Even Then, That Rock Was Christ! - Part 1577

"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; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ."(I Corinthians 10:1-4)
It is such a blessing being born again. Born not of corruptible seed as one might imagine, but of incorruptible seed, and by the Word of God. This is the Word of the Lord which by the gospel is delivered freely unto you. Indeed, it is this same gospel in which the Word of the Lord endures forever. 

In Noah's day, as you will recall from the scriptures, people watched, scoffed and mocked the ark that Noah was building. Still, Noah kept on working because he knew that God was in charge. Throughout the 100 years that the ark was under construction, Noah worked while God directed the project. Noah also worked as unto the Lord, preparing an ark of safety - a haven.

Meanwhile, the "then generation" carried on living as if the world they knew would last forever. They were completely oblivious to the fact that men and women are only one heart beat away from eternity. Considered a different way, we at least recognize that when we are going on a long journey, we will need to allow some time to pack a suitcase. It is the same scenario in our human life. At the end of our life road is God. And eternity is eternity. We are on a one way ticket and as such, only we can choose the direction we take.

Still, God remains on the long suffering sideline, being ignored as if this wonderful created intelligent world was created by dumb matter. Rather than understand God's purpose for our lives, they willingly put God on the back burner. In fact, let's party - eat, drink and be merry, leaving the natural use of a woman -- preferring instead to substitute their perverted orgies - all the time pretending to have a good time. As was society in Noah's time, so it is now. 

Noah heeding God’s warning was preparing an escape route. Preparing an ark according to the Lord's direction and guidance. Looking back historically, we know that the flood did happen even if people of that generation refused to recognize the writing on the wall. As instructed by the Lord, Noah loaded the ark with creatures of every size. He rounded up 7 pairs of domestic/clean animals, 1 pair of wild/unclean animals and he put them on board along with his family. His family consisted of eight persons. When everyone was on board, God closed the ark door. 

The rain started. And did it rain. It rained so much that all earth and the life therein was destroyed. Indeed, for forty days and forty nights it rained.

The point worth noting here is this. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. The scripture saith that the ark is Jesus, and the door or entrance into the ark is accomplished when our being is buried or baptized into His death according to Acts 2:36-47 and Romans 6:3-4. When we are buried/baptized under the water, our old sinful past life is drowned. When we arise out of the water, we are resurrected to a new life.  For when we are resurrected with Him, not only are we resurrected, but we arise totally justified from all our sins. 

Further, water baptism is similar to the time when the children of Israel in the old covenant crossed the river. It is said that in so doing, they were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. Reaching the other river bank in safety, while the Egyptians endeavouring to do the same all drowned in the water. It is evident that they were not in the ark of safety. 

Today, believers are baptized into the death of Jesus. He is the covenant of promise, the ark of safety whereby believers are saved by our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. Not because they were deserving of salvation and neither was it because that they had cleaned up their fleshly conduct. Rather, it was because they reverently feared and believed that God had prepared an ark of safety for them. 

As believers then, their/our faith needs to be expressed by their baptism into the death of Jesus, the only begotten Son of the Holy Ghost. Again, the ark of safety. These believers simply put their lives into the hands of a faithful, loving Saviour. They trusted in Him as young children believed and trust in their parents.

Additionally, when the believers were baptized, they knew in whom they had faith, and as a consequence, they were not baptized in any other name. They were not baptized into Peter, Paul or the name of another. Their salvation was secure in the Name of Jesus. As such, they passed from the old covenant of death and entered into the grace of God - and into an abundant life. You can come and be baptized in the name of Jesus too. 

He will wash away your sins. He will make you anew. He will sanctify you in His precious blood.His Word. Thy Word is truth.

Thus, call on His name - the name of JESUS so that you also can become a recipient of God's grace and  receive the gift of God’s Holy Spirit. Peace to all who are in Jesus. Don't forget to stand in the offering plate.