Baptism as Crying Out

Day 329: 1 Peter 3:8-22, 4:1-6

“Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.'”- 1 Peter 3:21 ESV

Only eight people survived the flood of Genesis 6. Eight. Some estimate that there could have been millions of people on the earth at that time. Yet Noah and his seven came through those floodwaters. Did Noah deserve credit for saving them and the animals on the ark? I mean, he did build a large boat for 120 years (see Genesis 6:3). If that were true, wouldn't Noah have offered a sacrifice to himself instead of to God when they exited the boat on the mountains of Ararat?

There was no doubt that it was God who had saved Noah and his family. He had given him the instructions to build the floating device, giving him specific directions on gathering the animals, and God even shut the door before the water fell.

What a powerful picture when thinking about being saved from our sins. It was Jesus' suffering that provided the way to be saved (see verse 18). Baptism is ultimately surrendering to His direction, declaring that Jesus is Lord (verse 15), the only One who can save.

The word used here for appeal can also be translated as request, inquiry, or answer (KJV).

Baptism is yet another way for us to cry out to God, asking Him to save us.

We will not survive the flood of justice without His protective and provisional grace.

"...it is because Christ is risen from the dead that baptism becomes an instrument through which God can make known his saving activity. If Christ were not raised, then baptism remains only a symbol not of life but of death. But since Christ is indeed raised from death, then the Christian is also enabled to rise from the water of baptism into a new life (compare Rom 6:1–11)." - Arichea, D. C., & Nida, E. A. (1980). A handbook on the first letter from Peter (p. 121)

Are you interested in learning more about baptism?  This page may be helpful for you to read as you consider the decision or want to equip yourself to share with others (have your Bible nearby).