DEVOTION – DAY 533

1 Peter 3:21 “Water Baptism”

1 Peter 3:21 “And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

In 1 Peter 3:20, the apostle Peter used the example of Noah and the flood to explain how God saved Noah and his family of eight from destruction. The words “water symbolizes baptism” then follows. This phrase simply means that the flood waters in Noah’s time spoke of God’s judgment, and death for sinful people. But the baptism through the death of Jesus Christ, and every Christian, points to water that saves. Baptism is a symbol of salvation because it points to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When a Christian undergoes water baptism, they are identifying with Jesus Christ in these experiences ‘that now saves you also”. In reality, Christians are saved by what baptism symbolizes – Christ’ death and resurrection. Why does Peter call this act “a pledge of good conscience toward God?” This is because the act of baptism is a commitment on the part of Christians in all good conscience to make sure that what baptism symbolizes will become a reality in their lives. The bottom line is that people are saved not by any ritual but by the supernatural power of the death on the cross, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

We know someone who had been baptized when he was an infant. His parents had asked their church to arrange for some water to be sprinkled on his forehead. We had to explain to him that infant baptism is not recognized by Baptist churches because infants cannot possibly make any decision regarding their salvation since they lack knowledge, understanding and decision making as infants. Also, the practice of sprinkling as an act of baptism does not adequately symbolize the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We took this man through our church’s gospel tract and we gave him the opportunity to properly confess and repent of his sins and invite Jesus into his life as his Lord and Savior. Later, he also chose to undergo water baptism by being fully immersed in water. This form of water baptism closely identified with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is now clear and fully assured of his own salvation. 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we worship you for you are our Lord, Savior and Redeemer. Thank you for your gift of salvation. We pray that in your perfect timing, all our friends and family members who are still unbelievers would turn to you and invite the Lord Jesus into their lives as their Lord and Savior. We humbly pray in the great name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. Read Romans 6:3-5. How do these verses help you to appreciate that baptism by immersion most closely resemble to death, burial and resurrection of Jesus? Discuss.
  2. What was your baptism experience? Were you baptized by immersion or by some other means? Share.
  3. If you are not yet a believer, will you seriously consider inviting Jesus Christ into your life as your Lord and Savior?
  4. If you are still undecided, what is preventing your decision to do so? Share.