Question and Answers: Baptism Saving Us

From: Christian Treasury: Volume 1

From: Questions and Answers in Christian Treasury

1 Peter 3:21 • 1 min. read • grade level: 8

Ques. Could you please explain what is meant in 1 Peter 3:21,²¹The 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) "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us"?

Ans. Peter writes to his own people, Israelites who had been brought up under the law and then professed Christ. In preaching to them in Acts 2:38, 40,³⁸Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)
⁴⁰And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. (Acts 2:40) he says, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.... Save yourselves from this untoward generation.”

Through baptism they changed their position as being connected with the guilty nation who had crucified their Messiah to the new position in Christianity. Through baptism (which is a figure of death), they were saved from the judgment of the guilty nation. It is the same in 1 Peter 3 and Acts 2. Ed.

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