The Necessity of Baptism

The Necessity of Baptism

1 Peter 3:21

I.          We understand from the text that Baptism is not here referred to in the metaphorical way, but the physical ordinance itself.

            A. It is the “like figure”  (antitupos) of the deluge.

            B. As real and physical as the deluge was, so is Baptism.

                        1. Therefore it must be visible and physical.

                        2. therefore it must have a pattern.

II.          We find therefore that Baptism (the ordinance) is essential to the Christian faith.

            A. It is the sign and seal for repentance and faith.

            B. To have a clear conscience before God.

Enhanced Strong's Lexicon:

499 ἀντίτυπος [antitupos /an·teet·oo·pon/] adj. Neuter of a compound of 473 and 5179; TDNT 8:246; TDNTA 1193; GK 531; Two occurrences; AV translates as “figure” once, and “like figure whereinto” once. 1 a thing formed after some pattern. 2 a thing resembling another, its counterpart. 2a something in the Messianic times which answers to the type, as baptism corresponds to the deluge (1 Pet 3:21).

The antitypical water, namely, baptism, saves you also not of itself, nor the mere material water, but the spiritual thing conjoined with it, repentance and faith, of which it is the sign and seal, as Peter proceeds to explain. Compare the union of the sign and thing signified, Jn 3:5; Eph 5:26; Tit 3:5; Heb 10:22; compare 1Jn 5:6.[1]

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[1]Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, A. R. Fausset, David Brown and David Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997). 1 Pe 3:21.