top of page

Saved by Christ’s resurrection

  • Writer: John Pearson
    John Pearson
  • Aug 12, 2020
  • 1 min read

.

Having spoken of Noah as a messenger of salvation, Peter then sees in Noah a parallel with salvation itself. He and his family were “saved through water” (20), by the flood lifting their ark from God’s judgement. So the water of the flood “symbolises baptism that now saves you” (21). What does he mean by that?

.

In New Testament times baptism was usually by immersion, providing a dramatic symbol of death, burial and resurrection (Rom.6:4). It is not that we are saved by being baptised – that would make baptism a human ritual, no more effective than the Jewish sacrifices (Heb.10:4). Rather, baptism is an outward symbol of the inner “washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” through the mercy of God and the grace of Jesus our Saviour (Tit.3:4-7; Heb.9:14).

.

Peter is clear – baptism “saves you by the resurrection of Jesus”. Baptism is our response to Christ’s death for our sins (3:18), expressing repentance and faith in good conscience but relying on the grace of God (Heb.10:22; 2 Cor.1:12). By baptism into Christ’s death and resurrection, God’s gifts of forgiveness and the Holy Spirit are symbolised, so that “we too may live a new life” (Rom.6:4; Acts 2:38).

 
 
 

Recent Posts

See All
His love for us... and in us

May 30, 2021 17:1-26 What Jesus wants for us Read John 17:24-26 This wonderful prayer concludes with some requests which indicate the...

 
 
 
Why unity is essential

May 29, 2021 17:1-26 What Jesus wants for us Read John 17:23 In the previous two verses, Jesus had expressed his longing that his...

 
 
 

Comentarios


Recent Posts
bottom of page