Can you comment on 1 Peter 3:21?
Introduction. The verse reads: "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." Notice that the verse is basically comprised of an affirmative and a negative statement.
The affirmative statement. The affirmative declaration is "...baptism doth also now save us..." Peter has just discussed the physical salvation of Noah and his family (vs. 20). In verse 21, he turns his attention to the spiritual salvation of those to whom he wrote. In both instances, water played an important role. "The like figure" simply means there is a true comparison, or "after a true likeness" (ASV). Water transported Noah from the old world to the new and water is the element God has chosen to use in the new birth (Rom. 6: 1-14; John 3: 3-5). Baptism is "the answer of a good conscience toward God" because God has required baptism (Mk. 16: 16). When one submits, one can have a good conscience in that he is doing what is right.
The negative statement. Peter said baptism is "... not the putting away of the filth of the flesh..." Water baptism is not designed for physical purposes such as washing away sweat and dirt. Baptism washes away sin, not the filth on our bodies (Acts 2: 38; 22: 16). If it were not for Jesus' resurrection, baptism would have no spiritual consequences. Hence, the verse concludes with "by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
Conclusion. 1 Peter 3: 21 must not be understood to say that the water by its own virtue saves (a.k.a. the doctrine of "holy water"). It is Jesus' blood which saves (Matt. 26: 28). However, it is in baptism (when preceded by faith, repentance, and confession) that spiritual contact it made with Jesus' death and His sin-remitting blood (Rom. 6: 1-18; Matt. 26: 28; cf. Acts 2: 38).
The affirmative statement. The affirmative declaration is "...baptism doth also now save us..." Peter has just discussed the physical salvation of Noah and his family (vs. 20). In verse 21, he turns his attention to the spiritual salvation of those to whom he wrote. In both instances, water played an important role. "The like figure" simply means there is a true comparison, or "after a true likeness" (ASV). Water transported Noah from the old world to the new and water is the element God has chosen to use in the new birth (Rom. 6: 1-14; John 3: 3-5). Baptism is "the answer of a good conscience toward God" because God has required baptism (Mk. 16: 16). When one submits, one can have a good conscience in that he is doing what is right.
The negative statement. Peter said baptism is "... not the putting away of the filth of the flesh..." Water baptism is not designed for physical purposes such as washing away sweat and dirt. Baptism washes away sin, not the filth on our bodies (Acts 2: 38; 22: 16). If it were not for Jesus' resurrection, baptism would have no spiritual consequences. Hence, the verse concludes with "by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
Conclusion. 1 Peter 3: 21 must not be understood to say that the water by its own virtue saves (a.k.a. the doctrine of "holy water"). It is Jesus' blood which saves (Matt. 26: 28). However, it is in baptism (when preceded by faith, repentance, and confession) that spiritual contact it made with Jesus' death and His sin-remitting blood (Rom. 6: 1-18; Matt. 26: 28; cf. Acts 2: 38).