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Baptism is severely misunderstood in the “religious” world today. Those who misplace the importance of baptism as necessary for salvation do not see any other use or need for baptism. While others make little of the importance of baptism such that they see no need to fulfill the command at all. The scripture plainly puts an importance on the ordinance that should compel people to submit to scriptural baptism. We will first look at the importance of baptism and then look at the scriptural observance.
Importance:
The importance of baptism is underlined by the apostle Peter in 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:” This verse has led to misunderstanding by many (which we will look at the detail of in a moment), but it certainly underlines the importance of scriptural baptism.
To understand this verse we must look in the original language past the verse itself and to the context of the verse. The verse begins with “the like figure whereunto”. This is the application of an illustration just given in the chapter. Let us first look at that context and then look at the language so that we might understand this verse as it was originally intended. The context is that of Noah, but if we look back a little farther, we find the illustration of Noah supports the point he was making in the last half of the chapter.
1Pe 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
1Pe 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
1Pe 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
1Pe 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
1Pe 3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
1Pe 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
1Pe 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
1Pe 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
1Pe 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
1Pe 3:19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
1Pe 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
This thought on suffering as you live the Christian life is continued in the verses following verse 21. Remember chapter and verse divisions were added by translators.
1Pe 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
1Pe 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
1Pe 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
1Pe 4:3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
1Pe 4:4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
1Pe 4:5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
Therefore, we can conclude that the focus of verse 21 probably has emphasis on the suffering of the righteous at the hands of the wicked. This indeed is the teaching of the illustration used here of Noah. Note what it says in verses 19 and 20. “By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
Before we begin to look more closely at these words let's first look at the word “saved”. This word in a spiritual setting brings only one thing to most people's minds and that is of spiritual salvation from hell and eternal life in heaven. The word in Greek means much the same as what the English word “deliver” means. We certainly don't mean the salvation of soul from hell every time we use the word deliver. Nor is that the case in scripture. Let's see what deliverance is wrought and meant here.
Note the last two words “by water”. The word “by” means “through” to show means. Strongs gives the following definition. “A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through” The water brought salvation. Now in remembering the account of the flood, the water brought judgement. The ark delivered Noah and his family from that judgement. The like figure here is not the ark (which would symbolize Christ) but rather the water which brought judgement for sin and likewise separation from that wickedness. Note verse 19 leads into the illustration about Noah with an account that Jesus went to preach unto these souls which were disobedient in the days of Noah. The judgement upon their wickedness did not end at the flood. But that verse combined with the verses in chapter 4, gives a simple depiction of what Noah was saved from. He was saved by water from the wickedness of the world around him. So how does baptism do the same? Peter answers that for us. He says “not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God.” Filth of the flesh seems to have a dual meaning...that of literal dirt water is used to wash off at bath time. But also of depravity and defilement. Defilement as a Christian means you limit your usefulness to God. The Apostle John even spoke of a sin unto death for when a Christian has fallen so into defilement that his usefulness is completely gone. Back to 1 Peter 3:21 the rest of that phrase is “the answer of a good conscience toward God. The word “answer” has more the thought of question to it. The thought appears to be baptism is a request to God for a good conscience. This good conscience is the salvation meant by Peter, not salvation of soul from hell. A quilty conscience is something hard to live with. Just as it was hard for Noah to live with his wicked neighbors before the flood. The deliverance in baptism is less about the deliverance from a wicked society and more about a deliverance from a wicked way of life and the consequences thereof. The Apostle Paul shows the same deliverance from an old way of life to live afresh for God symbolized in baptism.
Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Thus the act of baptism is only the beginning of requesting a good conscience before God. It represents the devotion of a new lifestyle which is devoted to always seek that which will bear good conscience before God. Not for salvation for a good conscience. For the one who has been set free from the bondage of sin should seek to honor his Savior. Paul continues in the next chapter to show we never come to a point when we literally sin not, but we do not have to be in a lifestyle of sin. The purpose of this scripture is to point the saved toward living like they are saved. Paul even points out the same things the Apostle John points out in 1 John that the saved have a new seed, sinless, without the capacity to sin that fights our carnal nature. Paul says in Romans chapter seven.
Rom 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
Rom 7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Rom 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
1Jn 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
The language of 1 John is more toward the continuation of sin than is rendered in the King James translation. The thought of both is how can the one born of God continue in sin. Further, Paul shows that his eternal spirit is now separate from the sinful flesh.
The Importance of Baptism is very simply this. It marks the beginning of a life now pledged to serve the Lord, not Satan or self.
Why not Baptismal Regeneration?
As conservative interpreters of God's word would it not make sense to get the bases covered just in case baptism is required for salvation? The answer is no. Not when it comes to who you trust in for your salvation. The scripture is very clear on this. The Lord desires all our trust in him and his work, not our own. If you trust in your works for salvation you will fall short. If you trust in baptism for your salvation, you will fall short. Many scriptures deal with salvation and very few mention baptism. All of which can be explained. If baptism is required for salvation many, many scriptures regarding salvation by grace through faith alone are wrong. It would be different if in their context they went on to tell of the need of baptism too for salvation, but they do not. One of the scriptures used for baptismal regeneration is Mark16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Aside from the fact this portion is not found in the most reliable early manuscripts, this verse still is explainable from a salvation apart from baptism perspective. Of this Robertson's Word Pictures notes “The omission of baptized with “disbelieveth” would seem to show that Jesus does not make baptism essential to salvation. Condemnation rests on disbelief, not on baptism. So salvation rests on belief. Baptism is merely the picture of the new life not the means of securing it.”
The popular scripture in Acts 2: 38 ("Then 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." ) can be explained a few different ways as far as faith alone saves. For one the word translated "for" could be translated "because of". Also a harmony of James shows that saving faith results in (as described in 1 John and Romans 7 above) a new nature and fruit. Works follow saving faith. They do not produce saving faith. The first evidence of a disciple is baptism. Baptism does not save but is normal evidence of salvation and the first step in enjoying the blessings of God through obedience in this life.
Further Paul declared to the Corinthians "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." If baptism were required for salvation, I would think Paul would have been sent to baptize.
Baptism by Immersion
The word baptism means to immerse or dip. The declaration in Joh 3:23 is "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized." This shows not only the need for much water to immerse, but also that convenience did not overrule proper observance. They went where was needed to immerse. We take the same seriousness to the importance of baptism and the mode of baptism. It further should be administered by a scriptural church to insure the proper observance.