Saved BY Water

by Ron Sorg

This is not really a Bible study but an answer to questions asked concerning "saved by water" in:

(1 Peter 3:20-21 KJV) - Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21 The like figure whereunto, even baptism doth also now save us (not that putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Questions:

1. Can you explain this verse, in particular: "Saved by water" and "baptism does also now save us"?
2. Also, will Israel need to practice water baptism once the prophetic program resumes? If Israel needs to be baptized when the program resumes, what would be the reasoning for it then? The priesthood function?

Ron's answer:

In 1 Peter 3:20-21, Peter is using the illustration of Noah and water (flood) to explain the significance of baptism to the Jews of his day as well as the tribulation saints to come; all of which are part of God's prophetic program. Peter says that Noah and his family were saved BY water because it was the water of judgement that separated Noah and his family from the judgement of God. It was the water or flood that separated Noah and his family from the heathen of his day who were consumed by God's wrath and subsequently saved by it (Matthew 24:37-41).

As you know water in the Bible is associated with purification (Exodus 29: 1-4) and separation (Ephesians 5: 26). Another picture of this is found in Matthew 3:7-12, 3:36-43 when the fire (Tribulation) separates the wheat from chaff/tares (believers from unbelievers), one is saved and the other is destroyed. So in both cases it is the water and fire that saves believing people.

This is why the KJV says BY water in 1Peter1: 20. This is also why Peter uses the flood illustration to point out that water baptism saves the Jewish saints in the same way that the water saved Noah and his family; because water baptism purifies and separates those Jewish saints from the apostates of their day.

Water baptism is the means or doorway of entrance that the little flock or remnant of Jewish believers will be spared from the wrath of fire during the tribulation period (Matthew 3:1-12, Luke12: 32, Mark.1: 4, 14-15,16:16, 1Peter 4: 17) and who will inherit the Kingdom of God when Christ returns (Luke 12: 32, Daniel 2: 44). It also prepares them for their office of priesthood ...(Exodus 29: 1-4, 1Peter 2: 9-10).