From the Pen of LEROY SEDGWICK
BAPTISM NOW SAVES US
"The like figure whereunto baptism doth also now save us" (I Peter 3:21).
We concluded another article with Peter's comment on the subject of baptism as recorded in I Peter 3:21. Peter had been discussing the disobedience of men in the days of Noah. Whereupon he commented: "...when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water" (I Peter 3:20)
Having stated what God did for the "obedient" in Noah's day, he immediately turned to the subject of God's preparation for the obedient in our day: "There is also an antitype which now saves us, namely baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (I Peter 3:21 NKJV).
What kind of baptism was he talking about? Was it "water baptism"? Was it "Holy Spirit baptism"? Was it "fire baptism"? Since the Bible informs us that there is but "one baptism" (Ephesians 4:5), that was ever administered by Christians in New Testament times, it must be that baptism. Christ alone could baptize with the Holy Spirit, which He did on Pentecost (Acts 2), and in the house of Cornelius (Acts 10). It could not, then, be that baptism. "Fire baptism" is reserved for punishment in the judgment, so it could not be that. But, then, we are not left to wonder. Peter was talking about "water" when he penned these instructions.
The fact that Peter makes the statement that baptism is "not the removal of the filth of the flesh", is evidence that "water" is the necessary ingredient of this baptism. If it isn't, what was his reason for making such a comparison. What else could it mean?
But, how can baptism save? Listen to Paul: "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (Romans 6:3). Thus, baptism puts us in touch with the blood of Christ (which He shed in His death) by which we have the remission of our sins. He further stated that "...if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of his resurrection" (Romans 6:5). That is what Peter meant by being saved by baptism "through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (I Peter 3:21). Both inspired writers are in agreement on this important subject.
--Leroy Sedgwick