THE ARK PREFIGURES THE BAPTISM INTO JESUS CHRIST

The apostle Peter wrote about"the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us, namely baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (1 Pet. 3:20-21)

It is because of the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ water baptism “now saves us, namely baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God). The apostle Paul wrote: "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Rom. 6:3-4)

Consider this scenario of the Great Deluge as the Ark was completely engulfed by water on all sides. "On that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights." (Gen. 7:11-12) With the heavy torrential rain coming down upon the Ark which is floating on the sea it is the imagery of water baptism by total immersion. Noah and his family inside the Ark during the storm and flood corresponds to being buried with the Lord Jesus Christ in baptism. (Col. 2:12).

During the Great Flood God had used a common element - water - to save His chosen ones and destroy wickedness at the same time. In the same way God saves His people from sin through water baptism into the Lord Jesus Christ. (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38;22:16)