“There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ”
There is also an antitype
The word “antitype” comes from two words anti (against) and type. An antitype is that which is set over against the type. The antitype is the reality (He 9:24). The ark was the type; Christ was the reality. The eight people in the ark were the type, but now we have the reality. The reality is the point of this passage.
The type here is the ark, and baptism into Christ’s death is the antitype. Baptism of the flood answers to the baptism of Christ’s death. The baptism of the flood foreshadows the death of Christ for our sins symbolically. This is the picture of identification with Christ in his death.
TYPE:
ARK – a type of Christ
WATER – a type of Christ’s suffering in death
ANTITYPE:
Baptism of Christ’s death at Calvary
which now saves us—baptism
The antitype goes back to “water.” “Water” is the antecedent here (gender). The water represents judgment and symbolizes baptism in the death of Christ. As the flood wiped out the old world, so baptism represents a break from our past life.
This baptism is not water baptism for believers. Those who were wet were unbelievers, and they drowned. Baptism in water does not save us because those immersed in the water died in Noah’s day!!
The waters of the flood save but save only as a counterpart, not actually. Old Testament sacrifices were counterparts of the reality of Christ’s death on the cross. Those sacrifices did not save them in reality but only in type. Waters of the flood only saved the inmates of the ark only in type.
The ark suffered the judgment of the storm of the flood. The flood baptized the ark. Believers were sheltered in the refuge of the ark. In it, they came out of the flood to a new earth. By analogy, today, God saves us by the death of Christ from our sin. At Calvary, Christ was baptized into the wrath of God. In that baptism, believers are saved. God saves us by the death and resurrection of Christ.
(not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God),
This is not referring to the washing away of sin. Baptismal regeneration states that you become a Christian by water baptism. The waters of baptism cannot put away sins. Peter makes it clear that he is not dealing with H-2/0. Therefore, this is not dealing with the external rite of baptism. Water baptism does not save for it is simply a counterpart or picture of salvation (a type of salvation). To prove this, the Holy Spirit adds this parenthesis.
“Answer” is literally a pledge, the pledge of a good conscience toward God. This word is a business term. In business contracts, some commitments make the commitment binding. God says to Christians, “Do you accept the terms of salvation?” Our position of death in Christ gives us a good conscience toward God.
From what does baptism save us? From a bad conscience. Baptism does not save from sin but a bad conscience. Baptism is a testimony that we have been saved from sin.
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
The resurrection of the Lord Jesus is the pledge of our position before God. The resurrection of Christ saves us eternally. The resurrection is the factual indication that the death of Christ was adequate to save us.
At the resurrection and ascension, God accepts the death of Christ to save us. Here lays the basis for our salvation, our being “brought to God” in 1 Pe 3:18. If the flood did not buoy up the ark, Noah and his family would have been lost. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, we could not be saved. Our hope rests on the resurrection of Christ.
PRINCIPLE:
The resurrection of Jesus brings confidence in God, accepting us into his presence.
APPLICATION:
Today, like Noah’s day, we escape through the baptism of Christ’s death. In Christ, God gives us a new status quo. This gives us a “good conscience toward God.” When we enter the true ark (the death of Christ for our sins), God will save our souls. The resurrection stamps a guarantee that God will bring us into his presence in eternity.
God shut the door of the ark, and those inside are safe eternally. God saves us in the same sense that the water saved those in the ark. The water lifted the ark, and the death and resurrection of Christ save our souls.
This commentary on the subject of “DOES BAPTISM SAVES YOU? is one of the best. Thank you.
Thank you Herbert.
Your anti-baptism bias is REALLY showing in the way you commented on this verse. This verse is SO plain that only a misapplied understanding of grace or the obedience of faith would cause you to answer as you did. Water baptism IS the subject of this verse as is plain from the comparison to the ark being saved on water. After all, there is only one normative baptism for all Christians (Ephesians 4:5). Christian baptism is that absolutely necessary act which SAVES(not because of water “regeneration”) but because it is the point at which God forgives the sins of a penitent person and gives them the indwelling of His Holy Spirit(Acts 2:38). Sins ARE “washed away” (Acts 22:16) because God has determined for baptism to be the point at which grace is applied for salvation (naturally this must be preceeded by faith, repentance and confession). Please do not warp God’s precious word nor His marvelous gift of salvation by interjecting your unbalanced theology.
I appreciate your contextual sensativity and scriptually sound approach to the text. We know that one of the first principles of sound biblical hermaneutics is that scripture is it’s own interpreter. You’ve allowed scripture to interpret scripture, for that alone you are well appreciated.
Thank you Lionel, that is exactly what I try to do.
Dr. Grant I would like your thoughts on this addition to your exegesis of this passage:
It is obvious this passage is not referring to baptism of the “Spirit” (salvation) It’s interesting that those who use this passage as a support for baptismal regeneration ignore the very next phrase “not the putting away of the filth of the flesh”. I think the KJV interpretation of 3:20 has caused some confusion as well. It says that these souls were “saved BY water” which creates problems. The correct interpretation is “THROUGH the water”. (I have not read your commentary on 3:20 it’s very possible you pointed this out.)
The word anti-type gives us a look at what this “baptism” is pointing back to (Noah’s ark) or “corresponding to”.
Dr. Grant this view I am about to present, I do not hold to 100% but I do believe it is one to consider when talking about water baptism:
* We get our “symbol” or “anti-type” for water baptism from Romans 6 – (died with Christ, buried with Christ, rose with Christ) This is understandable and it definitely makes sense. My recent conflict with this is the fact that Romans 6 is not referring to water baptism (as the word baptism has nothing to do with water) since baptizo means “immersion” or the active and passive form (to dip or be dipped) Romans 6 is referring to our actual “immersion” into Christ through the Spirit.
My point is this: Romans 6 never mentions that water baptism is symbolic or an anti-type of this (dying, being buried and rising). The only place that I can find that tells us this symbolism is here: 1 peter 3:20
And when you look at John the Baptist’ message it was – “Repent for the Kingdom is at hand” Jesus was baptized and immediately went on with the same message. The people who were baptized by John the baptist would not have understood – dying with Christ, being buried with Christ and rising with Christ. “But they would have understood repenting for the kingdom is at hand” just like the people of Noah’s day had 120 years to repent before the judgment came. Noah was preaching essentially the same message. Either way you look at it water baptism is symbolizing Christ saving us but as far as the exact “type” water baptism is pointing to, could it be this. Also, what better way to symbolize “water” than with “water” the Romans 6 view is using “water” to symbolize “blood”.
Overall, what I’m saying is this: Is it possible that when we are saved and follow in believers baptism we are saying this: (just like Noah did and the people of John the Baptist day did – so do I) “I am identifying with Christ as my savior from the coming judgment just like the ark was the salvation of eight souls in God’s last judgment of the earth. Those under the water perished but we were brought safely “through” the water on top by the ark – the picture of water baptism????
I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you for all you do.
Jasper, thanks again for your thoughtful exegesis.
The word “corresponds to” or “figure” (antitype; the word “antitype” is a transliteration of the Greek word—literally, against the type) occurs in Hebrews 9:24 as well.
Re Ro 6:3-14. Baptism in this case is the baptism of the Spirit, a symbol of Christ’s death and resurrection, as you say. It is important to note that the Greek word BAPTIZW (to baptize) and BAPTISMA (baptism) are transliterations as well, not translations. If we were to translate BAPTIZW, it would mean to identify with. The Greek language used this term this way from the classical Greek period. “Immersion” is a picture of identification. Immersion in water is picture of our salvation by identification with Christ’s salvific work and is a testimony to that fact. Therefore, baptism in Ro 6 is our eternal identification with Christ’s death for payment for our sin and the resurrection to conquer death (He killed death! :)).
In this passage, it was the “ark” that saved the souls inside from the raging waters outside. The baptism of the flood answers to, corresponds to, is the antitype to Christ’s death for our sin. The baptism here is a baptism of judgment. Therefore, by our identification with the ark (antitype-Christ) we express our faith in the finished work of Christ as matter of “conscience” or “pledge” toward God. Thus, I do not believe water baptism is in this passage. Having said that, this is a difficult passage and any interpretation from any position is difficult. We should never base core doctrine on difficult passages to interpret.
It is very important to distinguish between different kinds of baptism in the Bible. John’s baptism was a baptism that was to identify with the shortly coming Messiah. Jesus’s baptism had nothing to do with sin; it was a baptism into His right and office as Messiah and to establish His Messianic kingdom. There is a baptism of fire, which is a baptism of judgment. I believe there are 7 different kinds of baptism in the Bible, of which baptism by water is only one.
Very good point about the different kinds of Baptism. So many, I believe associate the word (baptism) automatically with water.
You said: “We should never base core doctrine on difficult passages to interpret.” This is an extremely sobering reminder – thank you. That’s why i can not dogmatically believe the view that I presented to you – this passage has too many questions along with it to put such surety. I do think it is clear in this passage that “water” does not save. So many times I’ve been brought to this passage by those who put their initial regeneration on the “immersion” in water and it’s sad see the neglect for the passage as a whole. Thank you again Dr. Grant for your insight – and for taking time to comment. God Bless
Great article, I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE MY FINDINGS ON JESUS BAPTISM, PLEASE RECTIFY ME IF THINK I AM WRONG
I have been asking the Lord "What is God's Salvation Plan for our Generation" , the Lord showed me that BAPTISM is very important which every preacher leaves out not knowing it’s full meaning :
Genises 1, when the earth was formed it was related to a baptism.
NOAH’S GENERATION SAVED THROUGH BAPTISM
1 Peter 3:21 we see through Noah's righteousness (God declared Noah righteous through his faith in him) his family was saved through BAPTISM, Noah’s and the flood referred as a baptism which now saves.
MOSE’S GENERATION “ ISREALITES SAVED THROUGH BAPTISM “
1 Corinthians 10: 1-6 we see through Moses righteousness (God declared Moses righteous through his faith in him) the Isrealities were saved through BAPTISM as they were baptised into Moses through the red sea as a baptism.
ABRAHAM’S GENERATION “ ISREALITES SAVED THROUGH CIRCMCISSION RELATED TO BAPTISM “
Romans 4:9–1"FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."2 we see through Abraham righteousness (God declared that he was righteous though his faith in him) the Jews though circumSission Abraham covenant with God.
O U R GENERATION “ JESUS BAPTISM AND THE CROSS“
Mathew 3:15 REASON FOR JESUS BAPTISM was “ to fulfill all righteousness”, we were all baptised into Jesus, everyone from Adam and Eve till the last person born before his return will be saved if we just have FAITH that Jesus has done everything for our salvation. By Jesus taking our sin had to die as wages of sin is death. JESUS HAD TO COMMIT THE OFENCE BEFORE BEING PUNISHED BY DEATH (THE CROSS) DIED AND SHED HIS BLOOD. Do not forget John the Baptist called Jesus the lamb of God who takes the sins of the world a few times at his baptism.
JESUS HAD TO HAVE TAKEN ON OUR SIN BEFORE THE CROSS. HE HAD TO HAVE TAKEN ON SIN AT HIS BAPTISM (Baptism has continually been shown thoughout the Bible) here we must understand that John the Baptist, the high priest as Jesus said he was the greatest person that ever lived in the old testament. AS ALL NEW TESTAMENT ESPECIALLY HEBREWS 7-11 CLEARLY SHOW WHAT JESUS WAS TO FILFUL EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE TABANACLE
John 5;6-12, —— who came by the water and the blood(and the Spirit testifies) when Jesus come out of the water and the Spirit descended upon Jesus). His BAPTISM AND THE CROSS.
Colossians 2:12 explicitly defined baptism as an act done through faith: ". . . having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God." In baptism you were raised up with Christ through faith—your own faith,.
1 Peter 3:21 The apostle Peter, in his first letter, defined baptism this way, ". . . not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ"
Baptism is "an appeal to God for a good conscience." It is an outward act and expression of inner confession and prayer to God for cleansing, that the one being baptized does, not his parents.
TO END GODS WORD IS SO WONDERFULL. There is so much more that relates to this topic for example:
If Jesus was total man then if he had taken our sins at his baptism just like the book of Leviticus, he could say to the cripple pick up your bed and walk your sins are forgiven, he knew he was carrying all our sins. Why would he be led to the wilderness after his baptism to be tested by Satan if he was GOD. The temptations would have meant nothing. Interesting, just like the lamb that was lead into the wilderness with Isreal’s sins. At his baptism he was called the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Mario, thanks for your blog. I would suggest that you read the passages to which you refer in my studies on those passages.
GRANT
Thanks for the opportunity to let me present my thoughts and I believe that through Jesus's RIGHTEOUSNESS WE ARE SAVED BY BEING baptised into JESUS through FAITH in the Spirit like Noah's family were saved through his RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH BAPTISM and Isreal saved by being baptised into Moses through his righteousness led them through the Red sea by baptism.
The hidden mystery or the explanation on Jesus baptism was hidden or they would have put him to death. When John the baptist laid his hands on Jesus he transferred all the sins from Adam till the last person alive before Jesus second comming, just like the high priest Aaron laid hands on the sacrificial goat and transferred all the sins of Isreal onto it and it was led into the wilderness. Jesus also carried our sins at his baptism and then also was led into the wilderness.
He never become a sinner he only carried our sin like the goat as the goat never become a sinner it only carried all the sins, not our ways but God's way. The secret was known by John the baptist as he called Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Now wages of sin is death, Jesus had to have committed the offense as wages of sin is death that is why he had to die and shed his blood. If the high priest Aaron had not transferred the sins by the laying of hands the death of the goat would have been pointless .1 John 5;6-12, —— who came by the WATER AND THE BLOOD(and the Spirit testifies) when Jesus come out of the water and the Spirit descended upon Jesus). His BAPTISM AND THE CROSS.
That is why Jesus at his baptism said …..let us do it now to fufill all righteousness. Unrighteousness in the bible is sin therfore righteousness is without sin.
By faith we are baptised into Christ Jesus and become new creatures in the spirit, we may carry on sinning till the day we die but God does not see our sin as God only sees Jesus righteousness.
I will study your notes
God bless Mario
How do I contact you by email Dr. Richison? I checked the Contact section, but it is disabled.
Thanks,
Erik
To those that comment that you are saved through your water(and many times infant) baptism:
Please look up Galatians 2&3 the church there was leading people to believe they must be circumcised to have salvation and be part of the church and Paul went specifically to tell them NO you cannot perform a ritual to be saved!
Gal. 3:1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? 7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.
This is pretty strong language! I truly want you to know you are saved by faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection not by ANY works. If your pastor baptized you how can you not say he saved you?
EPH 2:8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast.
If I have been baptized and you haven’t(even if you feel you believe in God), couldn’t I boast that I have been baptized and you have not?!
The HEARTBEAT of the whole Bible is that we are saved by GRACE and FAITH!! Check it out!!
John3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
John 5:24″Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
John7:38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 20:31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Acts 13:39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.
Acts 16:30and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved,
Romans 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Gal 2:16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
Eph 1:13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
Eph. 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Jesus said, “But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!”
Luke 12:50 NKJV
Like Noah and his family were in the Ark, so are we as believers who are in Christ. We have gone through that baptism that Christ speaks of because when He died, we died, when He rose, we rose. We are seated with Him in heaven because we are His body.
Jesus + Nothing = Everything
Please Mario can you please explain what you said above; that during Christ baptism that John de baptist transfered the sins of the world on him. Our own baptism teaches us that sins are taken away. Please differentiate that of Christ with ours. Thanks.