Robert F. Turner
In the very long ago God chose to use water as the means of destroying
a sin-cursed world. (Gen. 6:) I do not know why He did it this way. I'm
sure there were many other means at His disposal--but God sent a great
flood upon the earth, by which he removed the corruption, and saved Noah
and his family. (1 Pet. 3:20-f) Thus water became a "dividing
line" between the filthy and the cleansed.
When God delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage, he
led them to the Red Sea. This was not the regular route out of Egypt. Not
far to the north was a dry-land route. But God led them to the sea, and
made for them a path between walls of water. They were immersed in cloud
and sea. (1 Cor. 10:1-f) When Pharaoh's army sought to follow them, the
sea closed on it, destroying this enemy. Thus water became a "dividing
line" between bondage and freedom. I do not know why God did it this
way.
When Naaman, captain of the Syrian army, came to God's prophet for healing
of his leprosy, he was told to "wash in the Jordan, seven times. (2
Kings 5:) It does seem a strange requirement! Naaman said "I thought"
the prophet would do differently. He reasoned that his home-land streams
were better than Jordan-- if water was all that was needed. But
of course water was only the medium chosen by God for this miracle.
I do not know why God did it this way.
But I know that when Naaman submitted to God's command, and dipped seven
times in Jordan, he was healed of his leprosy. Some may ask, "Was
there anything in the water that contributed to this healing?"
I answer, "Yes!! Naaman was in the water, where God told him to be."
The healing was by God's power, but it was applied to an obedient subject
only. Thus water became the "dividing line" between sickness
and health.
When Jesus healed the man born blind (Jn. 9:1-f) he used water as the
"dividing line" between blindness and sight. He anointed the
man's eyes with clay, then said, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam."
I do not know why He did it this way. I only know that the man was blind
until he did what the Lord told him to do-- and when he washed, he could
see.
God, with divine power, cleansed the world, freed Israel, healed the
leper, and gave sight to the blind. In all these manifestations of His
power He used the element water. He asked the subjects to use
that water as He directed; and He withheld the blessing until their
faith was thus demonstrated. I do not know why. It has not occurred to
me to question.
And it is difficult for me to understand why people who claim to have
faith in God, will question His command to be baptized "for the remission
of sins." (Acts 2:38;;22:16) Is it so strange that God would choose
to use water as the "dividing line" between the old life
of sin, and the new Christian life? (Rom. 6:3-f) The more puzzling question
is how a true believer could "reject the counsel of God against himself?"
(Lu. 7:30)
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