Genesis 7
The Ark as a Type of Baptism
NOAH and the ark have presented a picture of salvation for sinners, as well as a preserver of the Jewish remnant in the coming tribulation. Now there is an additional picture—that of baptism.
Noah not only trusted God to preserve him from the flood, but also saw in the ark that which would carry him into a better world. He saw the world as God saw it — wicked and under judgment—and he had no dire to be part of the wicked scene. In faith he and his family entered the ark, separating themselves from the world.
The believer who today sees this world under judgment will, like Noah, have no desire for what it has to offer. He will long to be away from it and know the reward of his faith. Yet for a while he must remain in the midst of the world and its defilements. Is there something he can do while here to more closely identify himself with his Saviour, more definitely show that although yet in the world he is not part of it? Yes, God has made such provision for the man of faith. Peter says (speaking of the days of Noah): “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.” 1 Peter 3:2121The 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: (1 Peter 3:21). We are assured here and elsewhere that the ark is a figure of baptism by which we proclaim ourselves “dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:1111Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:11).
Baptism, however, should never be looked on as a means of salvation. It cannot put away the filth of the flesh, but speaks of a good conscience tard God. The expression “doth also now save us” does not imply salvation of the soul, but saving believers from the deceitfulness and snares of a wicked world that seeks to draw them into its folly. The believer who really sees the sufficiency of Christ will want to be occupied with Him and put himself away from the world. He will be happy to display that dire by the act of baptism. Noah went into the ark before the rains ever came. So the faithful believer will not wait until taken to heaven to enjoy his place with Christ, but through baptism will own that place of separation now.
As the ark rode through the deluge all the fury of the storm fell on it, completely sheltering those inside. In Psalm 42:77Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. (Psalm 42:7) we have the prophetic utterance of the Lord: “All Thy waves and Thy billows are gone over Me.” Now, through faith in Him, the believer will never know the waves and billows of God’s wrath against himself, but in the figure of baptism can express his desire to be associated with his Saviour’s death. “Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into (or, unto) death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted tether in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.” Romans 6:4,54Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (Romans 6:4‑5). What a glorious association for the child of God!
ML-11/08/1964