1 Corinthians 10:1-2

1 Corinthians 10:1-2

[1] brethren,  I would  not  should be ignorant,  how that  all  fathers  under  the cloud,  and  all  passed  through  the sea;  [2] And  all  baptized  unto  Moses  in  the cloud  and  in  the sea; 

What does 1 Corinthians 10:1-2 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Paul did not want his readers to overlook a very important possibility as they thought about eating special meals in idol temples. He reminded them that their fathers in the faith, believers in Israel, were also all under the protective influence of God. The Corinthians knew these facts from the Old Testament, but they did not appreciate their significance sufficiently. First, the cloud that led them in their wilderness wanderings symbolized God"s loving care and evidenced His prolonged supernatural guidance. Likewise, second, they all experienced a supernatural deliverance when they crossed the Red Sea. Moreover, third, all of them associated with Moses who was their leader and God"s instrument in their redemption. Moses provided supernatural leadership for them under God.
Baptism is the outward expression of the believer"s identification with the object of his or her faith (cf. Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27). Consequently Paul could say the Israelites were baptized into Moses even though they did not undergo literal water baptism in the name of Moses. By following him and submitting to his authority they expressed their identification with him. The parallel with water baptism was most vivid when they went under the cloud and crossed the Red Sea. These experiences constituted a dry baptism for the Israelites.