The Bible incorporates a number of models, analogies and other forms of figures of speech to convey its message. Models include people (Moses, Joseph, David, and Daniel are each considered models to describe certain aspects of the Messiah), places (Sodom & Gomorrah, Valley of the Son of Hinnom to describe destruction and hell, respectively), books (book of Joshua as a model to the book of Revelation), etc. Here Peter goes back to a period where God used a great flood to judge humanity as an illustration pointing to the saving grace of Jesus.
3:20b when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 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,
Peter calls our attention to a time when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah (read Genesis 6:1-8, note especially verse three), while the ark was being constructed. God gave the world 120 years from the time Noah started to build the ark to the time He closed the door of the ark to turn from their wicked ways. In which a few (8 people, Noah and his three sons and their wives) were brought safely through the waters of destruction and judgment.
Now God is offering escape from destruction and judgment again through Jesus. Peter proclaims to us that baptism corresponds to the saving grace of God to us. In other words, those that were saved in the flood (the eight people) represented those who have been, or will be saved, from eternal damnation through Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross. Peter is essentially pointing an emphatic finger at us and yelling for all to hear, “baptism can save you too!”
The people of the world today are in the same danger of destruction as the people of Noah’s day were (see Romans 6:1-4; 2 Peter 3:10-12). In case someone might not follow what Peter is saying, he is clarifying his point by mentioning that he was not referring to the immersion of water or the Jewish ritual of the flesh being made ceremonially clean (see Exodus 19:10; Leviticus 15 as well as other Rabbinical practices; see also John 11:55, often referred to as baptism). Peter says we need to understand that this an appeal to God for a good conscience. A willingness to believe (the Greek word for ‘appeal’ implies someone who is earnestly seeking)[1] in the promises of God and confess through the resurrection of Jesus Christ that Jesus is their Lord and Savior, who is no longer in the grave since He ascended into heaven and is sitting at the right hand of His Father.
In 1 Corinthians chapter 15, the Apostle Paul wrote that the central theme of Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus from the grave. He argues that without the resurrection there is no hope (see 1 Corinthians 15:10-34; Philippians 2:9-11). But the good news is that Jesus is indeed no longer in that grave! (read 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 for a snapshot of the gospel message).
3:22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
Peter continues in verse 22 to remind us that Jesus not only ascended into heaven and is at the right hand of God, He is also with the angels, authorities, and powers, all of which are now under His authority. We need to be regularly reminded that the ultimate authority in heaven and on earth is Jesus.
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18b-20)
What does that mean to us? IF HE IS IN CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE YOU NEED TO BE DOING WHAT HE SAID YOU SHOULD BE DOING! We all need to understand is that we have all been recruited to evangelize (yes, you heard me correctly). We need to make disciples (not people who want the easy way out), baptize them and teach them everything Jesus taught us. It’s that simple. How is this done? Start by becoming intimate with Him and His Word.
In 1 Corinthians chapter three where Paul is addressing some issues that had created division among the members at the church in Corinth, he talks about how each Christian’s efforts in telling others about Jesus will be made known and revealed by fire. In other words, were our efforts in proclaiming Christ meaningful and lasting or were they burned up quickly and disappeared? Paul goes on to say that even though for some whose efforts were burned up they will still be saved; however no rewards will be given (read 1 Corinthians 3:13-15). The choice is ours, either be a disciple of Jesus and help others find salvation or simply be a person that no one can tell that you are a Christian. When I read the book of Acts and the 21 epistles of the New Testament, I see that the authors of these books are not talking to undercover Christians, they are definitely talking to disciples of Jesus, people who are completely devoted to Jesus and spreading the good news about salvation.
In the last few verses of the gospel according to Matthew, Jesus is talking to all Christians, and recruits all of us to make disciples of all nations (again, not undercover Christians, read Matthew 28:16-20). Notice how Jesus in verse 18 says that all authority has been given to Him. Is there anything more important than the person that has all authority? No, He should be our top priority. So, right about now you may be asking, what is a disciple? In simple terms a disciple is one who learns from a teacher (in this case Jesus) and then follows the Master’s teaching. In our case we have all 66 books of the Bible we should know and be willing to teach others. Jesus taught His disciples and they in turn, as apostles (from the Greek word that essentially means “one who was sent”), teach us just as we in turn teach others and so forth (this process is often called the apostolic process or movement).
I know for some the word ‘evangelism’ is a bad word and is avoided at all costs. It is true that not everyone is gifted to evangelize but as pointed out above we are all called to make known to others Jesus and His free gift of salvation. Evangelism can be direct, which involves us being used by the Holy Spirit to interact directly with people He places in our lives or indirectly, empowered by the Holy Spirit to demonstrate godly living. As you can see there is no single way to evangelize, we just need to be willing, as the Holy Spirit guides us.
It’s your choice, be a disciple for Jesus or be an undercover Christian (both are Christian, however the disciple is someone that is willing to be used by God).
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[1] Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software. Strong’s Greek No. 1906