1 Peter 3:21
There is also an antitype which now saves us—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,
Truth to Learn
Baptism does not save us. It is simply a picture of salvation.
Behind the Words
The word “antitype” is translated from the Greek word antitupon, which is a compound word made up of anti, meaning “against, opposing, or resisting” and tupos, meaning “hard or solid.” This word originally meant, “resisting a blow or impression.” In the New Testament, however, it is used in a different sense. Here it means “a similar type” or “a model.”
The word translated “saves” is sōdzō, which, indeed, means “to save.” It is expressed here in the present tense, active voice, and indicative mood, which indicates current continuous action. In other words, “it is now continually saving us.”
Meaning Explained
Today’s verse is another very difficult one and one that has been misinterpreted by some who try to espouse the idea that one must be baptized to be saved. Similar to other supposed proof texts for false doctrines, this verse actually argues against baptism being a means of salvation.
Peter has just made a reference to the spirit of Christ who was proclaiming to the unbelievers during the time that Noah was building the ark. Today’s verse starts off with,
There is also an antitype which now saves us …
There is significant disagreement by scholars about whether the former “antitype” was the ark or the water. In either case it was simply a model of salvation to which baptism is compared. Noah did not receive spiritual salvation through the ark or the water, he received it the same way Abraham did and the same way we do today, through faith; he believed God. The building of the ark simply demonstrated his faith, just as baptism is our act of obedience after salvation that demonstrates our faith.
You see, Peter could not have been saying that we are saved by baptism. Otherwise, he would have been saying that our salvation is based on works, not faith, which is quite contrary to Peter’s and the other apostles’ teaching regarding salvation through faith alone.
Peter goes on to address just such a misunderstanding in the following phrase, as if he knew that what he was saying was likely to be misinterpreted. He says that baptism has nothing to do with the putting away of the filth of the flesh (it matters not whether you interpret this as physical dirt or the filth of sin on our souls), but that of a clean conscience toward God. And where does a clean conscience come from? It comes from obedience.
Peter is saying that baptism is like the building of the ark; it is an act of obedience that demonstrates something which already occurred (faith unto salvation). The act of obedience is not the saving thing itself, just the evidence.
Application
Perhaps you have been taught that you have to be baptized to be saved. That would be a situation where you have to obey to be saved. In reality, however, you have to be saved to obey.
In God’s service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2009 Will Krause. All rights reserved.
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