The Tabernacle of Moses was divided into the Outer Court, the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies.
The outer court contained the Brazen Altar of Sacrifice representing Repentance.
The Brazen Laver of Water was also in the outer court, and it represents Water Baptism.
Polished brass mirrors were used to construct the laver of water donated by the women of Israel.
When the priests were through sacrificing the lambs on the Brazen Altar, they walked to the Brazen Laver of Water they were able to see their reflection and wash away the bloodstains left from the sacrifice.
The priests would die if they didn’t wash at the Laver of Water. (Exodus 30:17-21) Washing at the Laver of Water was very important in the Old Testament Priesthood.
The Laver of Water came before the door to the Holy Place, and it came after the Brazen Altar of Sacrifice. Sacrifice or repentance is a prerequisite for Water Baptism. Sins must be confessed and turned away from before one is baptized.
God sees the Blood of Christ covering our sins at the altar of repentance; then He sees the Blood of Christ wash those sins away at the waters of baptism.
The priests were to wash each time they ministered in the Holy Place. Their hands represented their service to the Lord. Their feet represented where they walked, and how they lived.
The High Priests had to wash all over before they could enter the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement.
Even Believers who have been to the altar of repentance and the waters of baptism, need to wash afresh before entering the house of God, or before kneeling to pray. God has provided this continual washing by the Water of His Word and conviction of His Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 5:26, John 6:63) God’s Word not only washes our service, and lifestyles, but it washes the very motives of our heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament Tabernacle Plan.
- He fulfills the Brazen Altar of Sacrifice as the Lamb of God. He died on the cross for our sins. His Blood forgives our sins.
- He fulfills the Brazen Laver of Water as the Living Water of His Word and His Holy Spirit. He said we are clean through the Word which He speaks to our hearts. (John 15:3) His Living Word cleanses us per Ephesians 5:26 and it divides our motives from our actions and words per Hebrews 4:12.
- His blood covers our sins in death, enabling us to walk with Him in newness of life: Eternal Life.
Jesus told Nicodemus that we must be Born Again of the Water and the Spirit. Water Baptism in the New Testament is a fulfillment of the Laver of Water in the Old Testament.
Just as natural water brings life to the physical man, the spiritual water of the Living Word of Christ brings Eternal Life to the spiritual man.
Jesus told the woman at the well that He had Living Water which He would give to those who believed in Him as the Scripture teaches. This Living Water is the Holy Spirit that permeates His Living Word; springing up into Eternal Life. Born Again of Water Baptism and Spirit Baptism imparts Eternal Life to our spiritual man. (John 7:37-39)
Titus 3:5 says we are not saved by any works of righteousness which we have done, but it is according to His mercy He saved us, through the Washing of Regeneration (spiritual rebirth) and renewing of the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 10:22 says we can draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
New Testament Water Baptism.
- John baptized by immersion in the Jordan River for repentance of sins, while he pointed to Jesus as the baptizer of the Holy Spirit and Fire. (Mark 1:4-8,14, John 3:23)
- Jesus was baptized by John to fulfill the Law’s requirement for His ministry. (Mark 1:9, Matthew 3:11-17)
- Water and Spirit joined together at the Baptism of Jesus. He came up out of the Water, and The Holy Spirit descended upon Him as a dove. New Birth was initiated by Jesus for all of His followers.
- The Disciples or Apostles baptized throughout the Book of Acts fulfilling the commands of Jesus in Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16 and Luke 24:47.
- Peter baptized 3000 on the Day of Pentecost in the Name of Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:38-42)
- Peter baptized the Samaritans in the Name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 8:12-17)
- Ananias baptized Saul/Paul. (Acts 9:17-19)
- Paul baptized the Philippians Jailer after He believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 16:30-33)
- Aquila and Priscilla expounded the Word of God to a disciple of John the Baptist, named Apollos. (Acts 18:24-28)
- Paul re-baptized the disciples of John the Baptist in the Name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 19:1-6)
- Paul says we are washed, justified and sanctified in the Name of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit of God. (I Corinthians 6:11)
- Paul teaches that whatsoever we do in word or deed, we do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus. (Colossians 3:17)
- Paul told the Philippians that the Name of Jesus is above all other names in heaven and the earth and under the earth. (Philippians 2:9-11)
- Paul says the whole Family in heaven and earth is Named Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 3:14-15)
Water Baptism replaces the rite of circumcision of the Old Testament. Instead of removing flesh, God removes the corruption of the heart. (Colossians 2:11-12)
- Hebrews 9:22 teaches that there is no remission or forgiveness of sins without the shedding of blood.
- Colossians 2:14 says our sins have been nailed to the cross with Jesus in His death.
- Jesus is now our High Priest in heaven making intercession for us before His Father. (Hebrews 9:11-28)
- Hebrews 13:12 says we are sanctified by the Blood of Jesus Christ.
- Revelation 1:5 says Jesus is the one who Washes away our sins by His Blood.
- Romans 6:3-4 says we are buried with Christ in His death through water baptism.
- Galatians 3:27 says being baptized into Christ is putting on Christ.
Conclusion:
I Peter 2:9 teaches that believers are a Royal Priesthood unto God. We are to offer praises unto our God and Lord continually. (Hebrews 13:5)
If we are a Priesthood unto our God, then we need to fulfill that which Jesus taught us about being Born Again of the Water and the Spirit. He demonstrated the New Birth of Water in being baptized by immersion by John the Baptist. He demonstrated the New Birth of the Spirit with the Holy Spirit descending upon Him at Baptism.
- Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman were taught that Living Water could bring Eternal Life by giving New Life to our dead spirit-man with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
- The Holy Spirit of God’s Presence was not experienced by the priests of the Old Testament until they had offered sacrifice and Washed at the Laver of Water. Only then were they able to enter into the Holy Place of God and serve Him.
- The Blood of Christ as the Lamb of God is our sacrifice as we ask Him to forgive our sins in repentance.
- The Blood of Christ is applied by His Holy Word which is saturated with His Holy Spirit, as we believe it and obey its teachings.
- His Word spoken to our hearts and received in faith cleanses us from sin as we confess those sins to Him as our High Priest.
Repentance fulfills the Brazen Altar of Sacrifice, and Water Baptism fulfills the Brazen Laver of Water. As our sins are forgiven and washed away never to be remembered by God again, His Holy Spirit can indwell our human spirit and give us Living Water unto Eternal Life!