Scripture

That water is a picture of baptism which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effectual because of the resurrection of Christ.

Observation

Christ died for our sins once for all time. He died for us to bring us home to God.

After his death, Christ preached to the evil spirits in prison. Some people believe that demons are disembodied spirits from the Nephilim of Noah’s day.

Eight people survived the flood. This is a picture of our baptism that saves us. It is not the action itself, but its symbolism of a heart cleansed by the Holy Spirit.

Christ has ascended to heaven and He rules over all the angels and authorities.

Application

Baptism in itself is not does not save us. It is based in the resurrection of Christ.

We rarely think of Noah’s Ark and the Great Flood in the in the context of baptism, but this event is a good representation of baptism. In baptism we go through drowning, as it were, and then we come out resurrected to new life in Christ.

It was the mercy of God that preserved Noah and his family through the flood. It is the mercy of God through Christ’s death and resurrection that preserves us from judgement and condemnation.

Christian baptism is not about being washed clean in the water. It is about dying to our old self and sharing in the resurrection of Christ. We are born again when we pass through the water.

Is baptism essential to salvation?. No. But it is helpful in our commitment to the Lord.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the gift of baptism. Help me to live it out in service to you. Amen.