1 Peter 3: Baptism and Salvation

What does Peter mean when he writes: “Baptism…now saves you”? Understanding why he corresponds this sacrament with the waters of the flood can help bring some clarity.

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TRANSCRIPT:
In 1 Peter 3:18-22 Peter writes:

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. 1 Peter 3:18–22

In another video, we looked at how Peter used the preaching of the resurrected Jesus to the spirits in prison in Noah’s day as an example of the victory for believers that is on the other side of suffering and death. In this one, we’ll examine how he uses the waters of the flood to illustrate the significance of baptism, which is also a demonstration of Christ’s victory over all things, which he shares with his people.

When we read through this quickly, we might think that Peter is saying that the rite of baptism saves a person. But at the Jerusalem Council Peter stated unequivocally, “we believe that we Jews will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as Gentiles will.” Saved by grace through faith, as Paul would put it. Nevertheless, both Peter and Paul considered baptism to be a spiritually significant step for new converts, as evidenced by the emphasis placed on it in Acts and its close association with initial faith in Christ. [Some early Christians struggled to understand how baptism could have real significance and yet not be necessary for salvation. This is demonstrated by the Corinthians, who seem to have been baptizing people on behalf of dead believers who had been unable get baptized before they died. This baptism on behalf of the dead (both Paul and Peter would say) is totally is totally unnecessary.

For salvation, baptism is not essential, but it nevertheless has real significance.

#1Peter #savedbyjesus #thebibleeffect

[EugeneHolley-rcry]

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes, not water baptism, you are calling God a liar. 1 John 5:10-13.

[lissarx]

The apostle Paul was not saved until he was baptized. He believed in Jesus after seeing him on the road to Damascus, yet Annanias still had to come to him and ask him, “Paul why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins calling on the name of the Lord.” Baptism is not a work, it is a command. It is found in every single conversion in the Bible. The thief on the cross died while Jesus was still on earth, actively forgiving sins. That exact situation with the thief no longer applies today…the Bible says baptism is a part of our salvation. Now that Jesus is in heaven with the father, according to the Bible, we are to hear the word, believe, repent, be baptized, and remain faithful.

[newtestamentchristian]

Acts 10:47-48 water baptism is commanded by Peter. Peter was instructed by the Holy Spirit, Luke 24:49. Jesus commanded water baptism in His gospel, Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:18-20, . To say water baptism is non- essential, is saying obedience to Gods direct commands is unnecessary to be saved. This womens salvation doctrine has us being saved without obeying Gods commandments. Who would teach you, you can be saved without obeying a direct commandment of God? Salvation through disobedience is the gospel she is teaching.

[steverentfrow]

Thanks for the video. Yes, the scriptures say quite clearly that "Baptism now saves you"

I think there are some important things to point out. It is a common contemporary view that looks at the material things as merely signs of the spiritual things. Thus the belief that signs are an aid to our faith but do not communicate that which is signified.

The comparison Peter makes with the flood actually makes the flood of Noah's day the sign and type of baptism, "Which now saves you".

Noah and his family were actually truly saved by water. The water washed away the wicked and at the same time lifted Noah and his family up off the cursed earth. The water saved them since they were in the ark.

Peter is saying we are saved by baptism. Baptism places you into Jesus, our Ark. True, it's not the power of the water no more than the water of the Jordan had the ability to cleanse Naaman the leper of his leperousy. But the promise that Naaman would be healed dipping in that water communicated healing to Naaman only after he entered that water where the promise was for his healing. It was a miracle; God used that water to give healing, and that was by His grace through faith in that promise.

Because God used means (Water) doesn't mean it wasn't by grace, and because Naaman dipped in the water where his promised healing was, doesn't mean it wasn't through faith. It would be foolish to think so.

Naaman at first thought it was ridiculous to dip in the Jordan to be healed, just as many think being baptized is ridiculous to be saved. He said that there were better waters in Syria, his homeland, just as we think there are better ways than God’s chosen means.

After Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost the people were cut to the heart and cried, "Men and brethren what shall we do?" Peter answered, “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. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:37-39)

Could we even imagine such a scenario where after Peter says that they will receive the Holy Spirit in baptism, the people ask, "Is baptism necessary?" Or after the realization that Jesus was raised from the dead, then say "How can God use water to do such a thing?" Could you imagine one of them saying, "No thanks, I'm saved by faith"? That would be rejecting the grace of God, and that wouldn't be faith at all.

Gnostic beliefs have crept into the church that deny God's use of His promised means and so seek as it were "Better waters" than God's chosen means.

What is promised in baptism? Forgiveness of sins, the Holy Spirit to reside in us, and as the seal for the day of redemption, a good conscience before God, united in Christ's death to be raised with Him, clothed with Christ, having Jesus as our helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness... a sign, yes; but more than a sign, it gives you what is signified, death and resurrection in Christ.

In the words of Naaman's servant "If he would have asked you to do something great, wouldn't you have done it? How much more simply wash and be clean?"

Jesus has come to us in the flesh, is He therefore not God come to us, because God is Spirit? That would be a Gnostic thought.

God came to us by means of being made Man, flesh and bone. He shed His blood and water at the cross and we are truly and surely, by the grace of God in the word of promise (In those baptismal waters), united to Him. Faith partakes of that gift, The Word, through those means, water and word (That's a baptism) which God has chosen.

Do you think baptism to be less a miracle than Naamen's dipping in the Jordan. His dipping wasn't a type or sign of his healing only, it gave him healing. Baptism does whatthe scriptures say. "Baptism now saves you".

That's why after the preaching of Philip, the Ethiopian says "Here's water, what prevents me from being baptized?" He believed the gospel and he obeyed the gospel being baptized. He then Immediately went his way rejoicing because he knew he had the Spirit of God given to him in those waters of baptism. The Holy Spirit bearing witness by taking Philip away directly after the Ethiopian's baptism.

"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (MK 16:16

Can it be more clear?

Consider the clear word of God in the garden. "In the day you eat of it you shall surely die."

What was the Serpent's sermon?

"You shall not die..."

What is the clear word regarding baptism?

"Baptism now saves you"

How might the serpent twist this clear word into a lie?

"Baptism doesn't save you"

What does the clear word of Scripture say of the Lord's Supper?

"Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

How might the serpent twist this clear word into a lie?

"It's not his body and it's not his blood..."

I thank God this gnosticism hasn't yet denied that Jesus came in the flesh; but it is denying His words given through His chosen means.

We truly are saved by grace through faith and that not of ourselves it is the gift of God. That's how they were saved on the day of Pentecost; and that's how the Ethiopian was saved; and that's how we are saved.

So let us not reject the grace of God, as Peter would have rejected Jesus washing his feet; Let us believe and obey the gospel as Naaman obeyed the promise to him. This obedience is the gift of God in the Promise. Jesus said of Mary (Who was listening to His words) "She has DONE that which is needful; and it shall not be taken away.

The thief on the cross was given a promise that he will be with Jesus that day in Paradise. The promise is sufficient, it doesn't return void. It brings about what was promised.

Where are we personally given that promise? In baptism! He puts His Name on us, clothes us with Christ and seats us with Him in the heavenly places.

It's not about your faith rooted in your own faith. It's about the Promise given to us by sure and certain means.

What you do and what you believe will die and rot with you. It is only the word of promise given to us that will be fulfilled by that same Word given to us that will raise us up together with Him. That's why we call Him Lord and Savior; because He alone saves. The last word for righteousness is Jesus. He is the grace of God, our faith from first to last (He being the author and finisher of our faith ) and by His Spirit of Promise given in word and sacrament we count Him faithful who has promised.

[EugeneHolley-rcry]

My comment was not for you as it seems, I was thinking I was replying to someone else, sorry.

[jackkalleberg]

The immediate problem with this video is the reference to Acts 15:11 as a refutation of the saving power of baptism. To understand Peter correctly we must know and confess that Peter and all of the Apostles understood baptism to be God's "means" of grace". We should also understand that baptism is not "man's work" but rather "God's work in us". This understanding brings Act 15:11 into concordance with 1 Peter 3:21.

She says baptism is not essential. This is entirely false. If baptism saves, as it is clearly stated in 1 Peter 3:21, and is commanded by Christ, then a proper theologian must conclude that it is essential and necessary. And this remains true even as Christ has the means to save people before baptism because of their repentance. However, any person who repents should desire baptism immediately. Likewise, any person who claims to be a Christian and refuses baptism is clearly not obedient and faithful to Christ. And any person who is baptized (adult, child, or infant) receives the forgiveness of sin and the Holy Spirit who teaches us to believe in Christ's promise.

[amandagcharles]

Baptism is 100% necessary for salvation the bible speaks very clearly on that and in many verses, you are lying to people and leading them astray. Yes Grace saves us but you do not obtain grace without loving God. and " If you Love me keep my Commandments" John 14:15. Baptism is a Commandment, it isn't the only thing that saves you just as faith or grace is not the only thing that saves you. If I was going to bake a cake and looked at the recipe and it said: flour, eggs, butter and milk and I threw eggs and butter in a pan and put it in the over.... I do not have a cake. you need the whole recipe. The whole picture, not one verse about salvation when there are many.

[johnturpin]

I think y’all missed chapter 1. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who according to His great mercy CAUSED us to be born again. You had nothing to do with your first birth but you wanna have control of the new birth. It’s not about you 🤭 #savedbygrace

[Democracyofthedead]

Notice how when people tell you that baptism does not save, they never reference passages from Sacred Scripture that actually talk about baptism.

Or they tell you that when Sacred Scripture states that baptism saves, or that baptism forgives sins, etc., it can’t mean what it seems to be saying.

Lastly, they never site a passage of Sacred Scripture which says baptism does not save, does not forgive sin, does not regenerate the soul and so on. That’s because those passages do not exist.

[stevemwas]

Do you think you are diving the scriptures is a commandments no salvation without it baptism is for grown ups not kids acts 2 have the answers