21 Corresponding to that [rescue through the flood], baptism [which is an expression of a believer’s new life in Christ] now [a]saves you, not by removing dirt from the body, but by an appeal to God for a good (clear) conscience, [demonstrating what you believe to be yours] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God [that is, the place of honor and authority], with [all] angels and authorities and powers made subservient to Him.
1 Peter 3:21-22 (AMP) 中文
Flood like baptism
We just learned about Jesus, the suffering substitute. Peter gave the example of Noah’s family at the time of the flood. They were the only ones to escape – despite God’s patience for 120 years. “The flood in Noah’s day was a type (i.e., a divinely intended foreshadowing) of baptism. God washed away from the earth its past evils and sins with the Flood, and Noah and his family could start life anew.” (Constable Commentary) That flood represents the baptism of believers. It is an “expression of a believer’s new life in Christ”. It is not a washing of the body, but a sign of the cleansing of sin.
What is baptism?
Now, there are various questions about and ways to be baptised.
- How/when to be baptised? Some, like Catholics, Presbyterians and Lutherans, believe in infant baptism. Most evangelical Bible-believing Christians believe in “believer’s baptism” where only those who have confessed sin, repent and believe in Christ as Savior get baptised. This fits the Bible most closely. The only Biblical accounts of baptism are of believers being baptised.
- Does baptism save? Citing this passage, some believe that baptism saves you or you need to be baptised to be saved. In Taiwan, this is a very common theology. Catholics, to an extent, believe this. This is not Biblical. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone. Nothing we do, not even obedience in being baptised, contributes (Eph 2:8-9). We are baptised after we believe and are saved.
- Purpose of baptism? It does not forgive sin. Rather, it is a step of obedience that those who have professed faith in Christ for salvation take to testify publicly that they have decided to trust Christ.
Authority
As this chapter ends, Peter points us back to Christ, seated on His throne in Heaven at the right hand of God. In this position, all angels, authorities and powers are subject to Him. That is to say, He is Lord of all. And thank God He is resurrected and in Heaven. If He didn’t rise from the dead, as Paul says, our faith would be in vein and we’d have no hope. (1 Corinthians 15:12-19) And Hebrews 7:25 tells us He is now interceding for us who come to the Father through Him.
RЯeflection
- Have you been baptised as a believer? If not, consider this a call to obedience to be baptised. Talk to your pastor about it. Make sure you understand the reason for baptism…and arrange to get baptised.
- If you were baptised as an infant, consider this teaching and read more in the Bible about the command and purpose of baptism. You should also ask your pastor about being baptised as a believer. Hopefully you attend a church that believes the whole Bible is God’s Word.
