In the narrative of Scripture, the concept of baptism extends beyond a mere ritual, encompassing profound acts of cleansing and renewal. The Flood story presents an early example of baptism by water, where the world of that time was cleansed of sin through the destruction of all humanity except for Noah and his family. The entire earth was submerged in a watery grave, from which only Noah's family emerged to new life. Moreover, there is a suggestion of an even earlier baptism at the dawn of Creation. Genesis 1:2 describes the earth as covered in water, and on the third day, God gathered the waters into seas, allowing dry land to appear. The earth rose out of the water, cleansed and prepared for new life, symbolizing a baptism that initiated God's creative work. These examples underscore the significance of baptism to God. It appears that He begins every instance of new life or creation with a baptism, a cleansing in water for the remission of sins, marking it as an essential and vital early step in His work with humanity.