Wash Me Clean
21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
1 Peter 3:21-22
So here we have one of the dividing passages between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism (us). The Pope would say of this passage that the sacrament of water baptism is effective in saving people.
But is that what Peter is saying? I don’t think so.
Let’s trace his through. If you go and look before verse 21, Peter talks about Noah’s flood. That the ark passing through the flood waters is a shadow of salvation. Just as Noah’s family were saved from the flood, we are saved from God’s judgement.
That water symbolises baptism. What sort of baptism is he talking about? Well, NOT the removal of dirt from the body. Not water baptism itself. But the thing water baptism symbolises. Which is our baptism into Christ.
When we are baptised into Christ by our faith in him, we have the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. Because Jesus has washed away our sins. We are saved, by his resurrection because we have been raised alive in him.
Now in all these things, water baptism is the physical reminder of what has occurred spiritually. Water baptism removes the dirt of the body to symbolise the washing of the sins of our soul.
So, no, we don’t baptise in water in order to be saved, but because we have been saved. To remember, rejoice and rest in what we already have in Christ. Is that how you see it?
Today:
Pray:
1 Peter 3:21-22
So here we have one of the dividing passages between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism (us). The Pope would say of this passage that the sacrament of water baptism is effective in saving people.
But is that what Peter is saying? I don’t think so.
Let’s trace his through. If you go and look before verse 21, Peter talks about Noah’s flood. That the ark passing through the flood waters is a shadow of salvation. Just as Noah’s family were saved from the flood, we are saved from God’s judgement.
That water symbolises baptism. What sort of baptism is he talking about? Well, NOT the removal of dirt from the body. Not water baptism itself. But the thing water baptism symbolises. Which is our baptism into Christ.
When we are baptised into Christ by our faith in him, we have the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. Because Jesus has washed away our sins. We are saved, by his resurrection because we have been raised alive in him.
Now in all these things, water baptism is the physical reminder of what has occurred spiritually. Water baptism removes the dirt of the body to symbolise the washing of the sins of our soul.
So, no, we don’t baptise in water in order to be saved, but because we have been saved. To remember, rejoice and rest in what we already have in Christ. Is that how you see it?
Today:
- Have you been water baptised? If you haven’t and you do trust in Jesus - let us know!
- What does your water baptism mean to you?
- Reflect on your baptism today and what it means for you.
Pray:
- Praise that Father that we can have a clear conscience toward him.
- Give thanks for Jesus who has washed our sins away.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others find encouragement in their baptism (both spiritual and physical).
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