Hi Dcontrolversal.
I would offer not multiple choice, but rather two different kinds. One not seen, as the things of God, and one seen as the things of men used in ceremonial laws which they were purposed by God to preach the gospel in respect to the suffering of Christ beforehand.
It would seem that the gospel was preached beforehand in that way when looking at 1 Peter 1:8-11.
Thegospel is hid in many ways, but I think it was the purpose for the ceremonial laws. They looked ahead to the cross we look back by the same faith that comes from hearing God through His word.
Whom havingnot seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.Ofwhich salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:1 Peter 1:8-10
It would seem the words.... "who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you" is speaking of the gospel.
The key.
Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferingsof Christ, and the glory that should follow.1 Peter 1:11
That matter of time is the time of reformation the fullness of the manner of time spoken of in 1 Peter. The shadows by which are no to judge one another with had become sight the veil was rent indicating the flesh of the Son of man Jesus had come to bring glory to the father not seen
Water baptism has its roots in ceremonial laws, having to do when a new member declares as their goal of becoming a member of the priesthood in which Christian are a part of as a kingdom of priest. Many verses showthis. I will offer one from Revelation
And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Revelation 1:6
It would seem to be the subject matter in John 3:25 .The Son of man, Jesus desiring to enter the ministryneedingaofficiator from the tribe of Levi .John the Baptist, who prepared the way for the Son of man to begin the ministry, being sent out into the wilderness to represent the scape goat who sins of the believer's were metaphorically placed on his head. So that also now as a priest Jesus could officiate and baptize men who also had a desire to serve the lord.
Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews aboutpurifying.And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.John3:25-27
Leviticus 8 uses water as that seen to symbolize the Holy Spirit, not seen. The first symbolic work in preparing a priest for the priest hood as a ceremonial law (shadow)is the baptism of water
And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith.And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim Lev 8
When God baptizes us, it is the pouring out of His Spirit, not seen. Water as that seen is used as a metaphor in various parables to represent the unseen anointing or teaching of Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit of God who does work in the believers to both will and do His good pleasure as we work with Him. to teach comfort and bring to minds the things he has taught us. He informs us as it is written we abide in Him the anointing one. Also informing us that we do not need a man seen to teach us and those who insist we do he identifies as the antichrists the many who were there during that time period. That I would believe is the result of the Baptism of the Spirit or fiery baptism that cleanses us of sin, a purifying fire that refines His saints
That which is called a believer'sbaptism today works fine to those who are members of the priesthood of believers again a person cannot judge shadows that point to their fulfillment.