1 Peter 3:20

I Peter 3:20-22

Water Baptism

“Would you open your Bibles with me to...”

1Pet 3:20 who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.

1Pet 3:21 There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

1Pet 3:22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

Prayer

Intro

√ Baptism

I've saved these few verses for us to look at in detail because they are so often misunderstood and misused.

Especially the first part of vs. 21

"There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism"

While the truth, which Peter is communicating, is made perfectly clear when we read the rest of the verse…

…there are unfortunately many who take this verse out of context to try and "prove" that a person must be water baptized to be saved.

This doctrine is called Baptismal Regeneration.

And has many proponents in the area in which we live.

Ap. For those who hold this doctrine

I would challenge you to be a Berean (Acts 17:11) and look at the whole counsel of God - comparing scripture with scripture that you might discover the will of God regarding water baptism.

Don't hold any doctrine as truth based upon what a pastors says is true, or a church tradition says is true…

…rather, make the Bible your final authority as the test of truth.

I would suggest that while water baptism is an important step in the life of every believer…

…I hope to demonstrate to you from the Bible that it is not necessary for salvation.

Baptism (vs. 20-21)

1Pet 3:21 There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

1Pet 3:22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

√ An antitype

Note the word…

"antitype"

…in vs. 21.

KJV = "figure"

NIV = "symbolizes"

…it is the key to understanding the truth, which Peter is communicating.

He is telling us that Baptism represents a complete break with our past life.

As the Flood in Noah's day (vs. 20) wiped away the old sinful world, so baptism is a picture of a person's break from his old sinful life and his entrance into new life in Christ.

Paul shares the same truth in Romans 6

Rom. 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?

Rom. 6:2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

Rom. 6:3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

Rom. 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Rom. 6:5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,

Both Peter and Paul tell us that water baptism is picture, or symbol, of what has happened in the life of a Christian in the realm of the Spirit.

Ex. Water baptism

Down under = dying to the old nature

Raised up = resurrected to a new nature

So, when a person is water baptized they become and active participant in a symbol of what has transpired in their life.

√ But!

Some will point out that Peter says in vs. 21 that baptism…

"saves us"

That's where we need to read the rest of the verse - context! Peter gives us his commentary on what he meant by that.

"(not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God)"

Peter very plainly tells us that baptism doesn't have the power to cleanse our flesh - that old nature - save us from sin.

Rather, baptism saves us from a guilty conscience!

Note that the context of Peter's instructions beginning in vs. 8 regards how Christians are to act under persecution.

Ex. Baptism a public declaration of faith in Christ

Many Christians at the time of Peter's writing were suffering persecution for their faith.

Many new believers found it easier to be a "secret" follower of Christ than risk the persecution that would come of a public confession of faith through baptism.

Yet, having chosen to not be baptized they found that they lived with a guilty conscience.

Mt. 10:32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.

Mt. 10:33 “But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

So, Peter encourages Christians to have the courage to make a public stand for Jesus through water baptism…

…even if it meant that they would become the objects of persecution.

Ap. Honor God

Ex. The woman pilot shot down in the Gulf War

"There are worse things than death, like dishonor"

Christian, it is our privilege to let the whole world know that we have chosen to follow Christ. Don't let the fear of Man keep you from demonstrating your love for Jesus.

Baptism can't save us

√ What about!?

Those who teach that baptism is essential for salvation also like to use Acts 2:38 as a proof text.

Some go so far as to say that a person must be baptized…

"In Jesus Name"

…or they aren't really saved.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Admittedly that sounds like Peter is telling the crowd in Jerusalem that forgiveness of sins is the result of repentance and baptism in Jesus' Name.

However, without getting into the complexity of the Greek in this verse we can simply "compare scripture with scripture" and see that this cannot be what Peter meant.

Ex. Saved by faith alone

Peter in the home of Cornelius

Acts 10:43 “To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”

Acts 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.

Acts 10:45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.

Acts 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered,

Acts 10:47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”

Note that in vs. 43 Peter declares that a person is saved by belief in Jesus…

" through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins"

…and that God confirms that truth by saving the Gentiles to who Peter was preaching before they had a chance to be water baptized!

√ "In Jesus' Name"

The Samaritan believers - water baptized by Philip when they confessed faith in Jesus, yet did not receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

The point, these people were saved (otherwise Philip would not have baptized them), yet, they had not yet received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Yet, they had been baptized in the "name of Jesus"!

Ap. Baptism - no formula

Water baptism is a sign, or a symbol, of the reality of what has transpired in the life of a believer.

There are no "formulas" for baptism.

"In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit".

"In Jesus Name"

We find the disciples doing both in the book of Acts.

The important thing is to be baptized as a public confession of your faith…

…not for salvation but for your witness.

Ex. Wedding ring

It's a sign, or symbol that I'm married. Taking it off, or losing it, doesn't mean I'm no longer married.

Baptism is the same. It's a sign, or symbol of the new covenant I've entered into with Jesus. I've given Him my life and He has given me salvation.

So, whether I'm baptized or not doesn't effect my spiritual standing.

In fact, a person can be baptized and not be saved!

√ Jesus and Paul didn't make baptism an issue

Whenever we find a controversial issue like this it's always good to look at the conduct of Jesus and His disciples to get a better understanding for our own conduct.

Jesus

John 4:1 Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John

John 4:2 (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples),

Ap. If Jesus didn't make water baptism a corner stone of His ministry…why should we?

Paul

1Cor. 1:14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,

1Cor. 1:15 lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name.

1Cor. 1:16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other.

1Cor. 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

1Cor. 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Ap. If the greatest evangelist of Church history didn't make baptism an essential part of his salvation message…

…why should we?

√ The power of the Cross

One of the subtle truths that Paul makes known here, and is so often missed by those who say that we must be baptized to be saved…

…is that by requiring baptism as a means of salvation in effect makes the cross of Christ powerless!

Note again vs. 17 & 18.

The question is…

"Is the work of Christ on the Cross sufficient to save us from our sins?"

To require baptism, or any ritual, or sacrament as necessary for salvation is to say that what Jesus did on the Cross was somehow not good enough to save us!

The last words spoken by Jesus on the Cross was…

"It is finished"

…not…

"It is begun"!

Jesus did everything necessary to provide the complete means for saving a person from their sins and is available to anyone who would trust in Him!

Including…begin baptized Himself!

Mat. 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.

Mat. 3:14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”

Mat. 3:15 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.

Baptism - why do it?

1) Jesus asked us to.

Mat. 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,

Mat. 28:20 “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Ap. If it means something to Jesus then I want to do it!

Out of obedience, out of love, that I might declare to the whole world my faith and love for Jesus.

2) Clean conscience

As Peter told us in our text back in 1 Peter 3:20-22 we'll have a clean conscience when we make a public declaration of our faith.

Ap. God grants boldness and power to those who make a stand for Jesus.

√ When?

We do a baptism at least once a year, however, if you can't wait till then I'll baptize you whenever we can set up a time and place to do it.

Ex. Feeding trough, lake, river, pool, etc.

√ Important stuff!

At issue is the means of salvation. Throughout the history of the Church Men have tried to take the place of Jesus and make themselves the dispensers of God's Grace and salvation.

Ex. Requiring church membership, baptism by sprinkling, by water, in "Jesus Name', in our group, etc.

Ap. You are saved by faith in Jesus and nothing more!