In the context of Jesus' suffering, baptism signifies being totally engulfed and identified with His death, burial, and resurrection—not a water ritual.
The Greek word baptizo means to be engulfed or inundated, as Les Feldick explains. Paul says believers are 'baptized into his death' (Romans 6:3), meaning the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Christ are the reality into which baptism places someone. This is far beyond what water baptism can accomplish—it is being swallowed up in the suffering and resurrection work of Jesus.
Romans 6:3-4 — Paul directly connects baptism with Jesus' death and burial, showing that baptism in the context of Jesus' suffering means being placed into His death.
Paul writes in Romans 6:3–4: "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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." Here baptism is linked to the death and burial of Christ, not to a water ceremony. In 1 Corinthians 12:13, Paul says, "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body." And in 1 Corinthians 10:2, he applies the same word to Israel: "And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea." These verses show that the biblical use of baptism involves identification with a person or event—especially a death-like event—rather than only dipping in water.
Les Feldick emphasizes that the word baptism does not automatically mean water. In classic Greek, baptizo was used for a ship being totally engulfed at sea (Clips 2, 5). He applies this meaning to Romans 6 and 1 Corinthians 12: believers are engulfed by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ and therefore into His death, burial, and resurrection (Clip 3). He says this goes far beyond anything water baptism can do (Clip 4). Les also uses Israel's Red Sea crossing as a physical example of non-water baptism: Israel was baptized unto Moses and the cloud on dry ground, completely placed under Moses' leadership and the protection of the cloud (Clips 2, 5). In the same way, the baptism connected with Jesus' suffering is the full reality of His crucifixion, burial, and resurrection—the gospel itself (Clip 3).
Les Feldick teaches that the Greek word baptizo means "totally engulfed" or "inundated." The Greek poets used the word for ships sunk at sea—they were baptizoed, completely engulfed. So when the New Testament speaks of baptism, it can mean being completely swallowed up by something, not merely dipped in water.
Paul asks, "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" (Romans 6:3). Les explains that the Holy Spirit places us into the body of Christ, and that places us into His death, burial, and resurrection. He says this is the gospel: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. Believers experience this by faith—as He died, we died; as He was buried, we were buried; as He arose, we arise in newness of life.
Paul says Israel was "baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea" (1 Corinthians 10:2). Les observes that Israel crossed on dry land—no water involved. That baptism meant the nation was totally engulfed in Moses' leadership and placed under the cloud. It identified Israel with Moses just as New Testament baptism identifies believers with Christ.
Jesus had no sin to repent of, so His water baptism was not for repentance. Les teaches that Jesus came to fulfill the symbolic washing of the priesthood and to identify Himself with His covenant people, Israel. This was a water baptism, but the baptism that matters for salvation is the one that places a person into Christ's death.
Les Feldick teaches that water baptism has no cleansing effect today—it is the Word that cleanses. Water baptism may identify a person with a church or denomination, but it cannot put anyone into Christ's death. Being baptized into Jesus' suffering and death is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, not a water ceremony.
What "Baptized Unto Moses" Really Means — 1 Corinthians 10 Explained
showed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt. In other words, it's almost the same as Christ's earthly ministry, see. He had to show wonders and signs to prove to the Jewish nation that it was God's doing. Alright, and same way with Moses. He had showed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years.
Jesus' Water Baptism
Les teaches that Jesus' baptism by John fulfilled the symbolic washing of the priesthood and identified Jesus with His covenant people Israel, even though He had no sin to repent of.
Baptism Means Engulfed
Les explains that the Greek word for baptism means to be engulfed or inundated, and that Israel's Red Sea crossing was a baptism unto Moses and the cloud without water.
Baptized Into Christ's Death
Les says the Holy Spirit baptizes believers into the body of Christ, engulfing them into His death, burial, and resurrection—this is the gospel.
Buried With Him by Baptism
Les teaches that being buried with Christ by baptism into death is not water baptism; it means sharing in the reality of Christ's actual death.
Greek Meaning of Baptizo
Les shows that Greek poets used baptizo for a ship sinking at sea, so the word means totally engulfed, not always by water.
John's Baptism of Repentance
Les explains that John's baptism was a baptism of repentance, preparing Israel's hearts for the coming King and His Kingdom.
No Cleansing by Water
Les says baptism has no cleansing effect today because it is the Word that cleanses; water baptism cannot do what the Holy Spirit does.
Romans 6:3: Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
This verse directly links baptism to Jesus' suffering and death, defining the significance of the term.
Romans 6:4: 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.
It shows baptism as burial into Christ's death, which is the core of suffering and resurrection.
1 Corinthians 10:2: And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.
Paul calls Israel's Red Sea crossing a baptism without water, showing baptism as identification with a leader.
1 Corinthians 12:13: For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
This shows that spiritual baptism places believers into the body of Christ, which includes being placed into His death.
Les Feldick explains that the Greek word baptizo means to be totally engulfed or inundated, like a ship sinking at sea. It does not always mean water; it can refer to being completely placed into a person's leadership, death, or body.
Paul says believers are baptized into Jesus Christ and into His death (Romans 6:3). This means being engulfed in the reality of His crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.
Jesus' water baptism was a symbolic fulfillment of the priesthood washing and identified Him with His covenant people Israel. It was not a baptism of repentance, but the deeper baptism associated with His suffering is His death and resurrection.
Les Feldick teaches that water baptism has no cleansing effect today—the Word cleanses. The baptism that places a person into Christ's death is the work of the Holy Spirit, not a water ceremony.
Watch the Teaching: What "Baptized Unto Moses" Really Means — 1 Corinthians 10 Explained