Laughingstock Noah isn’t being laughed at now. While the rest of the world is buried under a flood of destruction, Noah and his family are safe in the ark. God “closed the door” (Genesis 7:16b, NLT) and it would not be opened again until God gave the order (see Genesis 8:18).
Noah and his family were saved because: (A) Noah “walked in close fellowship with God” (Genesis 6:9b) and (B) “Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him” (Genesis 6:22).
Jesus identifies Himself as “the door,” stating in John 10:9a, “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved” (John 10:9a, NASB). As I keep saying, the Bible continually points to Jesus. All those who entered through “the door” were saved.
There’s so much symbolism in the account of the flood. Peter words it this way: “God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. 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” (I Peter 3:20b-21).
“Baptism, which now saves you.” This is a huge can of worms, folks. For some, the very act of baptism means you are indeed saved. Some denominations baptize infants, believing that the baptism of an infant is an act of salvation. Others baptize as an outward sign of an inward change.
Who’s right and who’s wrong? Do your own research, y’all, but here’s my personal opinion. Baptizing an infant doesn’t bring that child salvation. A child must reach an age where he realizes for himself his sinful nature and need for a Savior. Until that time, I believe a child is not held accountable before the Lord. Just as with an adult, a child must be mature to understand the decision he’s making. If it were possible to bring salvation to a child through baptism, then it would also be possible to bring salvation to an adult who was unwittingly baptized. No, I firmly believe salvation comes only through a clear understanding and acceptance of Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior.
What about “baptism, which now saves you?” While many people slam one denomination who stresses the necessity of baptism, others stick baptism on the back burner like it’s a trivial matter. According to my Bible, it isn’t. When a person realizes his need for a Savior, he confesses that to God and receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Then, Peter says you are baptized “as a response to God from a clean conscience.”
Baptism is not something to be taken lightly. Nor is it something to be done expecting it to wash away your sins. It won’t. But when you go into the baptismal waters having confessed your sins and asked Jesus Christ to come into your heart as your personal Lord and Savior, your baptism is “effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Your old life and self are symbolically buried beneath the baptismal waters and you are raised from the waters to a new life in Christ Jesus.
If you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and you haven’t been baptized, you need to get ‘er done – throughout the New Testament, it’s clearly shown to be the very first act of obedience in a new believer. If you were baptized before you truly came to know Christ, you need to get your baptism in proper order. Talk to your pastor and tell him you want to be baptized as a true believer.
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