I report and link. You decide. - ToK
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. - 2 Timothy 2:15
There are many passages that seem to show a great dispensational difference between the New Testament church and the post-apostolic church.
The formation of the nation of Israel during forty years in the desert is strikingly parallel to the formation of the Church in the forty years between Pentecost and the destruction of the Temple.
Paul's exposition of these similarities would seem to define baptism in the Holy Spirit in a way unfamiliar to most.
1 Corinthians 10:1-6 KJV 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; (2) And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; (3) And did all eat the same spiritual meat; (4) And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. (5) But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. (6) Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
"Under the cloud" and "through the sea" would seem to be similar to Spirit baptism and water baptism respectively. And "baptized unto Moses" is parallel to baptized into Christ. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night are parallel to baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
One thing that has always puzzled me about Spirit baptism is the exit from immersion. (Baptism is literally a dipping.) I have thought that possibly it was the residue from the immersion that was efficacious.
But this passage suggests that Spirit baptism was of the entire Church. And as the pillar of cloud ceased when the nation of Israel had been formed under Moses, the Church emerged from the baptism of the Spirit when its formation through the special spiritual offices, gifts and manifestations of the apostolic age was complete. Toto of Kansas aka Jim Smiling aka Brother Jonathan
Link to my href="http://people.delphiforums.com/jimsmiling/index.html">
Blogs, Forums & Essays
