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The expression used here is a singular and suggestive one, and one that seems to require an enlargement of our associations with the term "baptized." "Were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea." It may be noted that more precisely the passage should read, "all baptized themselves unto Moses." St. Paul sees, in the incidents of the crossing of the Red Sea under the guidance of the pillar cloud, a symbol of that Christian confession which puts us wholly under the redeemings and guidings of the Lord Jesus Christ. For the incidents, see Exodus 14:21, 22. The point is that the "fathers," the "Israelites," voluntarily dedicated themselves to the leadership of Moses when they went through the waters at his command. They came up out of the waters, on the further shore, a new people, devoted to Moses as the earthly ruler representing Jehovah. "The Israelites were baptized unto Moses' because, by passing through the cloud and the sea, they had become connected with him, dependent on his commands and guidance." F. W. Robertson well points out the reason for the warnings here given. "The peril of the Corinthian Church lay in their false security. They were tempted to think that all things were safe to do, because all things were lawful. They were ready to rest satisfied with the knowledge that they were God's people and God's Church. Now, the apostle shakes this sense of their safety by reminding them that the ancient Church of Israel fell, although it had the same privileges; therefore he infers that spiritual privileges are not perfect security. Now, the argument by which he proves that the privileges of ancient Israel were similar to theirs is remarkable. That people had a baptism as well as they, and a spiritual food and drink. Baptism is the solemn profession of our Christianity; and the passing through the Red Sea was the Israelites' profession of discipleship to Moses." Here, then, baptism is the symbol of confession, or profession; it is the act by which we voluntarily yield ourselves to the leadership of another. This may receive four illustrations.

I. COMPARE JOHN'S BAPTISM. Observe the connection between John's teaching and John's rite. Those who accepted his teaching yielded themselves to his leadership by the act of submitting to his rite. He led them to a change in their ideas and expectations of Messiah which should have prepared them to recognize in him a spiritual Saviour - a Saviour from sin. Through voluntary submission to John's baptism, they publicly confessed themselves to be John's disciples.

II. COMPARE OUR LORD'S BAPTISMS. It does not appear that he personally baptized any one; but his disciples did so in his Name. Here, again, the act was a public and outward acknowledgment or confession of the Messiahship of Christ, and a voluntary submission to his rule and law. It was the faith of the disciple gaining expression in a solemn public act. It brought the disciple under our Lord's leadership, just as following Moses into the sea involved full submission to his guidance.

III. COMPARE ST. PAUL'S TEACHING ABOUT BAPTISM. It is always with him the equivalent of confession. It is confession by an act rather than by a word. Such confession St. Paul declares to be an absolute necessity for salvation. With characteristic point and force, he even makes it as necessary as faith, saying in Romans 10:9, "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." And from this St. Paul argues that we are now, by our own consecration, "under law to Christ." "We serve the Lord Christ."

IV. COMPARE PRESENT DAY DISCIPLESHIP. The rite is perhaps less regarded, but that which it stands for is still essential. Impress that the following things are the proper stages of religious experience: -

1. Repentance, with due forsaking of sinful ways.

2. Faith in Christ as able to grant forgiveness and to give life.

3. Confession of Christ, by some form of voluntary and public testimony.

4. Full and submissive practical obedience to his rule and law in everyday life and conduct. - R.T.

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KJV: And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

WEB: and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;