The Flood of Noah’s day pictures death, burial, and resurrection. The waters buried the earth in judgment, but they also lifted Noah and his family up to safety. The early church saw in the ark a picture of salvation. Noah and his family were saved by faith because they believed God and entered into the ark of safety. So sinners are saved by faith when they trust Christ and become one with Him.

When Peter wrote that Noah and his family were “saved by water,” he was careful to explain that this illustration does not imply salvation by baptism. Baptism is a “figure” of that which does save us, namely, “the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21). Water on the body, or the body placed in water, cannot remove the stains of sin. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can do that. However, baptism does save us from one thing: a bad conscience. Peter told his readers that a good conscience is important to a successful witness, and a part of that “good conscience” is being faithful to our commitment to Christ as expressed in baptism.

Today’s verse: “Water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21, NIV).

Also read: 1 John l:7-2:2, 1 Peter 3:16-22.

Action assignment: Write out what you believe about baptism. Tell God that you are trusting the blood of Christ to cleanse you. If you have not been baptized, determine what you should do about it.