When was the first baptism? Some might think Pentecost (Acts 2:38); others may say Jesus’ baptism, still others who have read 1 Pet 3:20–21 may say the Great Flood (Gen 6­—9). However, the first baptism (or antitype of baptism) occurs in Genesis 1. The entire world was originally submerged in chaotic waters (Gen 1:2). However, when God created the world, he removed the waters from the earth and then continued to create. This same symbolism is used throughout the Bible when God redeems his creation, thereby making them a new creation. This can be observed at the flood where water destroyed the earth and God (re)created the earth from it. It was used at the exodus where water was used to destroy the Egyptian army and create the nation of Israel (1 Cor 10:1).

This has a few implications on our understanding of baptism. First, baptism is something that God’s people have experienced across covenants. Therefore, those who claim baptism is unnecessary need to be aware that all of God’s people, both past and present, are baptized. Second, this helps us understand the new-creation symbolism involved with baptism. Whenever we come out of the chaotic waters, we, too, are a new creation like that described in Gen 1; 11; Exod 14. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Cor 5:17; ESV). I now encourage you all to study what it means to be a part of God’s new creation and how that effects how we live.