Why does Paul go back to Exodus in 1 Corinthians 10?
Paul goes back to Exodus to add a lesson for the Church, teaching how all Scripture ties together. He points to Israel’s fathers under the cloud and passing through the Red Sea as a baptism unto Moses, showing the Old Testament experience connects intrinsically with New Testament truth, not water baptism.
Les explains that Paul goes back to Exodus to add a lesson for the Church, because the whole purpose of Paul’s letters is to teach us, not just simple things, but how all the Scriptures tie themselves together. Paul points to Israel’s fathers who were under the cloud, passed through the Red Sea, and were baptized unto Moses. Les notes that people think “baptized” means water, but Israel walked through on dry ground. The baptism connects to the called-out assembly, the Ecclesia, called the Church in the wilderness, yet Israel was not baptized to become members of that Ecclesia. Les also points to Acts chapter 7 and Stephen’s sermon, which traces Jewish history from Abraham and the forefathers who came out of Egypt under Moses.
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;