No, baptism in 1 Corinthians 10:2 is not water baptism.
Les Feldick clarifies that Israel crossed the Red Sea on dry ground, so they were not immersed in water. Instead, the term 'baptized' signifies being totally engulfed or identified with Moses' leadership and the protective cloud. It marks their corporate identification with Moses as their leader after the Exodus.
1 Corinthians 10:2 — This verse contains the phrase 'baptized unto Moses' and is the central passage under discussion.
The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:1-2, '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; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.' This refers to the Exodus from Egypt as recorded in the Old Testament. The context indicates that the 'baptism' here is associated with Israel's deliverance and their following of Moses.
Les Feldick emphasizes that this baptism has nothing to do with water. He points out that Israel crossed the Red Sea on dry land, so they were not immersed in water. Instead, the Greek word for baptism indicates being 'totally engulfed' or 'inundated.' In this context, Israel was engulfed in Moses' leadership and in the protective cloud. This is a corporate identification with Moses, not a water rite.
Israel was baptized unto Moses in the sense of being totally engulfed in his leadership. As Les Feldick explains, the nation was completely under Moses' authority and guidance as they left Egypt. This baptism signified their corporate identification with him and with God's deliverance through him.
Les Feldick explains that the Greek word 'baptizo' means to be 'totally engulfed' or 'inundated.' In classic Greek literature, it was used to describe ships being sunk at sea. It does not always refer to water baptism; in this context, it refers to being engulfed in the cloud and in Moses' leadership.
Introduction to 1 Corinthians 10
Les begins teaching on 1 Corinthians 10, setting the context for the passage about Israel's fathers under the cloud and passing through the sea.
Baptism Means Engulfed
Les explains that the Greek word for baptism means to be 'engulfed' or 'inundated,' citing its use for ships sunk at sea, and notes Israel's crossing was on dry land.
Not Water Baptism
Les directly states that this baptism is not water baptism in any way, but rather indicates a placing or identification.
Engulfed in Leadership and Cloud
Les further clarifies that they were engulfed in Moses' leadership and the cloud's protection, emphasizing that baptism in Scripture doesn't always mean water.
Greek Word Engulfed
Les reiterates that the Greek word baptizo implies being totally engulfed, and applies it to Israel's experience with Moses.
Water Baptism vs. Spirit Baptism: What Places You in the Body of Christ?
Therefore, we are buried with Him by baptism into death. Now, I may have a lot of people flap at this, but I am convinced in my own mind that this is not a water baptism, because water baptism cannot do what Paul is talking about. And that is that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of Father, even so we also walk in newness of life. Now, no baptism can give new life.
Water Baptism vs. Spirit Baptism: What Places You in the Body of Christ?
But here in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 is what I consider the only valid baptism for us in this age of grace. And it's a baptism that human hands cannot touch. It's a baptism that a lost person can have no part in, as over in water baptism we can never be sure as to a person's salvation.
What Happens After Christ's 1,000-Year Reign? 1 Corinthians 15:28
All right, now again, I do not feel we're talking about water baptism, and I know there are groups that baptize by proxy, I suppose on the base of this verse, but what the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul is really telling us is, why would God do anything on behalf of the believer if there is no resurrection from the dead? Now we'll be covering that more in detail in our next half hour, but yo…
1 Corinthians 10:1: 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;
Sets the stage for the baptism reference, describing Israel's experience under the cloud and through the Red Sea.
1 Corinthians 10:2: And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
The key verse defining the baptism as unto Moses, not water.
No. According to Les Feldick, it was not water baptism because Israel crossed the Red Sea on dry ground. It was a baptism of identification with Moses and the cloud.
It means they were totally engulfed, or identified, with Moses' leadership. They were under his authority and guidance as they came out of Egypt.
Watch the Teaching: What "Baptized Unto Moses" Really Means — 1 Corinthians 10 Explained