Full Verse for Context (1 Peter 3:21):
"Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (ESV)
Exegesis Breakdown
1. “Baptism, which corresponds to this…”
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"This" refers back to Noah's salvation through water in verse 20. Just as Noah and his family were brought safely through water in the ark, Christians are now saved through a kind of corresponding “water event”—baptism.
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The Greek word antitupos ("corresponds to") means a counterpart or foreshadowing. Noah’s ark and the flood symbolize judgment and salvation—judgment on the sinful world and salvation for those in the ark. Baptism is the antitype, the spiritual reality that the flood prefigured.
2. “...now saves you...”
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This phrase has led to debate, but Peter clarifies that the act of baptism isn’t magical or merely physical.
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It does save, but not in the sense of ritual washing or external ceremony.
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The saving effect of baptism is linked to inner transformation and faith, not the physical water.
3. “...not as a removal of dirt from the body...”
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This negates the idea that baptism is a mere physical act (like taking a bath or performing a ritual cleansing).
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Peter emphasizes that salvation does not come from external purification.
4. “...but as an appeal to God for a good conscience...”
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The Greek word translated “appeal” (eperōtēma) can mean either:
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A request or appeal, or
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A pledge or commitment.
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This phrase is likely best understood as:
"a sincere response or appeal to God arising from faith, seeking a clear conscience"—a conscience cleansed by grace, not works. -
Baptism, then, signifies a believer’s turning to God, trusting Him for forgiveness, and desiring to live in righteousness.
5. “...through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
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The power of baptism is not in the water, but in the resurrection of Christ.
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Salvation comes through union with Christ in His death and resurrection (cf. Romans 6:3–5).
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Baptism is meaningful only because Jesus rose from the dead, defeating sin and death. Without that, baptism is just symbolic and powerless.
Theological Implications
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Baptism does not save apart from faith. It is not a work that earns salvation.
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It is an outward expression of inward faith, and a God-ordained means of grace when received in faith.
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The emphasis is on the spiritual reality baptism points to—a good conscience before God secured by Christ’s resurrection.
Summary
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| "Baptism now saves you" | Not through ritual or water alone, but through the inward reality it represents |
| "Not as a removal of dirt" | Salvation is not from the outward act |
| "Appeal to God for a good conscience" | A sincere cry of faith or pledge to follow Christ |
| "Through the resurrection" | The source of salvation's power is Jesus' victory over death |
Application
This verse encourages believers to:
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Take baptism seriously as a faith response and public commitment.
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Understand that baptism symbolizes a spiritual cleansing and a new life aligned with the resurrected Christ.
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Reflect on whether their baptism was accompanied by true faith and a desire for a cleansed conscience before God.
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