Corinthians(1) 10:1-11, The Baptism of Moses Compared and Contrasted with the Baptism of Jesus

There is both a comparison and contrast to be made when considering the baptisms of Moses and Jesus.  Christian camps often remain divided on this point by emphasizing either the comparison or the contrast between Moses and Jesus.  Yet the Holy Spirit himself notes a both comparison in I Corinthians 10:1-6 and a contrast in Hebrews 3:16-4:3a.  So this is a useful study for all Christians to consider.

1) Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2) and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3) and all ate the same spiritual food; 4) and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. 5) However with most 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. 7) Don't be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." 8) Let's not commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell. 9) Let's not test Christ, as some of them tested, and perished by the serpents. 10) Don't grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer. 11) Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.

1 Corinthians 10:1-11 (WEB)

16) For who, when they heard, rebelled? Wasn't it all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? 17) With whom was he displeased forty years? Wasn't it with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18) To whom did he swear that they wouldn't enter into his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19) We see that they weren't able to enter in because of unbelief. 1)Let's fear therefore, lest perhaps anyone of you should seem to have come short of a promise of entering into his rest. 2) For indeed we have had good news preached to us, even as they also did, but the word they heard didn't profit them, because it wasn't mixed with faith by those who heard. 3) For we who have believed do enter into that rest, even as he has said, "As I swore in my wrath, they will not enter into my rest;"

Hebrews 3:16-4:3a (WEB)

 

Consider I Corinthians 10:1-11
Comparison
Hebrews 3:16-4:3a
Contrast
Old Covenant
People of God
Blessed but sinned Heard but didn't believe good news
New Covenant
People of God
Saved but also sin Heard and believed good news


Two troublesome thoughts are highlighted above.  First it is possible to be among the people of God and share in great blessing by being near his protection, yet not believe, and miss salvation and protection from God's wrath.  Second, it is also possible to be a member of the people of God through sincere faith in the Messiah receiving salvation, yet fall into the same grievous sins as unbelievers and destroy one's usefulness in this life.  Examine yourself for true faith and exhort yourself to godly obedience, else you will not escape judgment and your life will be wasted by the effects of sin.