What did Israel's passing through the Red Sea accomplish for them?
Israel’s passing through the Red Sea moved them from slavery under the Egyptians to freedom as God’s set-apart people. It was a baptism, but not water baptism; they were placed under Moses’ leadership and the Shekinah Glory cloud, identifying them with Moses and his leadership.
Les explains that this event is not a New Testament church. Israel is in the wilderness, fresh out of Egypt, and they undergo a baptism that is not water baptism. In passing through the sea, they go from a lifestyle of slavery under the heavy hand of the Egyptians to absolute freedom set aside as the people of God. This baptism was their placement under Moses’ leadership and under the Shekinah Glory, the cloud that accompanied them. Les stresses that it was called a baptism, so definitions matter; it merely meant they were identified with Moses and his leadership. He contrasts this with another non-water baptism, when Jesus spoke of a baptism He had to accomplish, referring to His death, suffering, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.
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;
See the rest