1 Peter 3:18-22 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 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. 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, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.
In today's verses we see that Peter uses Noah as an example of the ultimate victory we have in Jesus. He endured persecution while building the ark and preaching the judgment that was coming. When the flood came, the world was swallowed up in death, but Noah and his family were saved because God sealed them in the ark. Peter tells us that baptism is an antitype of the flood. In other words, baptism does nothing for us physically. It cannot cleanse us of any physical impurities, but it is symbolic of the cleansing we experience when we accept Jesus as our Savior. Many dismiss baptism because we know that we are saved by faith alone in Christ Jesus. However, baptism is our first step of obedience in our walk with Jesus. It is an outward confession to both God and man. It is symbolic of our death, burial, and resurrection in Christ; death to the flesh and our association with the world, and our separation unto God, to live for Him. If we have truly called upon, and accepted, Jesus as our Savior and Lord, then we should have no issue whatsoever taking the first step of publicly professing that we are surrendering our life to Jesus. Baptism is the message to the world that we have victory over death, in Christ Jesus, and that we belong to Him. More importantly, it is a message to the Lord saying, "Jesus, you are not only my Savior, but also my Lord, and I will surrender my life in obedient service to You until You come back to get me, or take me home to be with You."
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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