1 Peter 3:21
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:
While water baptism is a significant outward symbol of our faith, Peter emphasizes that true baptism goes beyond the physical act. It’s about a deeper, spiritual transformation: "not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God." It is believing the good news in our conscience and accepting that Jesus washed away all of our sins.
This is the true baptism the bible is speaking about. Not of flesh which is filthy forever, but of Spirit which needs eternal cleansing.
Water baptism symbolizes the believer's death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It represents the washing away of sin and the beginning of a new life in Christ. However, Peter clarifies that the physical act of being immersed in water is not what saves us. It's much deep and profund meaning is that of a spiritual cleansing eternally and internally.
True baptism is a spiritual experience. It is the inner transformation that occurs when we place our faith in Jesus' precious blood. This spiritual baptism is the work of the Holy Spirit which makes us a new creation through belief, not water. When we are spiritually baptized, we are united with Christ in His death and resurrection, and we receive the the Holy Spirit. It cleanses us from Head to toe, just like a physical baptism, and absolves us of all sin, past, present, and future.
That is why God says it is the answer.."the answer of a good conscience toward God." Our conscience must be moved to the good news of God. We are no longer sinners but righteous and sanctified. This is the conscience God calls good.
True baptism leads to a clear and clean conscience before God. It’s the result of having our sins forgiven and being made righteous through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. When our conscience is spiritually clear in this way, we can approach God with confidence, knowing that we are accepted, loved, and perfected!
It is by His resurrection that we are given new life. Just as Jesus was raised from the dead, we too are raised and walk in newness of life. Our old self is crucified with Christ, and we are reborn as new creations in Him.
Please live boldly as a new creation in Christ, we are no longer sinners but righteous. This is what the spiritual baptism has obtained for us! Amen! Hallelujah!
