1 Peter | Baptism & Amazing Grace | 9:15AM

Описание: Pastor Mel Svendsen
March 8, 2026
1 Peter 3:18-22

Bottom Line:
Peter in this passage points to Noah in the ark and the practice of baptism as two beautiful pictures of salvation being found only in Christ and His amazing grace to us, not in our works or in any ritual.

1. JESUS: An example of how suffering can make a
difference in eternity.1 Peter 3:18-19; Romans 5:8


2. NOAH: An example of how God saves those who
Believe, even when most around you don’t!
1 Peter 3:20; Hebrews 11:7

3. BAPTISM: An example of how the resurrection is
death to the old ways…and power to live as new
creations. 1 Peter 3:20-22;Romans 6:3-4

Is this “baptismal regeneration”? - Ans: No! “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you” v. 21
This is one of the most misunderstood lines in the New
Testament. Peter immediately clarifies:“not as a
removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God
for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ.” v. 21

Remember:
Water can only make the body clean externally; it cannot forgive sins, change the conscience, or regenerate the spirit. Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 3:28; Gal.2:16

Peter stresses that what matters is an “appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

There is an immediate connection to the “typology” of baptism and its symbolic connection to what truly saves us, the work of Christ through the cross and resurrection.

Verse 21 points to the inward person (conscience,
appeal), not outward (water).

-If Peter meant: “get wet and you are forgiven,” he would
not need “not the removal of dirt from the flesh.” v. 21

Why “Believer’s Baptism”? (immersion= Greek “baptizo”)
1. Baptism in the New Testament always follows
personal faith. (Acts 8:12) Philip preaching as faith
precedes baptism.When the Ethiopian official believes the
gospel, he requests baptism.(Acts 8:38).

2. The Great Commission links baptism to
discipleship. Matt. 28:19–20. Make disciples, then
baptize. Baptism clearly follows faith in Christ.

3. Baptism symbolizes personal identification with
Christ. Romans 6:3-4. Baptism as a symbol of personal union with Christ in His death and resurrection.

4. New Testament conversions include immediate baptism
after faith. Acts 16:31-33 (jailer); Acts 18:8
(Corinthians); Acts 10:47-48 (Cornelius and family)
(In every recorded case, baptism follows a response of faith.Some advocates of infant baptism point to “household baptisms.” However, the texts describing these events still emphasize belief.)

5. Baptism represents dying to my old ways, alive to the
new! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Conclusion: Your life forever impacted as you remember…
Jesus, who suffered to save,
Noah, who trusted when few believed,
Baptism, symbol of resurrection power.