Was anyone ever baptized in the Old Testament? When was baptism initiated?

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Let us start with an interesting observation by Paul? 1 Cor 10:1 “Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,” Here Paul states that being under the cloud in the day time and going under the sea level of the Red Sea the people of Israel had a typological baptism. The word “baptism” first appears in the New Testament. Matt. 3:5 “Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.” Most modern Christians wear a bracelet with the inscription WWJD - what would Jesus do? Matt. 3: 13 “Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” 15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. 16When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” When we accept Christ as our example, this is the direction to take! Matt. 20:22 “But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.” 23 So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.” Jesus dealt with the need to be born again in great detail in John 3: John 3:3 “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” Here Jesus explains the process of becoming a member of a heavenly family. The old ways of man whilst dedicated to this world and sin need to die, and this death is symbolized by baptism and not breathing when under the water. The result when coming out of the water is the new birth as a spiritual baby needing to grow. Following this, we need something more than water baptism. Heb. 12:29 “For our God is a consuming fire.” This is the only eternal fire we need to prepare for. The secret lies in the following texts. Matt. 3: 11 “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” By freely choosing the water baptism we prepare ourselves to receive the gift from Jesus, the baptism of the Holy Spirit as this will make us fireproof. This forms part of the plan of salvation and we have a visual teaching instrument from the tabernacle service. • One entrance (Jesus Christ) into the courtyard. The first item to be encountered by the sinner bringing a lamb was the copper altar of sacrifice, where the innocent lamb symbolizes the pure Jesus without sin who became sin for us and died in our place. We receive justification here and the priest took things further. • He then had to use the laver to wash as a symbol of cleansing that resembles what happens after repentance and acceptance of Jesus. We publicly display the inner experience by being baptized of our won choice and it is God’s choice to baptism us with the Holy Spirit. We have the assurance: Phil. 1:6 “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;” We now arrive in the Holy Place a type of the Christian walk with 3 pieces of furniture. • Table showbread – “Jesus the Bread of Life”, “and the Word became flesh”- symbolizing the requirement and need for us to eat spiritual food on a daily basis in the form of Bible study. • Altar of incense – typifies prayer life. It was lit morning and evening and should suggest our daily morning and evening prayer – at least. • The 7 branched candlestick and Revelation confirms the symbolism: Rev. 1: 20 “The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.” This latter supports that we are His representatives on earth with a task to perform. Matt. 5: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” We study the Bible, pray daily and then go to the world to represent Jesus with this great commission. Matt. 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” When we allow God into our hearts, our spiritual life is symbolized as the Holy Place, where spiritual growth and sanctification occurs. When we are successful Christians the veil is truly taken away. This is when our minds and bodies as temples are cleansed, and we become part of glorification and we may see Jesus face to face.