There is an often forgotten subject that Baptism also avails; good destruction. This is to say before Baptism avail to us a number of things; there has to first be the destruction of the old mold. Be it baptism of the whole world or an individual; it avails a new beginning; where it has destroyed the former things. Meaning as we yield self to baptism; we also yield all that is not of God in us to be destroyed, so that we may apprehend that is of God. That is why we get born again; to put in us a new person with a newness of heart and conscience. A new being; that new being is not added to the old ways and life you lived; that life is put in to the mortar so God may mold us afresh. And it is a thing that we should know God has predestined and the more we go for it in Him the more destruction of all ills in our lives. Even earth the number of times it had to be destroyed at times with all the heavens above it did have to go for it to be purged and loosed of it's former character and tenants for the new to not be entangled in the things of the former.
2 Peter 3:10-13 KJV But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
2 Peter 3:5-7 KJV For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
The first and last baptism of the world do spell a terrible thing one has to look into to appreciate the value of the destructive power of Baptism. The whole system that stood in tact before the first baptism of the earth met its end so it may be made ready for us. It soon escapes one what it means when one talks about Baptism in any form, that they are talking of an utter destruction to empty one for a new filling and conscience.
There is a thing we often do not tell when we talk about baptism; be it if Fire or Water Baptism; it is the destructive power of Baptism. When we say there has been a full baptism of the world before and there shall be another; we soon forget to detail that it means an utter destruction of a former world. This ideal should come to mind that; as we say we are looking for an abiding city not built with hands. We mean we are ready to let this one wholly burn to let the old things pass with it or the current things to burn up and be destroyed so we may get in to the New.
So, we often forget to mention and say it loud and clear; as you go in to the water know that the former world in you is going to be destroyed for God to give you a new network of associates and new brethren. We soon forget the sword that the Lord soon talks about, to say; your former associates and all the crooked in your life shall be rooted out. You will have to let all these things be consumed by the erosion of water baptism of you are ready to receive the new.
