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By Neal Griffin
A few points about the above title deserve attention. First of all, even though many understand it the way it is written in the title, it is not written that way in 1'st Peter 3:21. "Water", is noticeably missing in the passage and scholars are in agreement that water is not the only element of Scriptural baptism. Jesus was to be baptized in death (Matthew 20:22). The fathers who were baptized in the cloud and in the sea (1'st Corinthians 10:2) never came in contact with the water.
Secondly, Noah, to whose experience 1'st Peter 3:21 has direct reference, never came into contact with the water. As a matter of fact he was protected from it by the ark. Arks save. Water drowns. 1'st Peter 3:21 allows that, "in a like manner baptism doth now save us". By no stretch of the imagination should it be concluded that Noah was baptized in water. It is a travesty to claim that, "in a like manner", is referring to water baptism. No doubt, the passage was referring to an immersion, but an immersion in what? It certainly was not referring to water. It, no doubt, was referring to Noah's deliverance. It was referring to his deliverance by the Holy Spirit from an evil generation. The similarity (in a like manner) between Noah's salvation and ours is that the Holy Spirit delivers us out of a Hell-bound generation into salvation and marvelous light. The deliverance is accomplished by Him and not by us in water baptism. The claim that water baptism, or any other feat of man, saves is a direct contradiction to Matthew 19:26 and Romans 9:16. Jesus said that salvation is "impossible" on the part of man but "possible" on the part of God. This speaks of the miraculous nature of salvation. Noah's deliverance was wonderfully miraculous from start to finish and so is ours.
Salvation is of God. Scripture alludes to the salvation of God in numerous passages. It is a free gift from Him and men flatter their egos when they argue that they can accomplish (gain) salvation by their performance. This is what the rich young ruler of Matthew 19 wished to do. He asked what "he" could do to "gain" salvation. Jesus explained in verse 26 that there was nothing he could do. In fact He said, "impossible". The simple truth is that Jesus did the "gaining" for us. He performed the essential requirements at Calvary.
The brethren who insist that water baptism is essential to salvation argue that this is not the same as advocating baptismal regeneration, but if you are lost without it and saved only with it, you are most certainly saved "BY" it. Their argument flies in the face of the fact that salvation accrues to us "NOT" because of deeds done by us in righteousness (Titus 3:4-5). Salvation is "impossible" on the part of man. Matthew 19:26 and Romans 9:16. The washing of regeneration is of the Holy Spirit and not by water baptism and we are being changed into Christ's image by the Holy Spirit, not by our works. 2'nd Corinthians 3:18.
Neal Griffin
10514 Bar X Trail
Helotes, Texas 78023
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