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NASB | 1 Peter 3:21 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, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Peter 3:21 Corresponding to that [rescue through the flood], baptism [which is an expression of a believer's new life in Christ] now 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, |
Bible Question: I was once a member of a fellowship that believe that one isn't born again until they are baptised. They used this verse to support their belief. However, I believe that we are saved by the Grace of God. Paul says it is not of works that we are saved lest we should boast. But I cannot ignore this scripture. Can anyone please explain? |
Bible Answer: 1 Pet. 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: Lets dig deeper into this verse it’s NOT the putting away of the filth of the flesh (refers to water baptism.) NO outward EXTERNAL washing can save you, but the INTERNAL washing accomplished in the baptism which the Holy Ghost provides does save. So actually this verse is saying it is the baptism of the Holy Spirit that saves you, not any external washing, or submerrsion with water. Water baptism certainly is something every born-again Bible believing Christian, should submit to. It's following in our Lord's footsteps. However we don't get water baptised to become saved. We get water baptised because we have been saved. I am not putting down water baptism. It definitely is important to follow in the Lord's footsteps, and I too was baptized by immersion, but that was after I became saved, not before when Phillip was sent by the Holy Spirit to baptize the Ethiopian eunuch, The Ethiopian asked Phillip what prevented him from being baptized Phillip said "If you believe with all your heart you may" that’s why water baptism is called believers baptism also Acts 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. those at Corinth clearly BELIEVED BEFORE they were baptized. This is shown in ACTS 18:8 which reads, "Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him BELIEVED and were BAPTIZED." If you are saying that belief should lead us to baptism then I agree, but belief preceded baptism The Church of Christ, believes in baptismal regeneration. (meaning we are bornagain when we are water baptised) This teaching is unBibical. The following quotes come from the CoC “we are born again in a spirit sense. That happens in the water.” Ken Sublett COC “water baptism is the only way this born again can be enacted.” Ken Sublett COC taught from Scripture that baptism was only for those who had believed the gospel: "teach all nations baptizing them [who have believed]" (Mt 28:19); "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized" (Acts 2: 41); "What doth hinder me to be baptized ... If thou believest in Christ with all thine heart, thou mayest" (Acts 8:35-37). Those who believe in baptismal regeneration claim that water baptism is what makes one a "believer" but that would mean that they were baptizing unbelievers in order to make them into believers. |