Thursday, February 19
And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 3:21)
When Peter said that “baptism… saves you”, he did not want his readers to misunderstand baptism. The power is not in the water itself. It is not a physical washing that brings spiritual transformation. Baptism is not about external cleansing. Baptism is the outward declaration of an inward experience.
Peter is careful here because religious rituals can easily be misunderstood. It is possible to go through outward motions without inward change. Water may wash skin, but it cannot cleanse sin. A ceremony may mark a moment, but it cannot regenerate the heart.
Peter is protecting the Gospel from being misunderstood. Salvation does not come through physical action alone. It comes through what the action represents, namely, faith in Christ’s finished work.
For those of us who believe, this is freeing. Our standing with God does not depend on perfect ritual performance. It depends on Christ. Baptism is a beautiful, obedient response. But it is not a magical act. It is a sign of something deeper that has already occurred inside.
This verse calls us to examine our hearts. Are we relying on outward symbols or inward trust? Are we satisfied with appearance, or are we seeking transformation? God has always been concerned with the heart. Faith is not “skin-deep.” It reaches into the conscience, identity, and surrender.
Doing the Word
Get baptized.
Prayer
Dear Father, guard me from empty ritual. Cleanse my heart, not just my outward actions. Help me live with genuine faith that flows from deep trust in Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Amen.
I view baptism also as the Bride taking on the name of her Husband—Lord Jesus Christ.