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Biblical
references in Gahanna-Jefferson Church of Christ's nondenominational sermon
outlines are linked directly to text of the King James version of the Bible.
Bible quotes you hear in the streaming audio may be from the New King James
version of the Bible.
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Introduction.
1. In the midst of a section in which he is discussing Christ’s suffering and
why we need to prepare for suffering, Peter has some comments on the subject of
baptism in I Peter 3:21-22.
a. First, he refers to baptism as an antitype (the like figure, KJV).
b. Then he makes the striking comment that baptism saves us .
c. He describes baptism as the answer of a good conscience.
d. But he also says that baptism saves us through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ.
2. Any one of these four points is likely to perplex those who read this passage.
a. Some may wonder what an antitype is.
b. Others may take issue with the idea that baptism has anything to do with
salvation.
c. Many question what is meant by the phrase, the answer of a good conscience.
d. And how does the resurrection of Christ have anything to do with salvation,
when it was His death that provided the forgiveness of sins?
Body.
I. BAPTISM AS AN ANTITYPE.
A. Defining antitype.
1. The Greek word is antitupon, which means a thing formed after some pattern;
that which corresponds to a type.
2. So you have two things that some how relate or correspond to each other; one
is a type, the other is the antitype.
B. How baptism is an antitype.
1. In our text, the waters of the flood are the type, and the waters of baptism
are the antitype - I Peter 3:20-21
2. In his commentary, Barnes says
a. The meaning here is, that baptism corresponded to, or had a resemblance to,
the water by which Noah was saved; or that there was a use of water in the one
case which corresponded in some respects to the water that was used in the
other; to wit, in effecting salvation. (Commentary on 1st Peter).
b. The apostle does not say that it corresponded in all respects; in respect,
e.g., to quantity, or to the manner of the application, or to the efficacy; but
there is a sense in which water performs an important part in our salvation, as
it did in his. (ibid.).
c. An important part in our salvation? Baptism? This may sound foreign to many
people today, but the Bible and many Bible scholars over the history of the
church have stressed this very point.
II. BAPTISM AND SALVATION.
A. The Biblical witness.
1. There are several statements of Jesus that emphasize the necessity of baptism
for salvation - Matthew 28:18-20;
Mark 16:15-16;
John 3:3-5
2. The record of apostolic preaching as found in the Book of Acts continue this
thought - Acts 2:38;
22:16
4. And in our text, we have Peter’s own words, which coincide with what he
preached on that first Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ -
I Peter
3:21; Acts 2:38
B. The testimony of some Bible scholars:
1. Augustine (A.D. 354-430).
a. Referring to the efficacy of baptism, he wrote that the salvation of man is
effected in baptism; also, that a person is baptized for the express purpose of
being with Christ. (as quoted by Jack W. Cottrell in Baptism And The Remission
of Sins, College Press, 1990, p. 30).
b. In regards to the necessity of baptism, he refers to the apostolic tradition,
by which the Churches of Christ maintain it to be an inherent principle, that
without baptism...it is impossible for any man to attain to salvation and
everlasting life. (ibid., p. 30).
2. Thomas Aquinas (A.D. 1225-1274).
a. Men are bound to that without which they cannot obtain salvation. Now it is
manifest that no one can obtain salvation but through Christ.
b. But for this end is baptism conferred on a man, that being regenerated
thereby, he may be incorporated in Christ.
c. Consequently it is manifest that all are bound to be baptized: and that
without Baptism there is no salvation for men. (ibid., p. 31).
3. Martin Luther.
a. In answer to the question, What gifts or benefits does Baptism bestow?,
Luther replied in his Small Catechism, It effects forgiveness of sins.
b. He also wrote concerning the sinner: Through Baptism he is bathed in the
blood of Christ and is cleansed from sins.
c. Again, he wrote: To put it most simply, the power, effect, benefit, fruit,
and purpose of Baptism is to save.
d. In response to those who would call this a kind of works-salvation, he said
Yes, it is true that our works are of no use for salvation. Baptism, however, is
not our work but God’s. (ibid., p. 32-34).
4. Indeed, until the reformed theology of John Calvin came along, the general
consensus of religious scholars was in harmony with the Bible: that baptism does
indeed save us! But how can that be? The answer can be seen when we consider:
III. BAPTISM AND THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST.
A. Salvation in baptism is not found in the water.
1. As Peter makes clear when he says not the removal of the filth of the flesh.
2. For indeed it is only through the blood of Jesus Christ we can be saved -
Romans 5:8
B. Salvation in baptism is possible because of the resurrection of Christ.
1. If He had not been raised, we would still be in our sins -
1 Corinthians 15:17
2. But because Jesus was raised from the dead, we who are united together in the
likeness of His death (i.e., baptism) can share in the power of His resurrection
as we also rise to walk in newness of life -
Romans 6:3-5;
Colossians 2:12-13
3. In other words, it is the same power of God that raised Jesus from the dead
which saves us in baptism so we can be made alive -
Ephesians 1:19-20;
2:4-6
4. By God’s saving grace and resurrecting power, then, baptism can indeed save
us! Not because of any cleansing power in the water, but because of what God is
doing at that moment.
IV. BAPTISM AND THE APPEAL FOR A GOOD CONSCIENCE.
A. The answer of a good conscience.
1. This is a difficult phrase, but I believe it most likely means an appeal to
God for a clear conscience.
2. This understanding is supported by the following translations:
a. the craving for a conscience right with God (Goodspeed).
b. the prayer for a clean conscience before God (Moffat).
c. the request unto God for a good conscience (Rotherham).
d. an appeal to God for a clear conscience (RSV).
e. an appeal to God for a good conscience (NASV).
B. This coincides with the purpose of baptism.
1. Baptism was for the remission of sins, to have one’s sins washed away (by the
blood of Christ, of course) -
Acts 2:38;
22:16
2. Therefore, people in NT times who realized they were sinners were anxious to
be baptized as soon as possible -
Acts 8:35-38
3. To have a good conscience before God (indeed, to a have our conscience purged
by the blood of Christ -
Hebrews 9:14), one is baptized so their sins can be
washed away and they can rise to a new life through the same power of God that
raised Jesus from the dead!
Conclusion.
1. It is a tragedy that so many people today downplay the importance of baptism.
2. But if we will only allow the Bible to say what it does about baptism, we
will see that it is indeed the antitype in which God saves us!
3. And like Martin Luther, we will view baptism as excellent, glorious, and
exalted, as a most precious thing, as an infinite, divine treasure. (ibid., p.
34)
4. Vs. 21 of our text describes that Christ has now gone into heaven and that
all things have been made subject to Him. Have you subjected to His authority by
obeying His command to be baptized? -
Matthew 28:18-20
5. Have you made that appeal for a good conscience before God?
Don Treadway,
December 2003 |
