The prophet's mantle

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:27 ESV

There are several pictures of water baptism in the Old Testament. The most obvious one is the crossing of the Red Sea, but there are others. One that often gets overlooked is the transition from Elijah to Elisha.

Both the "old man" and the "new man" go down into the water, but only the "new man" returns. When he does he is clothed differently. He has put on something that gives him a new authority.

So it is when we are baptsied. We are already saved by putting our faith in Jesus. But the old man is still hanging around. In the waters of baptism he is left behind and only our new life in Christ continues.

Not only that but like Elisha, we have something new to put on. Elisha had the mantle of the great prophet who went before him. We have the mantle of Christ himself! It enables us to continue the same works that he did. It is a sign that his Spirit is upon us.