Sermon | 1 Peter 3:19–22 | 2026 April 26
Title: Sermon | 1 Peter 3:19–22 | 2026 April 26
Scripture: 1 Peter 3:19–22 (ESV, reference only)
Date: 2026 April 26
Speaker: Rev. John Chen
Translated & edited by: Joseph Wang (Yufan)
Scripture: 1 Peter 3:19–22.
Title: The Baptism Signified by This Water (April 26, 2026)
Theme Statement: Through baptism, we are to understand Christ’s salvation for us, and it also signifies that we are to live a holy life.
Question Statement: What does the baptism signified by this water mean?
Transition Statement: There are several aspects of its meaning.
Keyword: Aspects (what)
Introduction: Today we have several members who will be baptized.
Understand the judgment that sinners must bear.
What exactly is the condition of humanity? Is it completely autonomous, or is it under some kind of constraint? Modern people shift all moral responsibility away from themselves, take the satisfaction of their fleshly desires as the purpose of life, and boast without any restraint.
However, the revelation of the Bible is completely the opposite. Because they have sinned against the infinite God, sinners must bear judgment. Every person has upon himself a covenant of works. This does not depend on human will, nor does it consider whether one is willing, likes it, or even knows it—this responsibility has already been given to man. And to violate this covenant of works results in judgment.
The apostle Peter uses the flood in Noah’s time to demonstrate God’s judgment upon sinners, and also to explain the meaning of baptism. Or rather, in order to explain the meaning of baptism, the apostle Peter directs people’s attention to the judgment of the flood in Noah’s time.
In Noah’s generation, just as in the present generation, people acted recklessly, living entirely in a state without God, each turning to his own way. Genesis 6:9 says that every intention of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. Genesis 6:11–12 says that the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. This was the condition at that time, and it is also the condition of our present age. We have already fallen into an age of unbelief.
Regarding sin, God will not ignore it; rather, He will ultimately intervene. God is the true owner of this world, and the owner will not allow the wicked to destroy His possession. Therefore, God began His work of judgment. Moreover, God’s judgment is absolutely severe and righteous.
Genesis 7:17–24 shows how severe God’s judgment is. Sinners have no way to escape this judgment. This was an epic judgment, and all humanity fell under the curse of God’s wrath.
All people must bear such judgment, without exception. Among those judged were kings, wealthy people, celebrities, scientists, and so on.
This is the outcome of humanity after disobeying God’s will: no exceptions, no accidents, no survivors. Humanity is absolutely unable to escape the fierce wrath of the Creator.
The various awards of humanity are highly deceptive, because the winners appear to have gained the recognition of the majority. The problem is that man is not the standard of the world—God is. No matter how many awards or honors one gains in this world, they are all empty and false. Ultimately, man must face God’s judgment.
Understand the salvation that Noah received.
In this great judgment, how was Noah’s family saved? It was by a vessel instructed by God. Genesis 6:13–18 shows that Noah’s family was saved through the covenant. This was a great vessel that had never existed before, and from the perspective of that time, it was completely unnecessary. From a human point of view, it was useless. It had no oars and no rudder. Why would anyone need such a meaningless vessel?
From the situation at that time, Noah was likely a wealthy man, yet even so, building the ark consumed all his savings. Why did he do this? Because he believed God’s word. This is just like us today: why do we come to church and receive baptism? What benefit do we gain? Nothing. If there is nothing to gain, why still come? Because we believe God’s word. God says there will be judgment. God says that only in Jesus Christ can one be saved. This ark is a type—only by entering the covenant of grace do sinners have hope.
Not only was Noah’s family saved, but also all living creatures created by God were preserved through this vessel. This ark became the only hope in the flood. Other vessels were useless; only this uniquely large vessel was effective.
Why did the people not build a large vessel? Because there was no need. In other words, Noah built a vessel that was completely unnecessary at that time, simply because God instructed him to do so.
Yet did God show mercy to people? Did God give them an opportunity to repent? Genesis 6:3 shows that God gave humanity 120 years, and Genesis 7:7 shows that God gave them a final warning of seven days.
That is to say, before the final judgment came, God used Noah’s family as a testimony to tell the world that judgment would surely come. However, the reason people were judged was their unbelief.
We can imagine the ridicule, humiliation, and mockery that Noah’s family suffered at that time, just as people today mock us for believing in Jesus.
That ark without a rudder became the salvation of Noah’s family. To call it a ship is not entirely accurate, because it had no rudder and no oars. From another perspective, it was not Noah controlling the vessel, but the vessel carrying Noah. This vessel became the refuge of Noah’s family.
Understand the benefits brought by baptism.
It is very clear that in the apostle Peter’s mind, this ark is a type of Christ. Peter says that the flood represents judgment, and all humanity ought to perish under the judgment of the flood. Yet the Lord Jesus is like the ark in the flood, so that those who trust in Him receive life in Him. The resurrection of Christ shows that the Lord Jesus has already borne judgment for His people, and now through baptism, we enter into Christ’s death, and at the same time, we enter into the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
The sin of sinners must be dealt with. How is it dealt with? It is by trusting in Christ, transferring one’s sins onto Him. Then, from Christ’s hands, we receive all His righteousness. This is the meaning of baptism.
In the Lord Jesus Christ, we are delivered from God’s wrath, we are reconciled to God, we have been redeemed by Christ, and we belong to His name. However, this grace is obtained because the Lord Jesus Christ Himself was willing to submit to the will of the Father and made a final and decisive sacrifice for our sins, bearing the punishment of sin for us. Originally, it was we who should have died, but the Lord Jesus died in our place.
Those who trust in Christ, when they receive baptism, signify that in Christ we have already died once, and now, in Christ, we have come to life. Baptism tells us that in Christ our sins have been forgiven, sin can no longer be our master, we have been born again by the Holy Spirit, and in Christ we have received the status of sons.
This incomparably precious status means that we will be the heirs of the new heavens and the new earth, and we will possess eternal life. At the same time, because this eternal life was obtained by the Lord Jesus through His own death, we ought to give thanks to God.
Through the death and resurrection of Christ, believers, in the Lord, by faith, receive the hope of eternal life. Moreover, through baptism, we are joined to Noah’s family—that is, the visible church on earth.
Clearly understand the responsibility that believers ought to carry out.
How then should a person who has been saved live? In the New Chinese Version, verse 21 is translated in this way: “This water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” This word order more closely reflects the original text.
From this we can see that a saved person must make a vow to God to keep a good conscience. That is to say, a saved person cannot and should not continue indulging in sin and enjoying the pleasures of sin.
The foundation of our life is believing in the redemption accomplished for us by the Lord Jesus; the rule of our life is a holy life centered on the Ten Commandments; and the method of our life is the diligent use of the means of grace. When our life is ordered according to these three, our spiritual life can continually grow.
Why does Peter emphasize in verse 22 that Jesus is reigning? Because for a person who seeks to obey God’s law, if he is not certain that Christ is reigning, how terrifying that would be! Therefore, Peter comforts these baptized believers, exhorting them to diligently obey the law without fear, because we must recognize that Jesus Christ is already reigning and has authority over all things.
There is nothing outside of God’s sovereign control. In the Lord, there is peace. Even when what we encounter seems very bad, we still firmly believe that God is reigning in it. Especially in times of persecution, when we believe that the Lord reigns, our hearts will have even greater peace.
We must vow to God to keep a pure conscience. The obtaining of this conscience is first through the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ; only the blood of Jesus can grant us true peace of conscience. At the same time, this pure conscience also depends on believers striving with all their might to live a holy life, that is, striving to obey God’s law. A life of sin will not bring true peace to our conscience.
Conclusion: We must understand the meaning of baptism and strive with all our strength to live a holy life.
Questions: 1. What does the significance of Noah’s flood mean for us?
2. Through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, what have we received?
3. What two aspects are contained in the meaning of baptism?
4. How can we be strengthened through the baptism of others?
**I. Understanding the Judgment That Sinners Face** "Being created" means you naturally enter into a covenant of works. When you keep a pet, that pet comes under the constraints of the household. A puppy must sleep in its dog bed; a cat must use the litter box. Likewise, we were created and there... Read more
**I. Understanding the Judgment That Sinners Face**
"Being created" means you naturally enter into a covenant of works. When you keep a pet, that pet comes under the constraints of the household. A puppy must sleep in its dog bed; a cat must use the litter box. Likewise, we were created and thereby entered into God's covenant of works — to sin against God is to face judgment. From the perspective of judgment, there is no difference between us and them; we all face the wrath of God. Yet we must not despair — there is a story of salvation to tell. If you do not feel the weight of this judgment, then the salvation wrought by Jesus will seem equally unimportant.
The Apostle Peter cited the flood of Noah to explain the meaning of baptism. Peter directs our gaze to the era of Noah's flood, when people likewise went their own ways. That was an age filled with evil, and we find ourselves living in a generation that is utterly without faith. Some might say, "It doesn't seem like there's adultery and robbery everywhere today." Yet the people of that age no longer believed they had a Creator. And God will ultimately intervene — for God is the Lord of the world and will not allow the wicked to destroy what belongs to Him. Every bird, every insect, every living creature that had the breath of life was wiped out. Sinners cannot escape this judgment. That judgment was epic in scale, covering the entire earth — and the final great judgment to come is beyond anything we can imagine.
In that judgment, it did not matter whether you were refined, educated, or accomplished — there were no exceptions, no coincidences, no survivors. We tend to think that some people hold greater power and might fare differently, but Scripture reveals no such distinction. When the floodwaters came, some clung to the side of the ark. Noah and his family could hear the wailing outside — perhaps a king cried out, "Noah, I am your king! Save me!" Yet only eight people survived that judgment. This world has all manner of awards — the Oscars, titles of every kind — that make a person seem especially valuable, as though such glory could make us an exception in that final judgment. But the standard is not set by man; it is set by God. When Wang Xing and I moved, we sorted through a great many awards and packed them into a handsome box. At the time, I was a little reluctant to throw them away. I told myself, "Keep them as a memento" — but within us there is a vain sin: the desire to retain our accolades in order to secure for ourselves a greater glory.
**II. Understanding the Salvation That Noah Received**
How was Noah saved? He was saved through a ship. God instructed him on how to build it. Was this great vessel necessary? From the perspective of that time, it seemed completely unnecessary. We can imagine that Noah poured his entire fortune into building it, and yet at the time it appeared to serve no purpose. The ship had no oars and no rudder — God simply told him to build it, and he built it. Church life demands a cost: you must give your time, your energy, you must swap out the apps on your phone — just as Noah paid a price. Take a look at which app you spend the most time on. When you are baptized, your time, your energy, and your phone are no longer entirely your own. Why do we come to the church to be baptized? Because judgment is coming, and we think about how to escape it. Only by taking refuge in the ark do we have hope.
Not only was Noah's family saved — the livestock and animals were saved along with them. That great ship had remarkable capacity. But the people of the world saw no need for it. They felt the sun was warm, life was pleasant, and there would be no judgment. Yet when judgment comes, everyone will have regrets. We have entered a church that looks to the world like a needless thing. A colleague once invited me to play ball and, finding that I always had church commitments, began to call me "useless."
Only in the church is Christ proclaimed.
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**III. Understanding the Benefits That Baptism Brings**
In Genesis, God gave humanity one hundred and twenty years, and in the end gave seven days' warning. Others had seven days to repent, yet they may well have still been outside the ark, mocking Noah. Those scholars and prominent figures simply did not believe God's word. Noah's family endured humiliation. We may not face such obvious ridicule, but we must also be alert to the world's indifference toward the gospel. People may not object to you attending church, yet they remain in the same camp as those who perished — moving in the opposite direction from us. That ark without a rudder was their salvation; the ship became Noah's refuge. In Peter's eyes, the ark and Jesus Christ are one and the same. The Lord Jesus has already borne the judgment on behalf of His people. The water of baptism carries the same meaning as the floodwaters — it signifies that you are entering into that coming judgment. Others perished, yet you have received the redemption of Jesus. Baptism represents being cleansed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. We receive the righteousness of Jesus and are reconciled to God in Him. Jesus bore our punishment. And so when baptism is administered in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Jesus has taken upon Himself every curse that was yours, and you receive salvation and life. We have already died once in Jesus Christ and have been raised to life again. Sin can no longer be our master, but the status of sonship has been given to us. Noah's children became a new people of God; they became the new masters of that world. This means we have become heirs of the new heaven and the new earth, possessing eternal life — all of this purchased by the Lord Jesus through His death. When God brought the ark to rest, it came to rest firmly and securely. In the same way, we have been drawn into grace, and so we give thanks.
At yesterday's fellowship gathering, what were you truly enjoying — the fellowship and communion with your brothers and sisters, or merely the pleasant spring breeze? How do we regard the church that was purchased through the death of Jesus? It is only through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that one can be gathered into the church. It is through faith that we receive the hope of eternal life, and through baptism that we join the family of the church. In our church, baptism and membership are one and the same thing. Through baptism we commit ourselves to the church, and through the same means of grace we receive the message of the gospel.
**IV. Understanding the Responsibilities That Believers Are to Fulfill**
Baptism cleanses us entirely of our defilement. So what is the person who has been raised through the resurrection of Jesus Christ to do? He is to maintain a pure conscience. Such a person ought not to indulge in the pleasures of sin. What is the purpose of your life — pursuing the world's titles and accolades, or picking up your phone after work? Will short videos and online shopping comfort you? Though the Ten Commandments form the foundation of how we live, how do we actually come to feel the beauty of a holy life? We may strive to keep the law, yet find ourselves unable to perceive where its beauty lies. We cannot even picture what that holiness looks like. The answer is this: make diligent use of the means of grace. Read Scripture, pray, and devote yourself to spiritual disciplines. Meditate on the terror of judgment. Read your daily devotion and write a response every day. Without the means of grace, it is impossible for us to understand God's message, and we will never develop any sense of that holiness. Therefore, make diligent use of the means of grace.
The premise of life is judgment, but Jesus has accomplished redemption. How then do we live — what is the rule? According to the Ten Commandments. And how do we truly enter into and enjoy holiness? By diligently using the means of grace.
We keep the law, and at the same time Jesus reigns. Nothing stands outside of or above His authority. You may feel: *If I make this choice, if I truly submit to the church, I will lose so much — and I cannot afford to lose these things right now!* But Jesus Christ reigns, and it is in Jesus Christ alone that true peace is found. Let us press on, through the means of grace, to allow the redemption of Jesus and the holy life to work well within us — that our lives may bring glory to God.
Jesus is the ark that can carry us through the flood of life's troubles and grant us victory because He has overcome. He will not only carry us through the flood of life's troubles but He will also carry us through the flood of judgement of God's wrath coming upon the ungodly and sinners in the last... Read more
Jesus is the ark that can carry us through the flood of life's troubles and grant us victory because He has overcome. He will not only carry us through the flood of life's troubles but He will also carry us through the flood of judgement of God's wrath coming upon the ungodly and sinners in the last day safely. It is only in Jesus that we are save and secure. We have the assurance of peace with God in Christ Jesus.
Baptism indicate that our old self is put to death with Christ, and in rising from the water, we rise into the new life in Christ Jesus so we became a new creation 2nd Cor. 5:17. So as a new creation, we must have our mind renewed daily by the world of God. Because a new creation required a new mind, not the corrupted, evil and wicked heart/mind we used to have Gen. 6:5.
To live by the word of God, we must find time to study and keep it in our heart by meditating on it day and night Joshua 1:8. It must be our life-long pursuit. May the Lord help us, amen.
非常好！
Based on the sermon, here is how the significance of baptism answers the question about living responsibly, purely, and in holiness before God: 1. Death to the Old Life of Autonomy and Sin: The sermon emphasizes that sinners bear a "covenant of works" and judgment. Baptism signifies that you hav... Read more
Based on the sermon, here is how the significance of baptism answers the question about living responsibly, purely, and in holiness before God:
1. Death to the Old Life of Autonomy and Sin: The sermon emphasizes that sinners bear a "covenant of works" and judgment. Baptism signifies that you have died *with Christ* to that old life. Walking in holiness means you no longer live for the satisfaction of fleshly desires or moral autonomy (self-rule), because you acknowledge that you have already borne judgment in Christ. Practically, this means intentionally turning away from the "unbelief" and violence of Noah's generation.
2. A Vow to God for a Good Conscience (1 Peter 3:21): As the sermon highlights, baptism is not merely ceremonial washing ("removal of dirt from the body"), but "the pledge of a good conscience toward God." Living responsibly means consciously making and keeping this vow. A pure conscience is obtained first by Christ's blood, but it is *maintained* by striving to obey God's law. Therefore, you cannot continue indulging in sin while claiming baptism's benefits; you must actively avoid anything that defiles your conscience.
3. Entering the "Ark" of Christ and the Visible Church: Just as Noah entered a specific, God-commanded vessel (the ark), baptism joins you to Christ and His visible church. Holy living is not isolated; it is life within this community. The ark had no rudder or oars, symbolizing that salvation is not controlled by human effort but by God's sovereign carrying. Your responsibility is to remain *in* the vessel—trusting Christ's work, not your own steering, and participating in the means of grace within the church.
4. Living Under Christ's Reigning Authority: The sermon concludes that because Jesus is reigning (v. 22), believers can obey God's law without fear. Holiness is not legalistic anxiety but confident obedience, knowing that nothing is outside God's control. Even in persecution or suffering, peace comes from trusting that the Lord reigns. Thus, walking in holiness is an act of trust in the victorious, reigning King, not a panicked attempt to earn salvation.
5. Gratitude and New Identity: Baptism gives you the status of a son, an heir of the new heavens and new earth. This precious status produces thankfulness (because Christ died in your place) and a desire to live in a manner consistent with your new identity. Holiness flows from gratitude, not mere duty.
In summary, baptism tells us to live responsibly by keeping our vow of a good conscience, staying in the ark (Christ and His church), obeying God's law with confidence in Christ's reign, and rejecting the autonomous, self-indulgent spirit of the present age.
非常好！
Based on the sermon, here is how the significance of baptism answers the question about living responsibly, purely, and in holiness before God: 1. Death to the Old Life of Autonomy and Sin: The sermon emphasizes that sinners bear a "covenant of works" and judgment. Baptism signifies that you hav... Read more
Based on the sermon, here is how the significance of baptism answers the question about living responsibly, purely, and in holiness before God:
1. Death to the Old Life of Autonomy and Sin: The sermon emphasizes that sinners bear a "covenant of works" and judgment. Baptism signifies that you have died *with Christ* to that old life. Walking in holiness means you no longer live for the satisfaction of fleshly desires or moral autonomy (self-rule), because you acknowledge that you have already borne judgment in Christ. Practically, this means intentionally turning away from the "unbelief" and violence of Noah's generation.
2. A Vow to God for a Good Conscience (1 Peter 3:21): As the sermon highlights, baptism is not merely ceremonial washing ("removal of dirt from the body"), but "the pledge of a good conscience toward God." Living responsibly means consciously making and keeping this vow. A pure conscience is obtained first by Christ's blood, but it is *maintained* by striving to obey God's law. Therefore, you cannot continue indulging in sin while claiming baptism's benefits; you must actively avoid anything that defiles your conscience.
3. Entering the "Ark" of Christ and the Visible Church: Just as Noah entered a specific, God-commanded vessel (the ark), baptism joins you to Christ and His visible church. Holy living is not isolated; it is life within this community. The ark had no rudder or oars, symbolizing that salvation is not controlled by human effort but by God's sovereign carrying. Your responsibility is to remain *in* the vessel—trusting Christ's work, not your own steering, and participating in the means of grace within the church.
4. Living Under Christ's Reigning Authority: The sermon concludes that because Jesus is reigning (v. 22), believers can obey God's law without fear. Holiness is not legalistic anxiety but confident obedience, knowing that nothing is outside God's control. Even in persecution or suffering, peace comes from trusting that the Lord reigns. Thus, walking in holiness is an act of trust in the victorious, reigning King, not a panicked attempt to earn salvation.
5. Gratitude and New Identity: Baptism gives you the status of a son, an heir of the new heavens and new earth. This precious status produces thankfulness (because Christ died in your place) and a desire to live in a manner consistent with your new identity. Holiness flows from gratitude, not mere duty.
In summary, baptism tells us to live responsibly by keeping our vow of a good conscience, staying in the ark (Christ and His church), obeying God's law with confidence in Christ's reign, and rejecting the autonomous, self-indulgent spirit of the present age.