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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: How Does Baptism Save? |
Bible Answer: Scripture ... 1 Peter 3:18-22 ... "For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 19 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, 20 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. 21 And 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, 22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him." "Corresponding to" or "symbolizes" (NIV) or "like figure" (KJV) is the Greek word antitupon. It means copy, a thing formed after some pattern, a thing resembling another, its counterpart. Baptism is a copy of or corresponds to something else. What is it? We need to look at the context. I see two choices - the flood or the ark? Which saved Noah and his family? It was the ark. The flood meant the destruction of the ungodly (2 Pet 2:5; 3:6). It removed the evil from the earth. "Not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God" is what Paul said in Colossains 2:11-12 where baptism is equated with being circumcised of heart. We see that Israel was also baptized (1 Cor 10:1-4). Both Noah's and Israel's "baptisms" were their transition from the old to the new. The spiritual element associated with that water is what saved, not the water. Cornelius and Company were saved before they were baptized in water (Act 10:44-48). The gift of tongues is given to the believer (1 Cor 12:3-11 (vs 10), 27-30 (vv 28, 30), 14:1-5). They were praising God, which unbelievers can't do (1 Cor 2:14). My thanks to CARM for their help. Searcher |