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"An antitype"

Text: 1 Peter 3:21

THE PERSONAGES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

The people mentioned in the Old Testament were real. However, their lives were also symbolic. The events also had symbolic significance.

“There is also an antitype which now saves us—
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,
who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God,
angels and authorities and powers
having been made subject to Him.”
1 Peter 3:21-22

1. “There is also an antitype which now saves us- baptism”

a) The salvation given by God.

i) Noah’s family was saved “through water”.

ii) This was of great symbolic significance.

b) Baptism was used as a symbol

i) Of our salvation.

ii) It is called “an antitype”.

2. “Not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God”

a) Baptism does not actually remove the filth of the flesh.

i) We are sinful.

ii) Because of sin we are unclean (“filthy”).

b) “A good conscience toward God”

i) God has cleansed our conscience.

ii) We can testify that we have been forgiven and cleansed by God.

iii) Our good conscience (one that has been cleansed) will bear testimony.

3. “Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ”

The resurrection of the Lord Jesus is of great significance:

a) His death was the atonement for our sins.

b) God has justified us (declared us righteous) through faith.

c) His resurrection is significant proof of God’s approval.

d) We may be confident of our salvation in Christ because of His resurrection.

4. “Who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God”

a) The Lord Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9).

b) He is at the right hand of God (Hebrews 1:3).

5. “Angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him”

a) Christ Jesus is indeed Lord.

b) All are made subject to Him:

i) Angels

ii) Authorities

iii) Powers

c) The Lord Jesus declared that authority to His disciples (Matthew 28:18).