised that they don’t do everything right all the time, or that they committed this particular household crime again?

Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not behave itself unseemly. It is not rude.

God is patient. God is kind. He does not behave himself unseemly. He is not rude.

When it comes to raising our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, are we patient? Are we kind? In disciplining our children, do we behave ourselves in a way that would be embarrassing for anyone else to see? That would be unseemly. Even if we’ve stopped yelling, do we berate them with our words? That would be rude.

Children are to respect and obey their parents; parents are to respect and disciple their children. To put it technically, the economic relationship is different, but the ontological relationship is the same. Parents must correct; parents must instruct. Children must take heed; children must amend their ways. This economic reality is one of complementary difference, but ontologically—in our being—we are exactly the same as our children. We are no more image-bearers of the triune God than they are. We are exactly the same in our being—identical.

It is this identity that makes the whole parenting thing work. Can a wolf raise a Mowgli? Probably. Can a wolf identify with a Mowgli? Barely. Can we identify with our children’s struggles and temptations? Yes, indeed. Can we long for their sanctification as we long for our own? Definitely. Can we stop lecturing long enough to think about how we would like to be treated? Can we remember how it feels to be scolded so that we keep our scolding at a minimum and our patient, kind instruction at a maximum? In Christ, empowered by His Holy Spirit, we can, and we must.

Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not behave itself unseemly. It is not rude.<>

On June 11, 2014 By Kuyperian In Theology Like

Pneumatology in Baptism, Part IV, The Red Sea

Guest Post by Joshua Torrey

Read Part I & II, III

The Exodus Baptism

Fast forward now to the baptism of the Israelite people in the Red Sea. Moses has defeated one Pharaoh by being saved through water (baptism). But the Lord is after His entire people. The story of God conquering Pharaoh and Egypt’s gods are well known but the focus for this section is the time period after Pharaoh’s defeat at the Passover. After this incredible event, the Lord took the people of Israel up against the waters of the Red Sea. This happens to be more than the people of Israel can handle. All these people can tell Pharaoh is on the verge of overtaking them. A return to slavery seems eminent. What will God provide to demonstrate that this won’t happen? A baptism. A baptismal union consisting of water and Spirit,

21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. – Exodus 14:21-22

Once again the Hebrew Scriptures invoke water and the Spirit together. And again the symbol is found most clearly in the Hebrew language, “the Lord drove the seas back by a strong east spirit.” The Holy Spirit is once again about His work parting the waters and providing deliverance from sinful oppression. He is making the dry land appear to make a path for new creation! The Biblical story is not new but certainly perpetually epic.

After a long night of the Spirit’s work, land appears from underneath the waters. God’s new and ransomed people have a deliverance to walk upon. From every possible direction this seems like a water and Spirit baptism. The correlation to creation is evident; the similarity to the Noah’s flood is obvious. The only remaining question is how accurate of correlation is the portrayal of the Holy Spirit.

It is here that the events shortly after the Red Sea are helpful. For the people of Israel their songs can often reveal great theological moments. And after this baptism Moses and the people sing an important song. A song that confirms the interpretation of this text and validates the incredible work of the Holy Spirit,

8 At the blast (literally “spirit”) of your nostrils the waters piled up;
the floods stood up in a heap;
the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea.
9 The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them.
I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.’
10 You blew with your wind (literally “spirit”); the sea covered them;
they sank like lead in the mighty waters. – Exodus 15:8-10

Without question the Spirit of God is responsible for the waters parting in baptism for the people. It is the water of deliverance and salvation (Psa 18:15). Destruction will not overtake the people of Israel and Israel’s enemies are destroyed by the very same baptismal waters. This is because water and the Spirit are administered in baptism. It was the Spirit responsible for the waters closing around the people of Egypt in judgment. It is the Holy Spirit’s necessary involvement that invokes both blessing and curse. And this is true also in Christian baptism. All of this symbolism continues the line of Old Testament thinking. The baptismal waters of Noah brought both salvation and destruction. The waters of death were for salvation with Moses. And they do so again here with the people of Israel and Egypt. It then is no wonder that this event is picked up by Paul in the New Testament as a warning,

1 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. – 1 Corinthians 10:1-5

Blessing and curse. Paul presents both quite clearly in this passage to the church at Corinth. Within the epistle’s context it is clear that this passage is intended as a warning to the church. Baptism is not solely for salvation and this is because of the involvement of the Holy Spirit. For the unfaithful these activities are warnings and judgments. Mere water cannot be responsible for that.

Even more, what is most telling is the language used. The baptism of Moses is a type of Christ’s baptism. In fact Paul uses to the very same language for both of them. In Corinthians Paul speaks of being “baptized into Moses” (1 Cor 10:2). In Romans Paul uses similar language when saying that the church is “baptized into Christ” (Rom 6:3). Baptism into Moses is a type of baptism into Christ. This fits the motif of Moses being baptized before Israel and Jesus Christ being baptized before the church. But baptisms deliver from death. Both bring curse and blessing. And in both cases is a baptism of both water and Spirit. Neither one nor the other explains the fullness of Paul’s teaching. It must be both water and Spirit.<>технологии pr

On June 10, 2014 By Kuyperian In Politics Like

What Racism, Human Trafficking, and Abortion All Have in Common

Guest Post by Michael Graham

Racism, human trafficking, and abortion all share a common source to their evil – the fundamental denial of human dignity – more specifically the creator endowed dignity of being made in the image of God. This is unilaterally accomplished by carving out groups of people (by ethnicity, gender, vulnerability, or age) who are classified as sub-human and therefore not treated as equal human beings.

Racism
Racism denies the image of God in a particular ethnicity, people group, or tribal affiliation. It seeks to make the persons of such groups or affiliations lesser than your group or affiliation. In doing so it assails the inherent worth endowed by God. There are several idols at work in racism – power, control, pride, and ironically likely both self-love and self-hatred.

Human Trafficking
Human trafficking denies the image of God in humanity by treating certain humans as not being human at all, but rather property. All sense of dignity and worth must be deconstructed in order to justify the human as property. There are several idols at work in human trafficking, most notably, greed, power, control, and lust.

Abortion
Abortion denies the image of God in those of a certain size, age, gestation, or relative level of “wantedness.” The human is made to be sub-human because it is small, young, not yet viable, and has not travelled the magical 6″ journey down the birth canal that suddenly and mysteriously imbues it with life, human rights, and legal status. Their are several idols at work here, most notably, lust, selfishness, comfort, and escape.

While perhaps difficult to personally engage heavily on all three fronts, I find it ironic that my own age demographic seem inclined to care about the first 2 of these 3 and not the third. I don’t know if this is for reasons of ignorance, idolatry, apathy, or all of the above. It will be interesting how history plays itself out on this particular issue… but I am willing to wager that our grand children will think of abortion with a similar disdain that our generation holds toward the Holocaust.

The Banality of Evil and Our Cultural Morass

I hope we would see ourselves as being more dignified than to cut up our children for the pursuit of the ideal body, the next ladder rung of the career, or the perfect orgasm. I hope we would see ourselves as being more dignified than to allow persons to be treated as property for sex or for unpaid work for the pursuit of cheaper goods, uncommitted and intimacy-less sex (rape). I hope we would see ourselves as being more dignified than to allow other ethnicities to be treated as less worthwhile, less valuable, and sub-human for the pursuit of feeling good about one’s own tribe at the expense of another tribe.

There is a certain banality to evil that lulls us into going along and getting along. It was the same banality that anesthetized the very bright German people into the wholesale slaughter of persons categorized as sub-human.

What we want is what we worship and what we worship controls us. This is true if we are pagans, atheists, agnostics, or Christians. We are all slaves to our wants. Those wants drive our ideas… And ideas have consequences… Often dire ones.

What the heart loves, the will chooses, the mind justifies – Thomas Cranmer

Michael blogs at Modern Pensées.<>

On June 9, 2014 By Kuyperian In Theology Like

Pneumatology in Baptism, Part III, The Baptism of Moses

by Guest Writer, Joshua Torrey

Read Part I & II

The Baptism of Moses

After addressing the clear union of water and Spirit in the story of Noah and Peter’s teaching, some might conclude that the matter of baptism is settled. But there are more Old Testament references to be incorporated to validate and expand the doctrine of this interpretation. Through the seed of deliverance in Noah came the great Patriarch Abraham and the Scriptures tell us that through Abraham God began to build a people to provide a Savior and Blessing, found in Jesus Christ, for the entire world. The remainder of the Old Testament is filled with “how to recognize Him when He gets here” type of material.

One of these important Old Testament reminders and pointers to Christ comes with the story of Moses. He like Noah is a savior. But this time he saves all of Abraham’s family (seed) from the land of Egypt. The early portions of the book of Exodus set the stage for this salvation of Israel,

8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. – Exodus 1:8

23 During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. 24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 God saw the people of Israel—and God knew. – Exodus 2:23-25

The contrast between these two passages is important. Pharaoh’s lack of knowledge led to persecution and trials for Abraham’s seed. This Pharaoh ceased to “know” the blessings of God through the faithful deliverance of Joseph (a subject matter all its own). As a result the people of Israel were forced into slavery and their lives were made miserable. Despite Pharaoh’s rejection God chose to bless Israel. Pharaoh responded by taking things to the highest level: He attempts to kill the covenant children of Israel (Exo 1:15-22). The importance of this event and its relationship with children will be fully developed later but this event does cast a looming shadow on the tenth and final plagues sent by God. For now it is against this death of Israelite children that the great arm of the Lord is revealed and He does this through “knowing” His people. As seen with Noah, this means that God is acting in favor and mercy towards His covenant people. And so through the faithfulness of two Levites (Exo 2:1) God brought forth a deliverer. And once again He used an ark (H8293),

2 The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months. 3 When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank. – Exodus 2:3

Before addressing the reintroduction of God’s saving basket/ark, it is interesting to note that Moses upon birth is declared “good” (H2896). This is the reason given in the Scriptures for the saving of Moses and it is an element of the story that gets repeated in the New Testament (Acts 7:20; Heb 11:23). Since good is rarely used in the Hebrew concerning people (Genesis 24:1; 26:7; 1 Sam 9:2; 16:12 among the exceptions) the description surely stands out. In two cases it is associated with women found at wells (Gen 24:1; 26:7) and in two others it is the kings of Israel (1 Sam 9:2; 16:12). In every case the individual is clearly being marked out to bring deliverance (the kings) or new life (the Godly wives of the patriarchs) to God’s promised seed. Moses stands in this tradition and the Scriptures mark him out. And it is this marker that explains the actions of his mother.

The English translation hides the symbolism of the Hebrew word tebah (H8293). Moses’ mother truly built “an ark made of bulrushes” to deliver her son. The parallels to Noah are fairly obvious. Pharaoh has declared that all Hebrews shall be “cast into the Nile” (Exo 1:22) to die by water. Moses too is cast into the waters that are meant for death but the Lord delivers him through an ark. This is done not only for the deliverance of Moses but to bring salvation to the people of Israel. One can speculate if Paul’s concept of being “buried with him [Christ Jesus] by baptism into death” (Rom 6:4) is influenced by this out-of-death typology for baptism.

The very name Moses means “to be drawn out.” It stems from a Hebrew verb used only in David’s baptism/deliverance from Saul (2 Sam 22:16-20; Psa 18:15-19). In Moses’ example, God brings forth “new land” from the waters of death. Moses’ rise up out of the water once again reminds us of the baptism of Jesus Christ (Matt 3:16; Mark 1:9). Through baptism, Moses is now capable of saving His people and providing new life. Even more graphically, the ark carrying Moses is delivered from “the reeds” (Exo 2:3). This is the same Hebrew word to describe the baptism of Israel and the conquest of Pharaoh (Exo 15:4). Moses is lifted up from the very death that consumes the armies of Pharaoh (we’ll see more of this is the next section).

The Holy Spirit has no direct link to this story and the symbolism found in Noah is obvious. Sinfulness and death abounds. God has once again “remembered” His covenant people and had godly people build an ark. God has used this ark to perform a baptism of deliverance and instituted a man to deliver His people. As Moses is tightly linked to Noah so also he is to Jesus Christ. In fact the example of Moses brings into focus the particulars concerning Jesus’ baptism under John. Moses, like Christ, was baptized before His ministry began and both spent a full time (40 years/40 days) in the wilderness. Jesus Himself was saved from the arm of an evil king (Matt 2:13-15). He was even delivered to and from Egypt like Moses.

But how does this apply to the baptism practiced by the church? As already seen, Moses’ baptism prepares him to lead Israel through one large baptism to save all of the people. This story points forward to Jesus Christ and the church. Jesus would participate in a baptism in order to start a ministry that would lead to a baptism for God’s people. He would be baptized in John’s “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3) and then send His disciples out proclaiming “repentance and forgiveness of sins” (Luke 24:47). We know that Christ’s baptism was water and Spirit. Now it is to be seen how Moses’ baptism in the Red Sea is also a union of water and baptism.<>