The Meaning of Baptism – 1 Peter 3:13-22
Never say that baptism does not save us. Peter clearly says it does in 1 Peter 3:21. But, we do have to put baptism in its overall New Testament context in order to understand where it fits into God’s plan of salvation.
Here in 1 Peter 3, Peter does not tell us the overall significance or place of baptism in the plan of salvation. Paul will do that in places like Romans 6 and Galatians 3.
But, the reason why Peter mentions baptism in this context is important, interesting, and is based on the theological importance of immersion in water for the forgiveness of sins. So, let’s take a look at the meaning of baptism as it relates to this context.
THE CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT – 3:13-16:
When you read the whole letter, you see that these Christians were undergoing persecution. They were suffering for their faith. I have counted twenty-four references to these Christians’ suffering at the hands of their culture.
Jesus said in John 15:20 – “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” The question boils down to who/what do we fear? Jesus told His disciples not to fear man. Peter tells his audience and us not to fear man.
Rather, the Christian response to this cultural matter is to respond in a Christ-like manner. Christians are not to simply receive suffering and abuse with no response. But our response is to live like Christ. I have counted 37 commands in this short letter. Even if you are suffering and being slandered, your response is to live like Christ.
So, this is the cultural environment – suffering for righteousness’ sake – in which Peter discusses our baptism in verse 21. Secondly…
THE CHRISTOLOGICAL CONTEXT – 3:17-20:
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As I have counted, Peter makes thirteen references to the sufferings of Christ in this letter! Yes, Jesus suffered; even to death. Do we think we can live a more righteous life that He and avoid persecution? Hardly. We might need to ask ourselves if we are not being persecuted, is it because we are not defending the doctrine of Christ like we should? The world is not getting more friendly to Christ! It is getting less friendly to Christ! We should expect more persecution!
But, if we are put to death for the sake of righteousness, then just as Jesus was “made alive in the Spirit,” we too will live eternally by that same Spirit!
It is in that context – the context of suffering in this current culture and the context of Christ’s suffering (indeed, being put to death) for our sins – that Peter brings up baptism…
THE MEANING OF BAPTISM – 3:21-22:
Peter has just mentioned the ark of Noah and how it separated the family of Noah from the world of sinners. “Corresponding to that,” Peter writes, “baptism now saves you.”
Again, Peter does not tell us why – he does not get into the theological discussion of baptism – but he clearly tells us that it saves. It is not the physical washing of a bath but, rather, it is an appeal to God for a good conscience, being washed clean by the blood of Christ (compare this with Hebrews 10:22) – connected, as it is, to the resurrection of Christ (Romans 6:1-4).
The implication (of verse 22) is that if we will live as Christ lived and die as Christ died (righteously), we, too, can be with Him in heaven. A second implication of this final statement is that Jesus still controls all things.
So, when you suffer, remember that you have been baptized into Christ. Yes, you might suffer because you are a follower of Christ. But, stay faithful to Him and He will take you home to heaven – because your baptism into Christ saves you.
–Paul Holland
