Week 41, Day 3
October 12, 2022 Scripture: 1 Peter 3 “In that state he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.” (1 Peter 3:19–22) Yesterday, a friend of mine shared that a family left the church he serves because of the church’s stance on baptism. They probably used the words like “essential”, “salvation” and “baptism” in the same sentence! Is baptism essential for salvation? Was the Ark essential for Noah and his family during the flood? Was crossing the Red Sea essential for Israel fleeing Egypt? Was crossing the Jordan essential for Israel to enter the Promised land? The way God moved his people, into new life, was through water. Peter draws on the Ark and Noah as a way of talking about baptism. It washes us, not on the outside, but it is the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. We parse the scriptures to say what is essential and what isn’t for salvation. People leave churches or never join them because of strong stances on baptism. Part of the reason why churches take such a strong stance is this verse: It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.” (1 Peter 3:22) Jesus is essential for salvation. The way I declare that commitment, the way I declare and make a pledge of my devotion to God is through baptism. Can someone be saved outside of baptism? That’s God’s call, not mine. Above my paygrade. But if you were to ask me, “how do I have a clear conscience?” or “How do I declare my love for God?” One significant part of that is baptism as a response of faith in Jesus. I enter the story of God’s people in baptism (the reason I think Jesus is baptized in Matthew 3). I receive the Spirit of God at baptism (Acts 2:37-42). I enter God’s mission (Matthew 28:19-20). I enter new life. I join Jesus in the life-saving resurrection (Colossians 2:12). I join with Jesus in his death, so that I may have new life (Romans 6). I join the body of believers and form a new people. (1 Corinthians 12:13). Could I have this without baptism? To a degree. But it would be without the prescribed form of declaration of commitment to Christ. Throughout the story of Israel, it is God and his powerful activity that are essential for salvation. Without God’s miraculous power and presence, we would not be saved. Jesus is why we are saved. Baptism is a response to the saving act of God. The Israelites drown in the Red Sea, or turn and are enslaved by Egypt once again if they don’t go into the sea. Without the parting of the waters of the Jordan, the Israelites stay wandering in the wilderness. Without the powerful work of God to save, we are all destined for death. Without repentance and turning towards God, responding to his gracious love, we are not saved. Jesus is essential for salvation. The work is done, how will I respond to his grace? My response to the faithfulness of Jesus is to declare to Jesus my Lord and Savior. I say to him, “I love you and want my life to be lived in you.” Part of how I declare Jesus as my Lord, Savior, and King, is to enter into water baptism as he instructs us to in the Great Commission. I enter the water to have new life in Christ. Baptism has unfortunately become a source of contention for people. A reason people leave one church for another. I won’t resolve that with one devotional thought, that’s not the aim here. It is to ask a question, will you be baptized? Will you join the mission of God? Will you walk with God in new life? How will you respond to the wonderful grace of Jesus?
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AuthorJordan Ickes, Minister of Etna Green Church of Christ. Archives
December 2022
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