I recently was on the Youtube page of the church I pastor and one of the commenters had mocked my usage of the term 'most biblical'. Of course that may sound arrogant, forgive that. That's not at all the case. But I have to also ask, is it not true? Do we not hold the views we do because we find them the most compelling, or in the case of Christianity as a whole, the most biblical? I certainly hope it's not because we find them the least biblical or least compelling.
The commenter had a question about baptism and about the role of baptism. The famous passage of 1 Peter 3 was cited that 'baptism now saves you.'
As I said I hold my views because I believe them to be correct and I know all others do the same, including Roman Catholics, Christian Church (the non-denominational denomination) and others who believe that water baptism is essential for salvation and in fact does save you.
This comes on the heels of one of my older children, professing faith in Christ and praying to the Lord for forgiveness of sin. The next step from scripture is baptism. Acts 8:36-39, 10:47-48, 16:14-15,30-34 among many others.
Good rule to follow
The most correct thing in any given subject is what God says... in his word. The totality of God's word, not a single verse or few. One good thing to remember is to interpret the less clear passages in light of the clearer passages. I believe that there is not error in the bible and that it was written to certain people at a certain time, but can be used and a benefit to all for all time as God's Spirit moves and God's word is alive. That the original autographs are inspired by God while the English versions may very slightly, yes even the King James, but the original Hebrew and Greek are inspired of God as men were carried along by the Holy Spirit like a ship is carried by the winds. (Heb 4:12, 2 Tim 3:16-17) While translations are helpful in the common tongue because most people do not know the Greek or Hebrew alphabet much less the whole language, having a bible in English when you speak English is a treasure beyond compare.
On to Baptism
Baptism is something that does not always mean water. We think that automatically because of the countless years of squabbling about it from all sectors of the church. But when I say Baptism and certainly when the bible speaks of baptism it is not always about water.
John the baptist preaches in Matthew, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
No mention of water baptism from John regarding Jesus here. This does not mean that baptism with water is meaningless, but the point is that the baptism can mean more than mere water.
Acts 1:4-5 “And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” A reiteration of the same words in Matthew from Jesus.
Luke 12:10, Jesus talks about a Baptism he needs to go through. At this point he was already baptized at the Jordan by John the Baptizer so he is not talking about water. What is the Lord Jesus speaking about? He’s talking about what he is going to endure with the persecution, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection, and ascension. The final portion of his earthly mission.
What is Peter talking about then? Water, fire, a trial, the Holy Spirit?
Context is what determines any given word or set of words. Just like today. We read certain types of documents and know what they are when we read them...generally. And thus treat it accordingly. Whether it be a fantasy book, instructions on installing a sink, email from your boss or a note from your wife, all these are different types of literature. Context matters. And certainly the words your wife uses may be the same word but used differently than the instructions on the sink install or the 5 paragraph email from your boss.
On to Peter. He goes on and speaks of dirt being washed away by water as not what he's talking about. So it’s likely not water baptism “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” He's speaking of more than mere water. Rather a good conscience. But how can someone get this 'good conscience'? Well it's certainly not a physical element like water. But rather spiritual, by faith.
But before we get too far, what is the this he speaks of? Corresponds to what?
Salvation is the this. The this is deliverance as Peter cites Noah’s flood and how they were delivered from the water because of the ark. Even here Peter is using water in a negative sense and how it was deadly to Noah at his family. But is this saving faith from sin and eternal death? No. Like Baptism, saved and salvation has many meanings.
Roman Catholics and others often ask, “How can Protestants and other Non-RCs interpret without the magisterium”. The context helps us understand what is being said. As said already, we must know what type of writing is it, who is he writing to and so on. The first verse of 1 Peter 1:1 To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,' He is writing to God's elect people, the Jewish people who have come to Jesus as the Christ. They have done the most Jewish thing they can do and turned to the Messiah.
So it's the context what determines meaning, not a single definition from a dictionary. I cannot say “something or someone is green.” Without you asking more questions. Or at least you should. Because am I talking about the color? Or someone who is envious? Or someone who is inexperienced? Or someone who has a lot of money? Maybe someone who is sea-sick and going to vomit? Green. Salvation. Baptism. The context is what defines any given word or phrase.
Peter’s point in writing to the elect exiles, 1:1 is that they must trust Christ. (Similar to the letter to the Hebrews.) “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” Jesus died once for sins. Which runs counter to many doctrines others old about the efficacy of the Cross and the eucharist etc.
He goes on and says, “not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.”
His point is not about water. But being baptized into Christ. Christ Jesus suffered once for sins. The good and perfect one for the bad and wicked humanity. Peter states in verse 15 “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”
He’s encouraging them to walk in Christ. Telling them in effect, 'You all have trusted Jesus Christ and been baptized into him thus are saved because of it.' Not washing dirt off you in some water type way, but an appeal to a good conscience. It’s almost like he anticipates people using this verse to say, “see you need to be baptized to be saved”
To be saved you must believe.
Acts 16:31 is one of many examples. Yes water baptism is seen here, but not before or coupled with belief as some requirement. It’s cast your burden on Christ Jesus the Lord. Trust him, believe in him. That’s it. And to show what you have done and your commitment to him you are baptized. Like to show that you have turned on a light switch the light comes on. The light does not ever come on first before the switch.
The switch is belief. The light is baptism.
Otherwise you have a works based system and we know from countless other scriptures that salvation is NOT OF WORKS. Ephesians 2. What comes after belief and baptism is good works. There’s an order. Matthew 13:8, Galatians 5:22-26.
The whole message of the bible is that God saves sinners. God gives liberty and conscience based on cultural and time factors for us humans to squabble over. But the prime message is that humanity is sinful and the creation is cursed, but God sent Jesus into the world to save sinners. And the only way to be saved in through faith in Jesus alone.
One verse that is very helpful is Paul's letter to the Romans. Chapter 10 he in neck deep in doctrine and who can be saved. This is Paul's magnum opus, his grand letter, his most cogent work. He states in Romans 10:8-13
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.
11 It is just as the Scripture says: “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”e 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Not a peep of baptism. No where. Not even the use of the word, let alone the water type of baptism. "your heart you believe and are justified" This is it. This is how you are made right before God your Creator. Belief. And at that point you are justified. Made not-guilty. Period. Done. In fact in the adjacent chapters 9 and 11 there is no mention of baptism or ever even hinted at.
Do I believe in Baptism?
Yes! I certainly do. Why? Because it's the habit seen throughout the New testament. So does baptism now save you? No. Not in any saved-from-sin type of saved.
How someone is saved and justified righteous is simply by faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone.
Further study on this is helpful comparing Baptism to circumcision. Neither Baptism nor circumcision save. They are symbols. But as we know from scripture the substance belongs to Christ. (Col 2:17)