Why Baptism Still Matters in the Age of Fulfillment: A Full Preterist Perspective

Why Baptism Still Matters in the Age of Fulfillment: A Full Preterist Perspective

Under the Full Preterist view, we believe that all biblical prophecy—including the coming of Christ in judgment and the passing of the Old Covenant system—has been fulfilled. This often raises the question: if the shadows have passed, is baptism still relevant today? The answer is yes—not because it belongs to the fading rituals of the Old Covenant, but because it symbolizes and participates in the everlasting realities of the New Covenant.

Let’s explore why baptism remains both meaningful and necessary under fulfilled eschatology.

Exodus and Circumcision: A Shadow, Not a Blueprint

The journey of Israel through the Red Sea was seen as a type of baptism (1 Cor 10:1–2), intimately tied to circumcision under the Mosaic covenant. But when Israel entered the Promised Land, the typological purpose of that baptism was complete. Yet, the entry into the land did not mark the end of circumcision—it was adapted and continued.

This shows us that covenant signs do not necessarily vanish when a stage of redemptive history is fulfilled—they can be transformed. In the New Covenant, baptism takes the role of a new, spiritual circumcision, adapted for a better covenant (Col 2:11–12).

Old Testament Rituals Were Never for Gentiles

Under the Old Covenant, rituals like circumcision, sacrifices, and washings (Heb 9:10) were given to Israel, not to the nations. Gentiles were never commanded to practice them unless they became proselytes. However, the command to baptize all nations (Matt 28:19) signals something profoundly new: a covenantal ritual that is not an extension of the Old, but a new sign for a new people.

It’s also telling that the Jews were not required to be baptized unless they submitted to Jesus as Messiah. This wasn’t an external law being enforced—it was an invitation into a new spiritual reality, one that only faith could activate.

Baptism vs. Jewish Washings: Baptisma and Baptismois

The New Testament makes a linguistic distinction between baptisma (baptism) and baptismois (ritual washings). Hebrews 9:10 refers to “various washings” (baptismois), which were part of the ceremonial law. But Christian baptism (baptisma) is something else entirely—it is not a mere ritual cleansing, but a spiritual union with Christ, death to the old man, and resurrection to new life (Rom 6:3–4).

Baptism Made Without Hands: A New Creation Reality

Paul says in Colossians 2:11–12 that we are baptized not by circumcision made with hands, but by a "circumcision made without hands"—a clear distinction from physical rites. This kind of baptism is spiritual, representing the inward transformation of the heart, the indwelling of the Spirit, and entrance into the heavenly reality of Christ.

This matches the language of Hebrews 9:11, which contrasts the “greater and more perfect tent—not made with hands.” The Old Covenant system, with its physical rituals, was passing away (Heb 8:13), but baptism into Christ was a permanent spiritual reality.

Baptism and the Holy Spirit: The Heavenly Parallel

There’s a profound connection between baptism and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus began His ministry, He was baptized—and it was at that moment that the Spirit descended and rested on Him (Matt 3:16). This mirrors the washing of the high priest before entering the Most Holy Place (Lev 16:4).

Just as the tabernacle was purified with water before the glory of God filled it, so too believers are baptized—washed spiritually—before the Spirit indwells them. This is no longer a shadow of things to come; it is the reality of the New Covenant priesthood (Rev 1:6), in which we have bold access to the heavenly holy of holies.

Conclusion: Baptism as a Present Heavenly Reality

For the Full Preterist, baptism is not a relic of an old system—it is the sign of participation in the fulfilled, everlasting kingdom. It is a symbol of our death with Christ, our entrance into His heavenly presence, and our reception of the Holy Spirit.

The Old Covenant forms have passed, but the New Covenant reality continues. And so does baptism—not as an external rite of legalism, but as the joyful declaration that we belong to the fulfilled kingdom of God.