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Peter 27 - A Closer Look at Baptism (3)
A Closer Look at Baptism (3)
For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. Corresponding to that, 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. (1Peter 3:18-22).
Peter teaches that baptism involves the “precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ” (1Peter 1:19). Peter teaches from the above text that “baptism now saves you.” This ought to be enough to make any heaven-seeking person want to be baptized. Still, there are many other interesting and enticing things about baptism. Baptism has a unique excellence about it which puts it into a class by itself. It is truly amazing that so many of the religious world wish to minimize its importance.
Great men among the first Christians, such as the apostles and evangelists whose acts are recorded in Scripture and who engaged in the Christ-given work of baptizing, tell of its importance. Peter, in his sermon on the day of Pentecost, relates the importance of baptism in forgiveness (Acts 2:38). Paul, as he preached in Corinth, showed the importance of Christ and believers in Him being baptized (Acts 18:8). Paul wrote to these Christians in Corinth reminding them of the importance of the cross of Christ and baptism (1Corinthians 1:13-17).
Baptism excels in that it is found in the most excellent company of the unique: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6). There are several things of great importance that did not make this list—even love did not make this list! Doesn’t it seem strange to hear people talk so much about love and the importance of loving God and at the same time talk about baptism not being essential to salvation?
Very much related to its uniqueness, the excellence of baptism is seen in the fact that there are no degrees of it—there is just one and that is all there is. For instance, there are degrees of faith: e.g., great faith (Matthew 8:10; 15:28), weak faith (Romans 14:1-2), little faith (Matthew 6:30; 8:26; 14:31; 16:8). But there is just one baptism. People are either baptized or they are not baptized. People either have their sins washed away or they don’t. People are either in the body of the saved, or they aren’t. People have either clothed themselves with Christ or they haven’t.
Again, related to uniqueness, the importance of baptism is seen in that it is needed only once to be in the right relationship with God. Repentance and confession of sins are done over and over again. “If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:6-9). Though some may undergo one type—or many types for many reasons—of baptism in their life, there is only one time that a person can really be baptized with the one baptism that saves.
Outside of Scripture, people of the “religious” world show the importance of baptism. The excellence of baptism is seen in the unconscious respect the vast majority of people place upon it. While many deny that it is necessary unto salvation, still they require it in order to be a member of “their church” of choice.
With all of its excellence and importance, there are some things that baptism does not do.
Baptism will not keep one sinless. Read again the above text from 1John 1:4-6. Also, notice that Paul, who had been baptized to wash away his sins and preached baptism related to the cross of Christ, had to guard himself against further sin: “I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified” (1Corinthians 9:27).
Baptism does not guarantee eternal salvation. Peter reminds Christians of this fact: “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, ‘A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT,’ and, ‘A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire’” (2Peter 2:20-22).
Baptism does not remove temptation. “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death” (James 1:12-18).
Baptism does not excuse any other duty of faithfulness. “… Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
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