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:  The phrase in the above verse  ” baptism  doth now saves us” seems ambigous and has to be properly interpreted to guide us to a proper understanding of what Apostle Peter meant.

Good and proper exegesis is usually achieved by looking at the ‘pre’ and ‘post’ text in-order to arrive at the ‘context’ of a statement.   Also, it can be achieved by comparing scripture (or verse) with scripture. On the surface, what this phrase says is that “baptism saves a soul”. Upon and around this erroneous interpretation, a lot of doctrine has been built over the ages. Some very large Christian  denominations have been built around it. You see Churches appending the word BAPTIST  to their appelations, clearly indicating to all and sundry: “this is who we are, and this is our central doctrine”.  For some orthodox denominations, embraciveness of this doctrine is demonstrated by their strict adherence, whereby some infants and under-age kids are also baptized as soon as possible. Pentecostals are not left out. Water baptism usually must follow-up immediately after confession of Christ, in-order (they uphold) to initiate one into the Body-of-Christ.

So you will agree with me that the topic  ‘Baptism’ is actually a sacred cow and attempting to slaughter it will always trigger some protest to say the least. But true Epignosis mustn’t shy away from it. Apostle Paul did not either.  He took a bold stand on Baptism, denouncing the centrality of this doctrine in:   1 Cor 1:17  “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.”  And in Rom 6:14, he posits further: “Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life”. So then, what is the baptism that saves? Are Peter and Paul talking about the same thing?

Eph 4:4-5  “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism,…” Because of that ‘one baptism’, you are now free from sin. Sin is no longer your master. Which is pretty good news if you can receive it . This receiving is NOT in your head, but in your heart.

We concluded the last segment with the twin questions: What is the baptism that saves? And were Peter and Paul talking about the same thing?

The ‘baptism that saves’ and the ‘one baptism’ are the same baptism that happened when the Holy Spirit placed you into the body of Christ: 1 Pet. 3:21–22 “Baptism now saves you not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to him.

Take note of the key phrase “a good conscience”. Any baptism that falls short of giving you a good conscience is not TRUE baptism but a mere ritual.   And of course, the only thing that can give you a good conscience before God is the cleansing blood of Jesus 

Heb. 10:22 “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water”.
Although ‘pure water’ is mentioned here, it is not referring to liquid water, whether sprinkled, or poured upon you, neither whether you are immersed in it.   There have been many unnecessary controversies arising out of ignorance. Some say you’re not truly baptized until you’re fully immersed and raised out of water.

But a little exegesis on Paul’s writing will show that ‘pure water’ in this context refers to the ‘Word of God’ ( Word of faith).  The phrase “Washing of water” is repeated in: Eph 5:26. “… that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word”

So again, it’s not water that saves you but the blood of Jesus shed for you. The moment you put your faith in the risen Lord, you receive the baptism that saves. Your old man is buried with Christ and you are instantly raised and seated with him in heavenly places. In that moment, you are as saved as saved can be.

Gal. 3:27″For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ”.

How do you read the phrase “baptized into Christ”? Can one put on Christ by the simple act of sprinkling, or immersion into water? Or by the believing and receiving what Christ’s death, burial and resurrection offers?. The latter is the correct answer. When you know you have been baptized into Christ’s death and raised by the Holy Spirit, it will empower you to truly live.

By now you’re asking: So why get ‘water baptized’ then? I am glad you asked.

1 Pet. 3:20–21 “…in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also.”

Mark the word “symbolizes” in the above verse. Peter is not saying we are saved through water baptism; he’s saying that the waters of Noah’s flood symbolized for Noah and eight saved souls, what the baptism that saves us – (the “new birth in Christ”) does for the present Church.

This is the baptism done by the Holy Spirit when we confess and receive Christ into our hearts. There is no need for a symbol of a thing when the substance has arrived. Christ is now received, and present in our hearts. He’s become our reality, and there is no more place for symbols of water, whether by sprinkling or immersion; neither whether done in the name of Jesus only, or in the name of the Father-Son-and-Holy-Ghost.

All those are symbols and religious rituals. Paul, Peter and the Apostles did a few of those, (SEE 1 Cor 1:16); but as revelation of Christ prospered, you will NOT find such rituals anymore in the New Testament.

There is only one Body of Christ and there is only one baptism, which is the new birth. You may have been baptized as a Catholic or a Lutheran, Baptist, or even Pentecostal. When you are born-again, at that point of New-birth, you became baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ. The Holy Ghost did it all. By that “one baptism, you have been accepted into the beloved( Eph 1:6). By that one baptism, you have become a partaker of Christ’s suffering (1 Peter 4:13), as well as a partaker of the Divine nature (2 Pet 1:4).

Selah!

-Dr Nich Mbaezue