The following is reprinted with permission
of The Timely Messenger
AN INFORMAL SURVEY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
A Dispensational Approach
I PETER
By: R B. Shiflet
I. THE REALITY OF SALVATION 1:2-21
II. THE REQUIREMENT OF BROTHERLY LOVE 1:22-25
III. THE READINESS FOR WORSHIP 2:1-3
IV. THE "ROYAL PRIESTHOOD" AND THE BODY OF CHRIST 2:4-10
V. THE REMINDER TO LIVE HOLY LIVES 2:11-12
VI. THE RESPONSIBILITY TO AUTHORITIES 2:13-17
VII. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF WIVES AND HUSBANDS 3:1-7
VIII. THE REPRESENTATIVE TRAITS OF CHRISTIAN LIVING 3:8-12
IX. RECOGNIZING THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST 3:13-15
X. REFLECTIONS ON SUFFERING-OURS AND CHRIST'S
A. Our Suffering
B. Christ's Suffering 3:18-19
1. The Precept
2. The Profoundness
3. The Purpose
4. The Puzzle
"By which which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
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 the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but
the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus
Christ." (I Pet. 3:18-21)
We noted the profoundness yet the simplicity of the message in I Peter
3:18. Now look at all the things in these verses. As God's people have
read these verses across the centuries, questions abound. Who were the
"spirits in prison" to whom Christ preached "in or 'by')
spirit?" What, or where, is this "prison?" What did He
preach to them? When did this preaching take place? Were the "spirits"
formerly human beings? Were any of these spirits delivered from their
prison? Why is the time period of Noah and the flood mentioned in connection
with them? Obviously, the eight souls that were "saved by water'
were Noah, his wife, their three sons and their wives. The next verse
says "the like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us."
Many people take these two statements to be proof positive that water
baptism is essential to salvation. But were the eight souls "immersed"?
Did they receive water baptism by sprinkling or effusion? And we must
answer that the water did not touch these eight souls. How does this illustrate
the way that baptism also now saves us?
These are all valid questions. These verses have been used to promote
such false teachings as purgatory, "second chance salvation"
whereby those who rejected Christ while alive on earth will have a chance
to hear the gospel in their "prison" and be saved after death.
They are often used to teach water baptismal regeneration. While we admit
that water baptism was in the commission given to Peter (but not that
given to Paul for the body of Christ), obviously Peter is referring to
something greater and deeper here than the "Repent and be baptized"
kingdom gospel that he preached on the Day of Pentecost. We reject these
attempts to explain this passage because they are inconsistent with the
remainder of Scripture.
In next month's installment, we shall give our understanding of the passage
and try to answer the questions we have raised this time. Not everyone
will be satisfied with our comments, and the passage remains open for
study-much study!
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