Mark Vestal Proud of nothing of myself. Freed by Christ who did it all!

The KJV prints the verse this way:

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:"

Within the parentheses we see that it is not the baptism of water that will save Israel post-cross (no more than it will us), but it is the type of baptism that is now "by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" that will save them (and us) by faith, or "good conscience" as Peter defines it.

Side note: Peter wasn't made aware of it at the time, but he didn't have to command the baptism of Cornelius in Acts 10. Cornelius, and those with him, were "filled with the Ghost" PRIOR to the water (Acts 10:44-48).

In 1 Cor and Eph Paul explains that there is now only one baptism, and that it is performed by the holy Spirit upon having faith alone, not with water (just as Peter stated).

(1 Cor 12:13)
"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."

Eph 1:12-13
"That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,"

Eph 4:5
"One Lord, one faith, one baptism,"

1 Cor 1:14-17
"I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
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."

Why is Paul glad that he did not water baptize but a few? Verse 17 says it all. It is what was completed by Jesus Christ for us on the cross that is important. What happens when we think that there is power in our 'water baptism'? It makes the cross of Christ of "none effect". It takes away from the power of Christ's shed blood at the cross. We attempt to take some of the credit for our salvation, when all the glory is supposed to be to Christ and HIS finished work on the cross that was performed and completed by Him alone on our behalf.

Water baptism would be of ourselves and boastable if it were necessary for salvation, but salvation is NOTHING of ourselves:

Eph 2:8-9
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast."

We are to have faith in Christ and the work that He alone completed for us for our salvation.

January 06 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Paula Fether Lifelong student of the scriptures

We should remember as well that scripture says nothing about needing to be "clergy" to do anything. Notice also John 4:2, where Jesus had his disciples doing baptisms on his behalf. We are all his disciples. But as already explained by Mark Vestal, water baptism isn't even important.

January 06 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report