The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 1300, titled "Bible Questions and Answers."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.

Question

Would you explain 1Peter 3:21, "The like figure unto which even baptism doth also now save us.”?

Answer

Look at it and let’s see if we can. We studied this a long time ago, but you probably have forgotten, those of you who were even here… Let’s look at it. This is a very difficult passage. I mean, the whole passage is difficult. It says in 21, “The like figure unto which even baptism doth also now save us.” Now, you see, here’s the problem: people say, “Oh! Baptismal regeneration is here! The like figure, what like figure? The ark in verse 20. Just like the ark saved those eight people, so baptism, which is a ‘like figure’--it is an antitupon, an antitype, a pattern--just like that ark saved those people, so baptism saves us!”

“Oh,” you say, “Does that mean that we believe in baptismal regeneration?” No! Look at the next statement: “Not the putting away of the filth of the flesh”--not a bath, not physical water! But the answer of “what”? A good conscience toward God. Then, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Now, notice: the “like figure,” as those individuals got in that ark, they were saved, right? Now, watch this--beautiful: “As you are placed in Jesus Christ and baptized into his death and,” what? “Resurrection, so you are saved.” It’s the baptism of Romans 6. You’re buried with him in baptism, into his death; you rise to walk in newness of life. There isn’t any H₂O here! That’s what he’s saying! It isn’t the putting away of the filth of the flesh, it isn’t washing your body in water; it is--what is the baptism of the Spirit? It is the Spirit placing us into the body. It is our union with Christ. We die and we rise. And you see, that’s the picture--just like souls. You see, if it was water baptism, this wouldn’t make sense!

“Just like the people in the ark were saved, so the people in the water are saved”? No, no. That’s a bad analogy. It was because they were in the ark, out of the water, they got saved, right? It would be a terrible analogy! I mean, give Peter a little credit: he’s not going to mess up his metaphor… And the Holy Spirit is the author. No, it’s the being in Christ that is the baptism.

When I put my faith in him, was I identified with him, was I crucified with him, did I die with him and rise to walk in newness of life? That’s Romans 6. That is the baptism, OK? Now you understand it. So, it is my being placed in Jesus Christ.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
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