Baptism now saves you
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It is not about water baptism when water is used for the removal of the dirt/filth from the flesh; and so it is about the baptism with the Holy Ghost as promised at our salvation for coming to & believing in Jesus Christ... that by believing in the resurrection of Jesus Christ which is the answer of a good conscience towards God is how we had received that baptism.
1 Peter 3:[SUP]21 [/SUP]The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
1 Peter 3:[SUP]21 [/SUP]The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Jesus baptises with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
"Does 1 Peter 3:21 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?
As with any single verse or passage, we discern what it teaches by first filtering it through what we know the Bible teaches on the subject at hand. In the case of baptism and salvation, the Bible is clear that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of any kind, including baptism (Ephesians 2:8-9). So, any interpretation which comes to the conclusion that baptism, or any other act, is necessary for salvation, is a faulty interpretation.
Those who believe that baptism is required for salvation are quick to use 1 Peter 3:21 as a “proof text,” because it states “baptism now saves you.” Was Peter really saying that the act of being baptized is what saves us? If he were, he would be contradicting many other passages of Scripture that clearly show people being saved (as evidenced by their receiving the Holy Spirit) prior to being baptized or without being baptized at all (like the thief on the cross in Luke 23:39-43). A good example of someone who was saved before being baptized is Cornelius and his household in Acts 10. We know that they were saved before being baptized because they had received the Holy Spirit, which is the evidence of salvation (Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13; 1 John 3:24). The evidence of their salvation was the reason Peter allowed them to be baptized. Countless passages of Scripture clearly teach that salvation comes when one believes in the gospel, at which time he or she is sealed “in Christ with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13).
Thankfully, though, we don’t have to guess at what Peter means in this verse because he clarifies that for us with the phrase “not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience.” While Peter is connecting baptism with salvation, it is not the act of being baptized that he is referring to (not the removal of dirt from the flesh). Being immersed in water does nothing but wash away dirt. What Peter is referring to is what baptism represents, which is what saves us (an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ). In other words, Peter is simply connecting baptism with belief. It is not the getting-wet part that saves but is the “appeal to God for a clean conscience” which is signified by baptism, that saves us. The appeal to God always comes first. First belief and repentance, then we are baptized to publicly identify ourselves with Christ.
An excellent explanation of this passage is given by Dr. Kenneth Wuest, author of Word Studies in the Greek New Testament. “Water baptism is clearly in the apostle's mind, not the baptism by the Holy Spirit, for he speaks of the waters of the flood as saving the inmates of the ark, and in this verse, of baptism saving believers. But he says that it saves them only as a counterpart. That is, water baptism is the counterpart of the reality, salvation. It can only save as a counterpart, not actually. The Old Testament sacrifices were counterparts of the reality, the Lord Jesus. They did not actually save the believer, only in type. It is not argued here that these sacrifices are analogous to Christian water baptism. The author is merely using them as an illustration of the use of the word 'counterpart.'
"So water baptism only saves the believer in type. The Old Testament Jew was saved before he brought the offering. That offering was only his outward testimony that he was placing faith in the Lamb of God of whom these sacrifices were a type....Water baptism is the outward testimony of the believer's inward faith. The person is saved the moment he places his faith in the Lord Jesus. Water baptism is the visible testimony to his faith and the salvation he was given in answer to that faith. Peter is careful to inform his readers that he is not teaching baptismal regeneration, namely, that a person who submits to baptism is thereby regenerated, for he says, 'not the putting away of the filth of the flesh.' Baptism, Peter explains, does not wash away the filth of the flesh, either in a literal sense as a bath for the body, nor in a metaphorical sense as a cleansing for the soul. No ceremonies really affect the conscience. But he defines what he means by salvation, in the words 'the answer of a good conscience toward God," and he explains how this is accomplished, namely, 'by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,' in that the believing sinner is identified with Him in that resurrection.”
Part of the confusion on this passage comes from the fact that in many ways the purpose of baptism as a public declaration of one’s faith in Christ and identification with Him has been replaced by “making a decision for Christ” or “praying a sinner’s prayer.” Baptism has been relegated to something that is done later. Yet to Peter or any of the first-century Christians, the idea that a person would confess Christ as his Savior and not be baptized as soon as possible would have been unheard of. Therefore, it is not surprising that Peter would see baptism as almost synonymous with salvation. Yet Peter makes it clear in this verse that it is not the ritual itself that saves, but the fact that we are united with Christ in His resurrection through faith, “the pledge of a good conscience toward God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21).
Therefore, the baptism that Peter says saves us is the one that is preceded by faith in the propitiatory sacrifice of Christ that justifies the unrighteous sinner (Romans 3:25-26; 4:5). Baptism is the outward sign of what God has done “by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). https://www.gotquestions.org/baptism-1Peter-3-21.html
See Also: Does Galatians 3:27 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?
Does Acts 2:38 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?
Does Mark 16:16 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?
Does John 3:5 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?
Does Acts 22:16 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?
"Does 1 Peter 3:21 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?
As with any single verse or passage, we discern what it teaches by first filtering it through what we know the Bible teaches on the subject at hand. In the case of baptism and salvation, the Bible is clear that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of any kind, including baptism (Ephesians 2:8-9). So, any interpretation which comes to the conclusion that baptism, or any other act, is necessary for salvation, is a faulty interpretation.
Those who believe that baptism is required for salvation are quick to use 1 Peter 3:21 as a “proof text,” because it states “baptism now saves you.” Was Peter really saying that the act of being baptized is what saves us? If he were, he would be contradicting many other passages of Scripture that clearly show people being saved (as evidenced by their receiving the Holy Spirit) prior to being baptized or without being baptized at all (like the thief on the cross in Luke 23:39-43). A good example of someone who was saved before being baptized is Cornelius and his household in Acts 10. We know that they were saved before being baptized because they had received the Holy Spirit, which is the evidence of salvation (Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13; 1 John 3:24). The evidence of their salvation was the reason Peter allowed them to be baptized. Countless passages of Scripture clearly teach that salvation comes when one believes in the gospel, at which time he or she is sealed “in Christ with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13).
Thankfully, though, we don’t have to guess at what Peter means in this verse because he clarifies that for us with the phrase “not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience.” While Peter is connecting baptism with salvation, it is not the act of being baptized that he is referring to (not the removal of dirt from the flesh). Being immersed in water does nothing but wash away dirt. What Peter is referring to is what baptism represents, which is what saves us (an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ). In other words, Peter is simply connecting baptism with belief. It is not the getting-wet part that saves but is the “appeal to God for a clean conscience” which is signified by baptism, that saves us. The appeal to God always comes first. First belief and repentance, then we are baptized to publicly identify ourselves with Christ.
An excellent explanation of this passage is given by Dr. Kenneth Wuest, author of Word Studies in the Greek New Testament. “Water baptism is clearly in the apostle's mind, not the baptism by the Holy Spirit, for he speaks of the waters of the flood as saving the inmates of the ark, and in this verse, of baptism saving believers. But he says that it saves them only as a counterpart. That is, water baptism is the counterpart of the reality, salvation. It can only save as a counterpart, not actually. The Old Testament sacrifices were counterparts of the reality, the Lord Jesus. They did not actually save the believer, only in type. It is not argued here that these sacrifices are analogous to Christian water baptism. The author is merely using them as an illustration of the use of the word 'counterpart.'
"So water baptism only saves the believer in type. The Old Testament Jew was saved before he brought the offering. That offering was only his outward testimony that he was placing faith in the Lamb of God of whom these sacrifices were a type....Water baptism is the outward testimony of the believer's inward faith. The person is saved the moment he places his faith in the Lord Jesus. Water baptism is the visible testimony to his faith and the salvation he was given in answer to that faith. Peter is careful to inform his readers that he is not teaching baptismal regeneration, namely, that a person who submits to baptism is thereby regenerated, for he says, 'not the putting away of the filth of the flesh.' Baptism, Peter explains, does not wash away the filth of the flesh, either in a literal sense as a bath for the body, nor in a metaphorical sense as a cleansing for the soul. No ceremonies really affect the conscience. But he defines what he means by salvation, in the words 'the answer of a good conscience toward God," and he explains how this is accomplished, namely, 'by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,' in that the believing sinner is identified with Him in that resurrection.”
Part of the confusion on this passage comes from the fact that in many ways the purpose of baptism as a public declaration of one’s faith in Christ and identification with Him has been replaced by “making a decision for Christ” or “praying a sinner’s prayer.” Baptism has been relegated to something that is done later. Yet to Peter or any of the first-century Christians, the idea that a person would confess Christ as his Savior and not be baptized as soon as possible would have been unheard of. Therefore, it is not surprising that Peter would see baptism as almost synonymous with salvation. Yet Peter makes it clear in this verse that it is not the ritual itself that saves, but the fact that we are united with Christ in His resurrection through faith, “the pledge of a good conscience toward God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21).
Therefore, the baptism that Peter says saves us is the one that is preceded by faith in the propitiatory sacrifice of Christ that justifies the unrighteous sinner (Romans 3:25-26; 4:5). Baptism is the outward sign of what God has done “by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). https://www.gotquestions.org/baptism-1Peter-3-21.html
See Also: Does Galatians 3:27 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?
Does Acts 2:38 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?
Does Mark 16:16 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?
Does John 3:5 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?
Does Acts 22:16 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?
Hi Trofimus,
Here's another view which I believe handles the passage within its context. The commentary is from bible.org and the commentator is Steven Cole. He's a pastor in Flagstaff.
The reason that many of Peter’s readers were suffering was that they had borne witness to their faith in Christ through baptism. Perhaps some had confessed Christ verbally, but were hesitant to confess Him through baptism because they had seen what had happened to others.
So Peter here is urging these persecuted Christians to make public confession of their faith through baptism.
Peter is using the flood and deliverance of Noah and his family as a loose analogy or type of what is portrayed in Christian salvation and baptism. Just as Noah passed through the flood waters into salvation from God’s judgment, so believers pass through baptism into salvation from God’s judgment.
But, before you leap to wrong conclusions, Peter clarifies—it is not the act of baptism which saves (“the removal of dirt from the flesh”), but what baptism signifies—the appeal to God for a good conscience.
“Appeal” can point either to the moment of salvation, when a person cries out to God for cleansing from sin; or, to the pledge given at the baptismal ceremony, when a person promises to live in a manner pleasing to God.
Either way, baptism testifies to our faith in Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice on our behalf (3:18).
Since Christ’s suffering did not minimize His witness, but rather enhanced it, Peter is urging his readers to be baptized, even if it means persecution, in order to bear witness of Christ’s saving grace.
https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-18-difficult-passage-explained-and-applied-1-peter-318-22
better with more context
. . . keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.
For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you — not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience — through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.
(1 Peter 3:16-21)
For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you — not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience — through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.
(1 Peter 3:16-21)
R
This is why it's important to only use a King James bible.
1 Peter 3.20-21
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
The Baptism that Saves
a. The figure: God is longsuffering, many reject the warnings, a few are saved
b. Water baptism was required – Mat 3:11, Mark 16:16, Luke 7:29-30
c. Water baptism was for the remission of sins – Mark 1:4, Acts 2:38, 22:16
d. Baptism saved them because of the name not the water– Mat 28:19-20, Mark 2:7
e. Not the filth, but the conscious (of sins) – Eze 36:25, Heb 9:13-14, 10:1-2
f. A good conscious before God is the point! – 1 Peter 3:16
g. Without Jesus’ resurrection the baptism was pointless – 1 Peter 3:22 & 1:3
Baptism was part of the believing remnant's gospel, ie. Peter's gospel and the Little Flock. This is not the body of Christ's gospel, ie. Paul's gospel. We are baptized by the holy Spirit. We have a spiritual baptism. Israel has a physical one...hence water being used.
[video=youtube;i5YLtrAAfyw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5YLtrAAfyw[/video]
1 Peter 3.20-21
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
The Baptism that Saves
a. The figure: God is longsuffering, many reject the warnings, a few are saved
b. Water baptism was required – Mat 3:11, Mark 16:16, Luke 7:29-30
c. Water baptism was for the remission of sins – Mark 1:4, Acts 2:38, 22:16
d. Baptism saved them because of the name not the water– Mat 28:19-20, Mark 2:7
e. Not the filth, but the conscious (of sins) – Eze 36:25, Heb 9:13-14, 10:1-2
f. A good conscious before God is the point! – 1 Peter 3:16
g. Without Jesus’ resurrection the baptism was pointless – 1 Peter 3:22 & 1:3
Baptism was part of the believing remnant's gospel, ie. Peter's gospel and the Little Flock. This is not the body of Christ's gospel, ie. Paul's gospel. We are baptized by the holy Spirit. We have a spiritual baptism. Israel has a physical one...hence water being used.
[video=youtube;i5YLtrAAfyw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5YLtrAAfyw[/video]
Baptism is spiritual birth. When we obey God in baptism He performs a surgery called "circumcision of the heart" (Colossians 2). But it is not physical. It is not about cleaning dirt from our body, but about cleaning our soul by cutting the "foreskin" of sin from our hearts.
When we are baptized we join Christ in His death (Romans 6:3)- which is where we come in contact with His life saving blood that He shed in His death. This is the only way we get in Christ- we are baptized into Christ. And those in Christ will be saved.
"These are those who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
When we are baptized we join Christ in His death (Romans 6:3)- which is where we come in contact with His life saving blood that He shed in His death. This is the only way we get in Christ- we are baptized into Christ. And those in Christ will be saved.
"These are those who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:"
The thing to get in your head is that the word baptism means 'to wash'. It is not talking about a physical ritual at all. Rather, it is talking about having our sins washed away. There is no public ritual at all here following any belief. Rather, it is saying that Jesus died for the ungodly to wash away their sins and that this accompanies belief, which itself is given by the Holy Spirit. To say that spirits are in prison is Bible lingo for saying that people are unsaved, in prison to sin. But Jesus came and preached the gospel to them and souls were saved. They had their sins washed away, not physical dirt from any kind of physical ritual. Incidentally, the days of Noah are a picture of the days of the son of Man (Luke 17:26), so this scripture about Jesus preaching by the Holy Spirit to save the unsaved is not about the olden days alone.
The thing to get in your head is that the word baptism means 'to wash'. It is not talking about a physical ritual at all. Rather, it is talking about having our sins washed away. There is no public ritual at all here following any belief. Rather, it is saying that Jesus died for the ungodly to wash away their sins and that this accompanies belief, which itself is given by the Holy Spirit. To say that spirits are in prison is Bible lingo for saying that people are unsaved, in prison to sin. But Jesus came and preached the gospel to them and souls were saved. They had their sins washed away, not physical dirt from any kind of physical ritual. Incidentally, the days of Noah are a picture of the days of the son of Man (Luke 17:26), so this scripture about Jesus preaching by the Holy Spirit to save the unsaved is not about the olden days alone.
I also meant to mention that when the 1 Peter 3 verse talks about eight souls being saved by water it is painting a picture for us of how God's word declares a saved person washed free from sin. You see, the term 'water' in the Bible here is referring to the word of God. We see the term water meaning the word of God in Ephesians 5:26: "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,". We get a similar meaning when we read: "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.". This does not mean now you are physically clean from physical dirt. Rather, the Bible uses the buzzword 'clean' to describe how saved persons have had their sins washed away. So when the Bible says that persons are saved by water, it is meaning persons are saved by Christ's word that declares them washed free from the spiritual stain of sin. They are forgiven.
1Pe 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
1Pe 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up 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 planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
We have to identify with the man Christ Jesus in His death,burial,and resurrection,by repenting,being water baptized,and receiving the Holy Spirit.
The thief on the cross did not have to be water baptized,it was bypassed,for he had no way to get to it,for he was hanging on a cross,like certain instances baptism can be bypassed,like if a person passes away before they could get to it,lack of understanding the word,but confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior,but if a person can get to baptism they have to for we have to identify with the man Christ Jesus.
Some people will say but baptism is a work,but it is not for it is part of the plan of salvation,like repenting,and receiving the Spirit,which water baptism is for the remission of sins.
Luke said to baptize in Jesus' name,in the book of Acts,Jews,Samaritans,and Gentiles,were all baptized in Jesus' name.
In the Old Testament God said one day the Jews would know His name,behold it is I that does speak,and Jesus said,I am come in My Father's name,and the prophet Agur said in the Old Testament,what is His name,and what is His Son's name,if you can tell,and the Son inherited the name from the Father,and the Holy Spirit comes in the name of Jesus.
1Pe 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up 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 planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
We have to identify with the man Christ Jesus in His death,burial,and resurrection,by repenting,being water baptized,and receiving the Holy Spirit.
The thief on the cross did not have to be water baptized,it was bypassed,for he had no way to get to it,for he was hanging on a cross,like certain instances baptism can be bypassed,like if a person passes away before they could get to it,lack of understanding the word,but confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior,but if a person can get to baptism they have to for we have to identify with the man Christ Jesus.
Some people will say but baptism is a work,but it is not for it is part of the plan of salvation,like repenting,and receiving the Spirit,which water baptism is for the remission of sins.
Luke said to baptize in Jesus' name,in the book of Acts,Jews,Samaritans,and Gentiles,were all baptized in Jesus' name.
In the Old Testament God said one day the Jews would know His name,behold it is I that does speak,and Jesus said,I am come in My Father's name,and the prophet Agur said in the Old Testament,what is His name,and what is His Son's name,if you can tell,and the Son inherited the name from the Father,and the Holy Spirit comes in the name of Jesus.
1 Peter 3:21 tells us that baptism now saves you, yet when Peter uses this phrase he continues in the same sentence to explain exactly what he means by it. He says that baptism now saves you-not the removal of dirt from the flesh (that is, not as an outward, physical act which washes dirt from the body--that is not what saves you), "but an appeal to God for a good conscience" (that is, as an inward, spiritual transaction between God and the individual, a transaction that is symbolized by the outward ceremony of water baptism).
We could paraphrase Peter's statement by saying, "Baptism now saves you--not the outward physical ceremony of baptism but the inward spiritual reality which baptism represents." By saying, "not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience - through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Peter guards against saving power to the physical ceremony itself. So in 1 Peter 3:21; it's not the water itself that saves us, but the "appeal-to-God-for-good-conscience".
Just as the eight people in the ark were "saved THROUGH water" as they were IN THE ARK. They were not literally saved "by" the water. Hebrews 11:7 is clear on this point (..built an ark for the SAVING of his household). NOTE: The context reveals that ONLY the righteous (Noah and his family) were DRY and therefore SAFE. In contrast, ONLY THE WICKED IN NOAH'S DAY CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE WATER AND THEY ALL PERISHED
We could paraphrase Peter's statement by saying, "Baptism now saves you--not the outward physical ceremony of baptism but the inward spiritual reality which baptism represents." By saying, "not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience - through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Peter guards against saving power to the physical ceremony itself. So in 1 Peter 3:21; it's not the water itself that saves us, but the "appeal-to-God-for-good-conscience".
Just as the eight people in the ark were "saved THROUGH water" as they were IN THE ARK. They were not literally saved "by" the water. Hebrews 11:7 is clear on this point (..built an ark for the SAVING of his household). NOTE: The context reveals that ONLY the righteous (Noah and his family) were DRY and therefore SAFE. In contrast, ONLY THE WICKED IN NOAH'S DAY CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE WATER AND THEY ALL PERISHED
See post #13.
In regards to Romans 6:3-5, Greek scholar AT Robertson explains - Baptism is the public proclamation of one's inward spiritual relation to Christ attained before the baptism. See on "Galatians 3:27" where it is like putting on an outward garment or uniform. Into his death (ei ton qanaton autou). So here "unto his death," "in relation to his death," which relation Paul proceeds to explain by the symbolism of the ordinance. The picture in baptism points two ways, backwards to Christ's death and burial and to our death to sin, forward to Christ's resurrection from the dead and to our new life pledged by the coming out of the watery grave to walk on the other side of the baptismal grave. There is the further picture of our own resurrection from the grave. It is a tragedy that Paul's majestic picture here has been so blurred by controversy that some refuse to see it. It should be said also that a symbol is not the reality, but the picture of the reality.
He who believes and is baptized will be saved (general cases without making a qualification for the unusual case of someone who believes but is not baptized) but he who does not believe will be condemned. The omission of baptized with "does not believe" shows that Jesus does not make baptism absolutely essential to salvation. Condemnation rests on unbelief, not on a lack of baptism. So salvation rests on belief. NOWHERE does the Bible say "baptized or condemned." If water baptism is absolutely required for salvation, then why did Jesus not mention it in the following verses? (3:15,16,18; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26). What is the ONE requirement that Jesus mentions 9 different times in each of these complete statements? BELIEVES. *What happened to baptism? *Hermeneutics. John 3:18 - He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who (is not water baptized? - NO) does not believe is condemned already, because he has not (been water baptized? - NO) because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
It's not about must or else, but will, unless we don't get the opportunity, like the thief on the cross. We receive the Holy Spirit when we repent and believe the gospel prior to receiving water baptism (Acts 10:43-47; 11:17,18; Ephesians 1:13).
At least you admit that not everyone will have the opportunity to receive water baptism upon conversion (like the thief on the cross). Genuine believers have no trouble identifying with Jesus Christ in baptism so it's not about must or else. I couldn't wait to get water baptized after I received Christ through faith!
If water baptism is not a work, then what is it? Just a nothing? No work gets accomplished when we get water baptized? If water baptism is absolutely necessary for salvation, then we would be saved by a work of righteousness and we are not saved by "works of righteousness" which we have done (Titus 3:5). By Jesus getting water baptized, it was a part of Him fulfilling all "righteousness" (Matthew 3:13-15).
And?
What does that have to do with salvation by water baptism?
In regards to Romans 6:3-5, Greek scholar AT Robertson explains - Baptism is the public proclamation of one's inward spiritual relation to Christ attained before the baptism. See on "Galatians 3:27" where it is like putting on an outward garment or uniform. Into his death (ei ton qanaton autou). So here "unto his death," "in relation to his death," which relation Paul proceeds to explain by the symbolism of the ordinance. The picture in baptism points two ways, backwards to Christ's death and burial and to our death to sin, forward to Christ's resurrection from the dead and to our new life pledged by the coming out of the watery grave to walk on the other side of the baptismal grave. There is the further picture of our own resurrection from the grave. It is a tragedy that Paul's majestic picture here has been so blurred by controversy that some refuse to see it. It should be said also that a symbol is not the reality, but the picture of the reality.
He who believes and is baptized will be saved (general cases without making a qualification for the unusual case of someone who believes but is not baptized) but he who does not believe will be condemned. The omission of baptized with "does not believe" shows that Jesus does not make baptism absolutely essential to salvation. Condemnation rests on unbelief, not on a lack of baptism. So salvation rests on belief. NOWHERE does the Bible say "baptized or condemned." If water baptism is absolutely required for salvation, then why did Jesus not mention it in the following verses? (3:15,16,18; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26). What is the ONE requirement that Jesus mentions 9 different times in each of these complete statements? BELIEVES. *What happened to baptism? *Hermeneutics. John 3:18 - He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who (is not water baptized? - NO) does not believe is condemned already, because he has not (been water baptized? - NO) because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
It's not about must or else, but will, unless we don't get the opportunity, like the thief on the cross. We receive the Holy Spirit when we repent and believe the gospel prior to receiving water baptism (Acts 10:43-47; 11:17,18; Ephesians 1:13).
At least you admit that not everyone will have the opportunity to receive water baptism upon conversion (like the thief on the cross). Genuine believers have no trouble identifying with Jesus Christ in baptism so it's not about must or else. I couldn't wait to get water baptized after I received Christ through faith!
If water baptism is not a work, then what is it? Just a nothing? No work gets accomplished when we get water baptized? If water baptism is absolutely necessary for salvation, then we would be saved by a work of righteousness and we are not saved by "works of righteousness" which we have done (Titus 3:5). By Jesus getting water baptized, it was a part of Him fulfilling all "righteousness" (Matthew 3:13-15).
And?
What does that have to do with salvation by water baptism?
S
I was baptized, that is full immersion, when I was 13
I was already spiritually reborn
it is my opinion you are throwing unrelated scripture into a pot, mixing, and coming out with a confusing doctrine that I am not sure I have even heard before
perhaps you are thinking of sanctification which is a lifelong process
being baptized in water, is a SYMBOL of identifying in death with Christ
when I read your post, I get the impression you seem to think that baptism is either a secondary salvation of some sort, or actual salvation, ie. we come into contact with His life saving blood when we are baptized...where does it say that in scripture?
either way, neither line up with scripture
feel free to correct me if I misunderstood
