What is the meaning of 1 Peter 3:21? And this water symbolizes the baptism Peter has just spoken of the flood in Noah’s day (1 Peter 3:20). Those floodwaters judged the world yet lifted the ark—and the eight souls inside—to safety. In the same way, baptism illustrates judgment and deliverance at once. • Genesis 7 shows the waters covering the earth, but Hebrews 11:7 celebrates Noah’s salvation through faith. • Jesus compares His own redemptive work to Noah’s days in Matthew 24:37–39. • Thus, the water is a vivid picture: judgment for sin, yet a passage to life for those sheltered in God’s provision. that now saves you also Peter’s words are strong: “Baptism…now saves you.” The saving, however, is not mechanical; it is inseparable from the gospel it proclaims. • Acts 2:38 joins repentance, faith, and baptism as one response to Christ. • Romans 6:3-4 explains that baptism unites the believer with Christ’s death and resurrection. • Salvation is “by grace…through faith” (Ephesians 2:8-9), but genuine faith willingly steps into the waters, identifying with the Savior. not the removal of dirt from the body Peter quickly guards against any notion of mere ritual. Water can wash skin, yet leave the heart unchanged. • Hebrews 9:13-14 contrasts external washings with Christ’s blood that purifies the conscience. • Hebrews 10:22 calls believers to draw near “having our bodies washed with pure water,” an inner cleansing pictured outwardly. • External religion alone, Jesus warns, is fruitless (Matthew 23:25-26). but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God The key issue is the heart’s response. Baptism is “the pledge”—an appeal, commitment, or testimony—of a conscience made clean by Christ. • 2 Corinthians 1:12 speaks of “the testimony of our conscience” in godly sincerity. • Acts 24:16 shows Paul striving “to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.” • Titus 3:5 links the “washing of rebirth” to the Holy Spirit’s regenerating work, not human effort. In baptism, the believer publicly affirms: My conscience is now clean because I trust Jesus. through the resurrection of Jesus Christ All saving power flows from the risen Lord. Without the empty tomb, baptism would be an empty bath. • 1 Peter 1:3 anchors our “living hope” in Christ’s resurrection. • Romans 6:4-5 promises that being united with Him in baptism means sharing His resurrected life. • 1 Corinthians 15:20 declares Christ “the firstfruit” guaranteeing our future resurrection. Because Jesus lives, baptism pictures and proclaims a present, unbreakable union with Him. summary Peter ties together Noah’s flood, Christian baptism, and Christ’s resurrection to show one grand truth: salvation is God’s work, visibly preached in the water. Baptism does not cleanse skin but testifies that Christ has cleansed the conscience. Those who trust the risen Lord step into the water as living witnesses that judgment has passed, new life has begun, and Jesus saves completely. |
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