Saved by Water

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Oct 31, 2015
2,290
588
113
1 Peter 3:20-21
“...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:”


I believe the water mentioned in 1 Peter 3:20-21 pertains to water baptism for the following reasons:

1.The water was the means God used to carry Noah and his family to safety. The sin of the world was washed away in the flood waters. The like figure or antitype is the NT water baptism. (Acts 2:38, 22:16)

2. Notice verse 21 makes specific mention of the process having nothing to do with the removal of filth from the flesh. (This is a reference to bath water) Thus, the comment points to a spiritual transaction taking place.

3. The scripture mentions that baptism is the answer of a good conscience toward God. Our own behavior, and in this particular case getting baptized, is what prompts a good conscience. The result is to be free of guilt. God is the giver of the Holy Ghost and we have no control over that other than asking for Him to give it.

4. Lastly, the scripture specifies this is only made possible by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

…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. 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, 1 Peter 3:20-21


  • while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism


The antitype being the water which destroyed, now saves ( delivers) us…


“Antitype” being the opposite, as contrasted by “type”… that which once destroyed, now saves us.



By saying “now” the Spirit is indicating that which was past being a detriment, is now a benefit.


The action of obedience to God’s word, (the obedience of faith) is what saved, (delivered) Noahs household.


By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. Hebrews 11:7








JPT
 

justbyfaith

Well-known member
Sep 16, 2021
4,707
462
83
It is saying that if water is the type, baptism is the antitype that is pointed to by the type.

That is what is meant by "antitype".
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
25,475
13,419
113
58
In 1 Peter 3:21, Peter 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 said 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, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (that is, as an inward, spiritual transaction between God and the individual, a transaction that is symbolized by the outward ceremony of water baptism).

*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). 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.

The Greek word “antitupon,” as used in I Peter 3:21, is “an adjective, used as a noun,” and denotes, in the NT, “a corresponding type,” being “said of baptism.” The circumstances of the flood, the ark and its occupants, formed a type, and baptism forms “a corresponding type.” Noah was saved by the ark “through (via) water.” Water was not the means of their salvation, but the ark. The ark is what both delivered and preserved them.
 

justbyfaith

Well-known member
Sep 16, 2021
4,707
462
83
Water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth for the remission of sins, truly does not remove dirt from the body (1 Peter 3:20-21)...

However, it does wash away sins (Acts 22:16).
 

justbyfaith

Well-known member
Sep 16, 2021
4,707
462
83

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
25,475
13,419
113
58
Not so excellent; since it provides an alternate interpretation to that which is faithful and true; deterring people from taking the simple step that might procure for them remission of sins and the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38-39).
Remission of sins is signified, yet not procured in the waters of baptism. (Acts 10:43-47) The only logical conclusion when properly harmonizing scripture with scripture is that faith in Jesus Christ implied in genuine repentance (rather than water baptism) brings the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 10:43-47; 11:17,18; 15:8,9; 16:31; 26:18) *Perfect Harmony*
 

justbyfaith

Well-known member
Sep 16, 2021
4,707
462
83
There is no reason why anyone should reject being baptized in Jesus' Name if given the opportunity...

Especially since baptism in Jesus' Name is the condition given for a conditional promise in holy scripture...the promise being remission of sins and the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38-39).

Therefore if anyone desires remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost, let him seek out baptism in Jesus' Name;

For even if these things can be procured apart from baptism in Jesus' Name, they are guaranteed with baptism in Jesus' Name and I do not see them guaranteed by any other method.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,472
13,785
113
There is no reason why anyone should reject being baptized in Jesus' Name if given the opportunity...
Agreed.

Especially since baptism in Jesus' Name is the condition given for a conditional promise in holy scripture...the promise being remission of sins and the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38-39).
Incorrect. You overlooked the word "Repent".

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

For even if these things can be procured apart from baptism in Jesus' Name, they are guaranteed with baptism in Jesus' Name and I do not see them guaranteed by any other method.
Um, no, they are not "guaranteed" with baptism. Don't read your own ideas into Scripture.

Further, the Gentiles in Acts 10 received the Holy Spirit before being baptized in water, which means your "conditional promise" is simply not valid in every case, therefore it is not a condition at all.
 

justbyfaith

Well-known member
Sep 16, 2021
4,707
462
83
Um, no, they are not "guaranteed" with baptism. Don't read your own ideas into Scripture.
Act 2:38, Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Act 2:39, For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
 

justbyfaith

Well-known member
Sep 16, 2021
4,707
462
83
Further, the Gentiles in Acts 10 received the Holy Spirit before being baptized in water, which means your "conditional promise" is simply not valid in every case, therefore it is not a condition at all.
We have already discussed in this very thread the reality that in Acts 10 it was a transitional time in church history so that an exception to the rule of Acts 2:38-39 was made in order for Gentiles to be accepted into the body of Christ by the circumcision group.
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
25,475
13,419
113
58
In Acts 2:38, "for the remission of sins" does not refer back to both clauses, "you all repent" and "each one of you be baptized," but refers only to the first. Peter is saying "repent unto the remission of your sins," the same as in Acts 3:19. The clause "each one of you be baptized" is parenthetical. This is exactly what Acts 3:19 teaches except that Peter omits the parenthesis.

*Also compare the fact that these Gentiles in Acts 10:45 received the gift of the Holy Spirit (compare with Acts 2:38 - the gift of the Holy Spirit) and this was BEFORE water baptism. (Acts 10:47)

In Acts 10:43 we read ..whoever believes in Him receives remission of sins. Again, these Gentiles received the gift of the Holy Spirit - Acts 10:45 - when they believed on the Lord Jesus Christ - Acts 11:17 - (compare with Acts 16:31 - Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved) BEFORE water baptism - Acts 10:47. This is referred to as repentance unto life - Acts 11:18.

*So the only logical conclusion when properly harmonizing scripture with scripture is that faith in Jesus Christ implied in genuine repentance (rather than water baptism) brings the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 10:43-47; 11:17,18; 15:8,9; 16:31; 26:18) *Perfect Harmony*
 

Everlasting-Grace

Well-known member
Dec 18, 2021
5,944
1,872
113
Act 2:38, Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Act 2:39, For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Phrase, 2nd person plural. -

Repent - 2nd person plural. And peter said to EVERYONE Repent.

YOU shall receive gift of the Holy Spirit - 2nd person Plural, the object of repent. ie, whoever repents will receive the gift of the spirit

Phrase, 3rd person Singular

Let every one of You be baptized - 3rd person singular - You being singular. Not spoken to the whole group. but spoken to a select group of people. Who are these people?

For the remission of sin - For (on account of, because, for you have received) remission of sin.

Water baptismal regenerationists love to use this passage in peter in an attempt to prove Peter demanded water baptism was required for salvation. However, the language used does not support this case.

Peter told EVERYONE top repent, And in doing so they would recieve a special gift. this gift was the HS.

He then to told who through repentance believed to be baptized. In the fact they had already received remission for sin.

this is proven also in the next verse. And they who believed where baptized..
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,472
13,785
113
We have already discussed in this very thread the reality that in Acts 10 it was a transitional time in church history so that an exception to the rule of Acts 2:38-39 was made in order for Gentiles to be accepted into the body of Christ by the circumcision group.
It's not reasonable to take a single event (Acts 2), claim that is the "rule", and then say that a different single event is an exception and doesn't need to follow the rule. It's either a rule, or it isn't. I go with the latter.
 

Everlasting-Grace

Well-known member
Dec 18, 2021
5,944
1,872
113
It's not reasonable to take a single event (Acts 2), claim that is the "rule", and then say that a different single event is an exception and doesn't need to follow the rule. It's either a rule, or it isn't. I go with the latter.
Salvation has been the same since Adam.

Paul makes it clear. We are saved through the same faith Abraham had. The only difference is, we know the actual event God did. Abraham did not (the cross)

Romans 4:16
Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all

Galatians 3:7-9
Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
 

justbyfaith

Well-known member
Sep 16, 2021
4,707
462
83
In Acts 2:38, "for the remission of sins" does not refer back to both clauses, "you all repent" and "each one of you be baptized," but refers only to the first. Peter is saying "repent unto the remission of your sins," the same as in Acts 3:19. The clause "each one of you be baptized" is parenthetical. This is exactly what Acts 3:19 teaches except that Peter omits the parenthesis.

*Also compare the fact that these Gentiles in Acts 10:45 received the gift of the Holy Spirit (compare with Acts 2:38 - the gift of the Holy Spirit) and this was BEFORE water baptism. (Acts 10:47)

In Acts 10:43 we read ..whoever believes in Him receives remission of sins. Again, these Gentiles received the gift of the Holy Spirit - Acts 10:45 - when they believed on the Lord Jesus Christ - Acts 11:17 - (compare with Acts 16:31 - Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved) BEFORE water baptism - Acts 10:47. This is referred to as repentance unto life - Acts 11:18.

*So the only logical conclusion when properly harmonizing scripture with scripture is that faith in Jesus Christ implied in genuine repentance (rather than water baptism) brings the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 10:43-47; 11:17,18; 15:8,9; 16:31; 26:18) *Perfect Harmony*
False teaching.