1st Peter 3:18-ff

"For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 19in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, 20who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. 21Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you, not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

[The He in Verse 19 is Jesus but it is Jesus speaking through the mouth of Moses.]

BAPTISM: [THE ANTITYPE]

1. Likewise we now have "anti type" Christians are saved in the opposite manner (anti type) by baptism.

a. Noah was saved by floating on top of the water and we are saved by going under the water.

*saved by grace - Gen. 6:8

*saved by faith - Heb. 11:7

*saved by water - 1st Peter 3:21; Mark 16:16 and Acts 22:16

Water destroyed sin in days of Noah and God destroys sin in baptism. Rom. 6:3-4.

Water washed away sin in days of Noah and water washes away our sin at baptism. Acts 22:16

b. How Baptism Saves

* It is not an exterior washing. Not washing dirt from body.

* It is an interior washing. It makes the conscience clean. "an appeal to a clear conscience."

* Appeal: eperotema. ---"an inquiry, a question, a demand, earnest seeking.

E. The Christian's Salvation through suffering. 1st Peter 3:20-4:6

1. Salvation from future Suffering through baptism.

How Water Saved Noah

NAS - "the ark, in which a few, that is eight persons were brought to safety through water.

NIV,ASV -"were saved through water."

How Baptism Saves Christians

NAS" And corresponding to that baptism now saves you---not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal for a clear conscience to God.

Water Saved Noah as a Model of how water Saves Christians.

Noah's salvation through water is a type (tupos) of the Christian salvation through water.

Baptism is an anti type (antitupos

of the flood. That is "against the type or backwards. Noah was saved by floating on top of water and we are saved by going under the water.

2. Water Saves only when Faith is expressed in God's ark of safety.

Noah was saved through the water only because he was in the ark. Noah's faith in God moved him to build and enter the ark which enabled the waters to lift it to safety and destroy the sinners left behind.	Christians are saved through baptism because they place their faith in that which baptism symbolizes (the death, burial and resurrection of Christ). Baptism saves because it places one in Christ, our ark of safety. Thus, baptism saves us through the resurrection of Christ.

3. Water Saves only the Few who enter the Ark of Safety.

Water became a sign of destruction for the many who disbelieved and refused to enter the ark. Water raised up to salvation only 8 who believed and obeyed.

Baptism saves only those who believe and obey the gospel, trusting and entering the ark of safety. Jesus aid few would enter the narrow gate o baptism and be saved. (Matt. 7:13-14 and Acts 2:38ff.

4. Water saves as the Medium Through Which God's Saving Power Is Manifested.

Noah was not saved by staying out of the water: he was completely immersed in the midst of water.

The word "baptism" is a transliteration. It is actually the word "immersed" when translated. Christians are saved by immersion.

5. Water Saves by Burying Sin & Destroying it.

Water of the flood buried sinful man and his sinful works.

Water of baptism buries us into the death of Christ and sin is crucified (Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:11-12).

6. Water saves by washing Away sin.

Water of the flood washed away the sinful deeds of a wicked world. Gen. 7:23

Water of baptism washes away our sin. Acts 22:16

7. Water saves by Separating the old life from the new.

Water of the flood separated Noah from his old life and brought him into a new life.

Water of baptism destroys the old man of sin and raises a new man. Rom. 6:3-4

8. Water saves by Bringing Man into a New Covenant Relationship with God

Water of the flood destroyed the old covenant God had with the world and brought Noah into a new covenant relationship with God. Gen. 8:13-9:17

In water of baptism man dies to the law of sin and death and comes under the law of the spirit of life in Christ. Rom. 6:1-7

9. Water Saves by Transferring From the Old World to the New.

Water of the flood transferred Noah from a world of sin into a world of righteousness.

Water of baptism transfer men from the kingdom of Satan and sin into the kingdom and body of Christ. 1st Cor. 12:13 and Col. 1:13; Rev. 1:5-6.

B. Explanation of How Baptism Saves From Future Suffering. 1st Peter 3:21.

(1) Baptism does not save by external cleaning: "not the removal of dirt from the flesh."

(2) Baptism saves by an internal cleaning. An appeal for a clear conscience.

C. Salvation from Future suffering is Conditional on Submission to Present Suffering. 1st Peter 4: 1-6

a. Arming with the mind of Jesus to Suffer 1st Peter 4:1a

1.hoplisasthe - aorist imperative - a command to take up arms for Christ. Our weapons are not carnal but spiritual. 2nd Cor. 10:4.

2. Jesus learned obedience through the things he suffered. Heb. 5:8

3. All the followers of Christ have been called to suffer as their master suffered. Phil. 1:29

b. He who suffers death in the flesh ceases from sin. 1st Peter 4: 1b.

1. When we die our days of sin are over with.

2. But the old man of sin died with Jesus at baptism, therefore, the Christian is already dead to sin.

3. Christians ought to arm themselves with this mind.

4. Even though a Christian continues to sin, the blood of Jesus washes us clean. 1st John 1:7.

c. He who died to sin in baptism should now live to the Lord instead of lust. 1st Peter 4: 2-3.

d. Inevitable suffering of those who cease from sin. "in this they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excess of dissipation and they malign you." 1st Peter 4:4

e. Same subject is continued in 4:6 ff.

22who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him. "

Keep Fervent in Your Love

1Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. 4In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; 5but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.

A. V. 4:1-4 " Jesus learned obedience through suffering.

B. All followers of Christ have been called to suffer as Jesus did.

C. He who suffers death in the flesh ceases to sin.

1. When we die, our days of sin are over with.

2. In another sense, the old man of sin died at baptism so the Christian is already dead to sin.

D. He who died to sin in baptism must no longer serves lust!.

E. Those Christian's who cease from sinning will suffer at the hands of others.

V. 5-6FF. It is God who will judge the living and the dead. Dead Christians, who have been judged on this earth by men, will live again in the Spirit since they had the gospel preached to them.

7The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. 8Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

The reason we ought to be of sound judgment and a sober spirit is because the end is near. Since that is the case.

1. Keep praying

2. May sure love is fervent (Agape)

a. Love is supreme (above all)

b. The quality of love is (fervent)

c. The object of love is (one another)

1) Love then forgives sins (Ps. 85:2)

2) Love overlooks sins (Prov. 25:2)

3) Love seeks to restore the sinner (Jas. 5:20)

4) Love shows mercy for the sinner. (Matt. 6:12Z)

3. Don't complain, but be hospitable.

10As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

A. Everyone has a gift and:

1. Must be used for God.

2. Some People Speak

3. Other people Serve.

4. These Gifts are supplied by God. (Eph. 4:6 compare Psalms 68:18).

12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;

I. As a Christian one ought to expect to suffer. Suffering is no surprise.

II. This is probably the Neroian persecution that will be followed by Domitian. (64-96)

13but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.

I. We ought to suffer with joy knowing that:

II. When Jesus returns there will be much more reason to rejoice.

14If you are reviled for the name of Christ,you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

I. Being cursed for Jesus is a blessing.

II. God will give you glory.

15Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.

I. It is still better to suffer for good than for evil.

II. It is a way to glorify God.

III. The OT said told us that God's people were to be called by a new name. Isaiah 62: 2. Fulfilled in Acts 11:26, divinely called. Not the word kalleo or philo.

17For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18.AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?

I. This is why it is better to suffer for good than evil.

II. Repeat the verse.

III. Context, the righteous will be saved only after passing through much suffering.

19Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.