What does Peter mean in 1 Peter 3:21 that "baptism" saves us?

Question

1 Peter 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:"

Does he REALLY mean that baptism has anything to do with salvation? Does he really mean something else here.
Can this be explained in the context of the letter from which it is written. I know other scriptures saay what they say; and they are to be taken in the context from which THEY are written. But what does THIS mean; ONLY citing the text in THIS letter.

Any Help?

Patron, Is he saying that Baptism is necessary for salvation?

Kait, I'm really trying to get what PETER is saying here.
So, "the thief on the cross" I'm thinking dosen't have anything to do with this letter. Besides, The church had not been established when the thief was on his cross. There was no church of Christ to be baptiszed into. So that's a "common" bad example.

"an appeal to God FOR a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ"
is not the same as:
"the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" 1 Peter 3:21
You see, I think Peter is saying here: That after believing, repenting, and confessing (all understood to be necessary before being baptized into Christ, otherwise, you are "just getting wet"), being baptized is DONE as an answer of a good concience toward God; That is; you do it KNOWING what you are committing to, and that is to Christ.

Answer 1

He said it because “baptism saves”. (What would he have said if he had meant "baptism saves"?)

This verse in the New American Standard Bible says, “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.”

The English Standard Version says, “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.”

(These are two of the most accurate English translations of the Bible.)

Baptism is a command of Christ. He said, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.” (Mark 16:16)

Many will tell you that someone believes, is saved, and then he shall be baptized. This is not the same thing Jesus said. It is not in the same order.

What would Jesus have said if he had meant, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved”? I believe he said what he meant and meant what he said. I believe Jesus! “He that believes not shall be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)

Many agree that baptism is commanded by Christ, but they say it is not necessary for salvation. Hebrews 5:9 says, “He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” It is necessary to obey Christ to be saved!

Acts 2:38 says that baptism is “for the remission of sins”, “unto the remission of sins” or “so that your sins will be forgiven”. (Depending on which translation you read.) I Peter 3:21 says "baptism now saves"!

In the conversion of Saul (Paul), Acts 22:16 says he was commanded to be baptized and wash away his sins. Can we be saved if our sins remain? The blood of Christ washes away sins (Revelation 1:5) .

Romans 6:3-4 says we are “baptized into Christ”. Can we be saved outside of Christ? (See Gal. 3:27 also.) These verses in Romans also say we are “baptized into his death”. At Christ’s death is where his saving blood was shed and offered for our sins. We must contact His death to contact that blood! Can we be saved if we have not contacted His death?

Romans 6:3-4 also say that at baptism we “rise to walk in newness of life.” At a birth there is a new life. Can we be saved if we have not been “born again” to this new life?

In the New Testament after Jesus gave the command about baptism, every example of a conversion specifically mentions baptism. None of these converts ate, drank, slept, or continued their journey until they were baptized. It was always immediate.

Some point to examples, such as the thief on the cross, before Jesus issued his command of baptism. They could not have obeyed a command that had not yet been issued. Also the death, burial, and resurrection that baptism now represents had not occurred at that time. How could they be baptized into Christ's death, when Christ had not yet died?

Those before Christ's death lived under the Old Testament. The New Testament came into effect after Christ died and rose again. (Hebrews 9:15-17) And remember, it was after His death that he commanded baptism (Mark 16:16, Matt. 28:18-20) All those who now live after that point in time are subject to the New Testament and to that command.

Also, the thief on the cross was at the scene of Christ's crucifixion. He had direct contact with Christ at His death. We are not in that position. Again, it is through baptism that we contact His death!

Saul who I mentioned earlier, is a good example of the necessity of baptism. He spoke to Jesus. He called Jesus “Lord” and he asked what he needed to do to be saved. Jesus told him to go into the city and it would be told to him what he “must do”. In the city he fasted for three days and he was praying. (Acts 9:9-11) Many would say he was saved at that point, but he still had not been told what he “must do”.

Then he was told to be baptized and wash away his sins. Please note, even though he had not eaten or drank for three days, he was baptized before he took food. (Acts 9:18-19) This shows the urgency of baptism. In fact, none of the new converts in the book of Acts ate, drank, slept or continued a journey until they had been baptized!

Baptism is specifically mentioned in all of these examples. Love, grace, mercy, confession, repentance, and the blood of Christ are all necessary for salvation, but they are not specifically mentioned every time, but baptism is!

After one believes, repents and confesses Christ; baptism is the point at which we come “into Christ”. The act of being immersed in water and rising up out of the water symbolically recreates Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. It is this way God has appointed for us to contact Christ's death and be forgiven of our sins. Baptism is “for the remission of sins"!

"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord!" (Acts 22:16)

Answer 2

It is clear that Peter insists that baptism is a required ordinance of the Gospel. Baptism assumes that a person already has faith in Jesus Christ, and repents of his sins, which is the putting away of the filth.

Baptism is a covenant to take upon us the name of Christ, to always remember Him, and to keep His commandments. Unless you accept this covenant, you do not accept salvation.

When you also read earlier verses in the same chapter you will see that Christ "preached unto the spirits in prison". Those who died without baptism, like the thief on the cross were taught the principles of the Gospel, so that they could be prepared for the ordinance of Baptism.

So how are these spirits in prison baptized? As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?" So it is that the living must serve as proxies for those that died without the ordinances of the Gospel.

Answer 3

Jesus said to John the baptist that he must baptize him so everything is fulfilled. And same John in the spirit that one will come after him who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

So now I say to you, which baptism is greater, the traditional one, or the one given in the Holy Spirit. That is the same reason why the Holy Spirit is come to us, he is the true water that cleans us and the same fire that purify us.

As well God, as Jesus, knew that there will be even criminals making churches and running business selling salvation, Can a traditional baptism from a false prophet, that could be even known to you with a bit of effort, be of approval in the eyes of God? Can a voodoo man say to you I am pastor I will baptize you? Was there any man greater than John the batist there to baptize Jesus with approval from God? Because then would have been the same when he allowed the pharisees to baptize him.

So I say traditional baptism today is not more than a traditional baptism.

And some people are even baptized by the Holy Ghost before they are born, which is indicated here:

Luke 1:15 – The angel explains to Zacharias that Elizabeth shall bear a son, named John, which shall be filled with the Holy Ghost from the womb.

Answer 4

this is the NIV version....

20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge[a] of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.


it is much more clear here (IMO). i also thought, before i looked the passage up, that baptism is SYMBOLISM of the pledge you make to Jesus Christ that you believe. he explains in vs 20 that Noah and his family were saved from the water, and it is now the same water that symbolizes US being saved.

i think, as in all things, this can be subject to controversy. do you have to LITERALLY be baptized in water by a priest? or what if u Believe, but never got around to it?

personally, up to a year ago, i would've been squirmish to be baptized again (i did it in 7th grade when i didn't really know what i was doing). but now, i would do it if given an opportunity. i am not necessarily going OUT OF MY WAY to find an opportunity, but i think it's one side of the fence vs the other. how you perceive and understand what Getting Baptized means, than actually literally jumping in the water.

good luck

Answer 5

Yes he really means something else here. Did you read the first three words and understand? (The like figure). The like figure of water baptism was a figure/ or symbol of the baptism to come. Jesus was still alive when this teaching began, by John the baptist. So The holy Spirit of baptism by fire, told by John, when he said, he was unworthy to untie his shoes, could not come, until the death, burial,and Resurrection of Jesus. And it did come on the day of Pentecost. ( after the Resurrection) The true Baptism is the indwelling Spirit of Jesus (the Holy Spirit) in the hearts, and souls, and minds, of mankind. By this, is what is meant by the answer of a good conscience toward God, but the water baptism is a mere symbol of the washing away of the filth of flesh. What Peter is saying is that the symbol of baptism, has now become the true baptism that saves. (The Holy Spirit)-- Baptism by fire. Water baptism in and of its self can not save. But if we have the Holy Spirit living in our hearts, then the ritual of water baptism shows the condition of our hearts.

Answer 6

No! Water baptism cannot save any one. The dying thief hadn't done any thing right in his life except to demonstrate faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and that's all that was required for him to receive salvation. Where Peter was saying, "repent and be baptised evey one of you for the remission of sins" in Acts 2:38; here he is saying "repent" it is the act of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ that forgives and provides for the remission of sins and the act of baptism is not only the answer of a clear conscience towards God but also is the scriptural manner in which a person is added to the church. We read in Acts chapter two where about 3000 people were saved and then baptised and added to the church (Acts 2:41). The act of baptism is strictly only for people who have already been saved and is definitely not for any one else.

Answer 7

JEHOVAH has specific requirements for those seeking salvation. They must acquire accurate knowledge, exercise faith, repent of their sins, make a dedication to God, and undergo baptism as believers. (John 3:16; 17:3; Acts 3:19; 18:8) Baptismal candidates must acknowledge publicly that on the basis of Jesus’ sacrifice they have repented of their sins and have dedicated themselves to Jehovah. They must also understand that dedication and baptism identify them as Jehovah’s Witnesses.

The entire baptismal arrangement, including this public expression of faith, is essential for salvation. (Romans 10:10) This was confirmed when the apostle Peter wrote: “Immersion . . . saves us.” (1 Peter 3:21, ED)

Baptism itself is not what saves. And though we must ‘put away the filth of the flesh,’ that alone does not save us. Rather, salvation is “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Baptismal candidates must have faith that salvation is possible only because God’s Son died a sacrificial death and was resurrected. They must also accept Jesus as their Lord having authority to judge the living and the dead. “He is at God’s right hand,” said Peter, “for he went his way to heaven; and angels and authorities and powers were made subject to him.”—1 Peter 3:22.

Then, too, it is with baptism that Peter associated “the request made to God for a good conscience.” To come into possession of a good conscience, all who get immersed must repent of their sins, turn around from a wrong course and dedicate themselves fully to God through Christ. Baptism is the public symbol of the heartfelt dedication now made by the individual and the expression of faith that he has made with his mouth. After following through on what Jehovah God requires, the baptized disciple comes into possession of a good conscience.

So yes, we need to dedicate our life to Jehovah through prayer and public baptism showing everyone that we have dedicated our life to Jehovah. But as Matthew 24:13 says "But he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved" We are always constantly trying to endure in this world. Only if we make until the end, then we know we are saved, not until then, this is only one of the steps that should be taken to ensure that we do make it.

I hope this helps!!

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www.watchtower.org

Answer 8

And this (ho, relative pronoun—“water” is the understood antecedent) water symbolizes baptism (baptisma). Baptism represents a complete break with one’s past life. As the Flood wiped away the old sinful world, so baptism pictures one’s break from his old sinful life and his entrance into new life in Christ. Peter now applied to his readers the principle he set forth in verses 13-17 and illustrated in verses 18-20. He exhorted them to have the courage to commit themselves to a course of action by taking a public stand for Christ through baptism. The act of public baptism would “save” them from the temptation to sacrifice their good consciences in order to avoid persecution. For a first-century Christian, baptism meant he was following through on his commitment to Christ, regardless of the consequences.

Baptism does not save from sin, but from a bad conscience. Peter clearly taught that baptism was not merely a ceremonial act of physical purification, but (alla, making a strong contrast) the pledge (eperōtēma, also trans. “appeal”; cf. nasb) of a good conscience (syneidēseōs; cf. v. 16) toward God. Baptism is the symbol of what has already occurred in the heart and life of one who has trusted Christ as Savior. To make the source of salvation perfectly clear Peter added, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Peter 1:3).

Answer 9

When we are baptised with water and the Holy Spirit, the works of Christ (suffering,death, and resurrection) are applied to us. Therefore, if we die in Christ, we will also rise in Christ to eternal life. Baptism justifies us to be in union with Christ. God bless.

Answer 10

He means that Baptism saves you. The water of Noah's Flood was the antetype or a symbol of the real saving Sacrament, Baptism (the antitype of the Flood) whereby we enter into Christ's death & resurrection--yes, salvation. It is not just a symbol, or merely a rite (ritual), but a Sacrament. The definition of a Sacrament is a sacred act (A) instituted by God (Matt. 28:19-20), (B) in which *God Himself* has joined His Word of promise to a visible element, (C) and by which *He offers, gives and seals the forgiveness of sins earned by Christ*.

While it is noble that you want to use the context of only this letter, it is Christ's own words in John 3 & Matthew 28:19-20 that authenticate what Peter is saying here.

Those who will argue that "grace alone through faith alone", therefore it cannot be that faith + works (i.e. Baptism) that saves, totally misunderstand Baptism. It is *not* us who do the work in Baptism, but God who does the saving work. Baptism as a Sacrament is one of God's means of grace for us. God's means of grace are His Word (The Holy Bible) & Sacrament (Holy Baptism & Holy Communion). It is simple: We are saved by *Grace Alone* through *Faith in Jesus Christ Alone* as written in *Scripture Alone*. What Scripture, in fact Christ, says is that God distributes the perfect forgiveness Christ Jesus won on the Cross for everyone (not just the elect) through Word & Sacrament.

We do good to allow God to tell us the means by which *He* saves (distributes the universal grace that Christ won on the Cross) & not to tell Him, "no, that can't be because it's not humanly reasonable or it's too ordinary". If we don't, we end up replacing the real means of grace with our fallible human & anti-biblical "means of grace" which inevitably become works (e.g. prayer, diligence in reading the Bible, sincerity of faith, etc. etc. etc. or we try to turn Baptism & Communion into something that *we do*). No matter what form this takes it is a return to the errors of Roman Catholicism which do not provide the believer with any certainty at all about his/her salvation. If we do any of the work in salvation, how do we know? If God does all the work of salvation, we are certain!

At any rate here's what an honest exegete, Paul E. Kretzmann, writes concerning this part of Scripture: "The last thought, so far as it concerns condemned human beings, is now elaborated: That has once been disobedient, when the long suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared. Among the spirits in prison to whom the victorious Christ manifested Himself in the manner shown above were also the souls of those people who in the days of Noah had refused to heed the warning preaching of this man of God, and probably jeered at him for building his big ship on dry land. For one hundred and twenty years he had Noah preach repentance to his fellow man. But they refused to heed his warning and have thus become an example to the unbelievers of all time, all of whom may expect to meet with the same condemnation. This factor stands out all the more strongly by way of contrast: in which few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. Of all the men who lived on earth in the days of Noah, all rejected the preaching of Noah. And so finally he only with his family, a total of eight souls, was saved through water, the Flood being considered the means of saving these eight people with the animals that were in the ark; the water lifted them up and thus saved them from destruction.

"The apostle now makes a spledid application of this incident; which now saves also us as Baptism, its counterpart, not the removal of the dirt of the flesh, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. *The words of the apostle are so simple and so clear that the dilberate misunderstanding of their import by a great number of Christians is a mystery.* Water is to us Christians a means of salvation. It is water that saves us, that transmits to us the salvation of Christ in Baptism, which is the antitype of the Flood, as Peter has just shown. This salvation, of course, does not consist of washing off the dirt which may have gathered on the skin of the body, but it cleanses the heart of sins; it is a pledge, a contract of a good conscience toward God; it guarantees to us that we may have, by virtue of the its application, a clean conscience before God, thus being enabled to lift up our eyes to Him without the slightest trace of fear. This is true because the spititual gifts and blessings which are the result of the resurrection of Christ, the certainty which God has accepted the sacrifice of His Son and granted forgiveness of sins to the whole world, are transmitted to the believer in Baptism. Thus all Christians are, by reason of their Baptism, happy and blessed people, having the certain hope of eternal life through the grace of God in Christ Jesus which they received in the water of Baptism." (Popular Commentary of the Bible: The New Testament Volume II by Paul E. Kretzmann Ph.D., D.D., Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Missouri.)