1 Peter 3:21 — Community Reflections

1 PETER 3:21 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”

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 — the assertion that baptism 'now saves you also' (sōizei hymas...baptisma) appears to claim salvific efficacy for the sacrament, yet immediately clarifies that baptism is 'not putting away the filth of flesh' (apothesis rhypou sarkos) but 'petition for good conscience toward God' (eperōtēma syneidēseōs agathēs eis theon). The saving power derives not from the rite itself but from resurrection (anastatsis).

Church Fathers on 1 Peter 3:21

After having said that Christ was put to death in the flesh, and quickened in the spirit, the apostle immediately went on to say: in which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison; which sometime were unbelieving, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water; thereafter he added the words: which baptism also now by a like figure has saved you. 1 Peter 3:18-21…
Augustine · 4th century · Letter 164 (to Evodius), 2

But how? Do not [the Scriptures] show that the Lord preached the Gospel to those that perished in the flood, or rather had been chained, and to those kept in ward and guard? 1 Peter 3:19-20 And it has been shown also, in the second book of the Stromata, that the apostles, following the Lord, preached the Gospel to those in Hades. For it was requisite, in my opinion, that as here, so also there, the best of the disciples should be imitators of the Master; so that He should…
Clement of Alexandria · 3rd century · Stromata VI.6

Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain

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