The “Water” in Noah’s Story

[LightBearer316]

1 Peter 3:20 (KJV)
20 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.

The same water that destroyed the wicked also lifted up the ark that Noah’s family was in.
So the water was the instrument of separation — it marked the difference between those who perished and those who were preserved.
Noah’s family was not saved by the water’s power, but through the water’s event — because they were in the ark.

That’s why Peter says baptism “now saves us” — not because the water itself saves, but because baptism unites us (by faith) to Christ, the true Ark.
So it’s not a contradiction; it’s a picture of salvation.

Grace and Peace

 

[Blain]

1 Peter 3:20 (KJV)
20 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.

The same water that destroyed the wicked also lifted up the ark that Noah’s family was in.
So the water was the instrument of separation — it marked the difference between those who perished and those who were preserved.
Noah’s family was not saved by the water’s power, but through the water’s event — because they were in the ark.

That’s why Peter says baptism “now saves us” — not because the water itself saves, but because baptism unites us (by faith) to Christ, the true Ark.
So it’s not a contradiction; it’s a picture of salvation.

Grace and Peace

That is interesting I never considered this but it makes sense when you think about it

 

[LightBearer316]

That is interesting I never considered this but it makes sense when you think about it

What Peter Actually Says

“Wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure (antitypon) 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.”
— 1 Peter 3:20–21​

Peter calls baptism a “figure” (Greek: antitypon) — meaning a corresponding type or symbolic parallel.
He is comparing Noah’s salvation through the floodwaters (which lifted the ark above judgment) to how believers are saved through Christ’s death and resurrection, which baptism outwardly represents.

The “Water” in Noah’s Story

The same water that destroyed the wicked also lifted up the ark that Noah’s family was in.
So the water was the instrument of separation — it marked the difference between those who perished and those who were preserved.
Noah’s family was not saved by the water’s power, but through the water’s event — because they were in the ark.

That’s why Peter says baptism “now saves us” — not because the water itself saves, but because baptism unites us (by faith) to Christ, the true Ark.
So it’s not a contradiction; it’s a picture of salvation.

The True Saving Agent

Notice Peter’s careful clarification:

“Not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God.”​

He explicitly denies that the physical water (washing dirt) saves.
What does save is what baptism represents: faith in the crucified and risen Christ — “by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

So, “something happens” not in the water itself, but in what the water signifies — union with Christ in His death and resurrection (Romans 6:3–5).

The Connection to Acts 2:41

When the three thousand were baptized, it wasn’t the water that changed them; it was that they “gladly received his word.”
Their faith in Christ’s message brought salvation, and baptism was the God-ordained expression of that faith — their public identification with the crucified and risen Lord.

That’s why Peter calls baptism the “answer of a good conscience toward God” — it’s faith responding to grace.



No contradiction at all —
the same phrase “saved by water” means saved through the water’s ordeal because they were in the ark;
and baptism “now saves” us because we are in Christ, the true Ark, through faith.

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” — Colossians 3:3​

Grace and Peace

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

Water baptism signifies being buried in the waters of death and then being raised out of death into life. Figures of this were Israel being baptized unto Moses in the Red Sea and baptized unto Joshua in the Jordan. In both cases Israel passed unharmed through the parted waters of death and emerged into a new life.

Noah likewise was immersed in torrential rains of water that symbolize a symbolic death, and then was raised above the waters of death into a new life.

All of these typify water baptism in which we are immersed into water signifying the death of our old man through Christ's death and then raised out of the water signifying our new life through Christ's resurrection

So the water in Noah's day symbolizes the waters of death into which mankind was immersed with only 8 souls being raised above the flood waters into new life.

 

[Blain]

What Peter Actually Says

“Wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure (antitypon) 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.”​

— 1 Peter 3:20–21​

Peter calls baptism a “figure” (Greek: antitypon) — meaning a corresponding type or symbolic parallel.
He is comparing Noah’s salvation through the floodwaters (which lifted the ark above judgment) to how believers are saved through Christ’s death and resurrection, which baptism outwardly represents.

The “Water” in Noah’s Story

The same water that destroyed the wicked also lifted up the ark that Noah’s family was in.
So the water was the instrument of separation — it marked the difference between those who perished and those who were preserved.
Noah’s family was not saved by the water’s power, but through the water’s event — because they were in the ark.

That’s why Peter says baptism “now saves us” — not because the water itself saves, but because baptism unites us (by faith) to Christ, the true Ark.
So it’s not a contradiction; it’s a picture of salvation.

The True Saving Agent

Notice Peter’s careful clarification:

“Not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God.”​

He explicitly denies that the physical water (washing dirt) saves.
What does save is what baptism represents: faith in the crucified and risen Christ — “by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

So, “something happens” not in the water itself, but in what the water signifies — union with Christ in His death and resurrection (Romans 6:3–5).

The Connection to Acts 2:41

When the three thousand were baptized, it wasn’t the water that changed them; it was that they “gladly received his word.”
Their faith in Christ’s message brought salvation, and baptism was the God-ordained expression of that faith — their public identification with the crucified and risen Lord.

That’s why Peter calls baptism the “answer of a good conscience toward God” — it’s faith responding to grace.


View attachment 280995
No contradiction at all —
the same phrase “saved by water” means saved through the water’s ordeal because they were in the ark;
and baptism “now saves” us because we are in Christ, the true Ark, through faith.

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” — Colossians 3:3​

Grace and Peace

Wow this was astounding your understanding is amazing on this matter I would hate to get into a debate with the likes of you lol

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

Noah was immersed in the flood waters. @LightBearer316 will probably nitpick and say no he wasn't because he was in the ark and the water didn't touch him. However, neither did the water of the Red Sea touch Israel as it passed through, but Paul says they baptized unto Moses in the Red Sea

And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 1 Corinthians 10:2​

​

 

[LightBearer316]

Wow this was astounding your understanding is amazing on this matter I would hate to get into a debate with the likes of you lol

I really appreciate that! It’s nothing of my own wisdom — just the strength of God working through me. He opens our understanding by His Spirit and His Word. All glory to Him.
Grace and Peace

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

the same phrase “saved by water” means saved through the water’s ordeal because they were in the ark;
and baptism “now saves” us because we are in Christ, the true Ark, through faith.

But they didn't receive the new life until they came out of the waters of death.

 

[Blain]

I really appreciate that! It’s nothing of my own wisdom — just the strength of God working through me. He opens our understanding by His Spirit and His Word. All glory to Him.
Grace and Peace

I think you are right but also underselling yourself your willingness to listen to his voice is what gave you this understanding you would be surprised how rare it is to see someone speak with such insight I am not easily impressed

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

Another type of water baptism is Jonah who was thrown into the waters of death. Then he was in the belly of the fish for 3 days like Christ was in the belly of the earth for 3 days. While Jonah was in the fish he experienced a kind of death ordeal and didn't emerge into his new life until he was spit out of the water onto land. So again, new life doesn't happen until after emerging from baptism

 

[Blain]

Another type of water baptism is Jonah who was thrown into the waters of death. Then he was in the belly of the fish for 3 days like Christ was in the belly of the earth for 3 days. While Jonah was in the fish he experienced a kind of death ordeal and didn't emerge into his new life until he was spit out of the water onto land. So again, new life doesn't happen until after emerging from baptism

Yes this is true in fact if I recall correctly Jesus himself referenced this

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

In all cases of baptism in scripture (at least the ones I've mentioned) new life was always received after emerging from the waters of death. That is consistent with Peter telling Israel on Pentecost to be baptized into forgiveness of sins (death) so that they could receive the promised holy spirit (new life). He didn't tell them to receive the spirit and then be baptized, but to put the old man to death in baptism and then rise up out of the water into new life through the resurrection of Christ.

And Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized each of you in the name of Jesus Christ into removal of sins and you shall receive the gift of the holy spirit. Acts 2:38​

​

The type foreshadowed in Noah's baptism in the waters of the flood that saved him (humanity actually) is realized in the antitype of water baptisn that now saves us

Which antitype, water baptism, also now saves us, not laying aside filth of flesh, but the petition of a good conscience towards God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 3:21​

 

[Blain]

In all cases of baptism in scripture (at least the ones I've mentioned) new life was always received after emerging from the waters of death. That is consistent with Peter telling Israel on Pentecost to be baptized into forgiveness of sins (death) so that they could receive the promised holy spirit (new life). He didn't tell them to receive the spirit and then be baptized, but to put the old man to death in baptism and then rise up out of the water into new life through the resurrection of Christ.

And Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized each of you in the name of Jesus Christ into removal of sins and you shall receive the gift of the holy spirit. Acts 2:38​

​

The type foreshadowed in Noah's baptism in the waters of the flood that saved him (humanity actually) is realized in the antitype of water baptisn that now saves us

Which antitype, water baptism, also now saves us, not laying aside filth of flesh, but the petition of a good conscience towards God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 3:21​

Then of course there is also the baptism of the holy spirit which is seperate from baptism of water but even so death itself could be seen as baptism for the believer in Christ dying to your old self and coming alive anew in his heavenly kingdom

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

Then of course there is also the baptism of the holy spirit which is seperate from baptism of water but even so death itself could be seen as baptism for the believer in Christ dying to your old self and coming alive anew in his heavenly kingdom

I guess the way to look at those 2 baptisms is one is in water and the other is in spirit. Baptisms in water all signify moving from death into life, whereas baptism in spirit moves one from inability into ability, ie, from feableness into power.

For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. Acts 1:5​

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8​

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

Then of course there is also the baptism of the holy spirit which is seperate from baptism of water but even so death itself could be seen as baptism for the believer in Christ dying to your old self and coming alive anew in his heavenly kingdom

Both baptisms are actually foreshadowed in a previous verse I mentioned. Israel was baptized in water and the cloud. The cloud pillar symbolizes baptism of the spirit. In the first case, water baptism saved them from bondage of slavery into a new life; and in the second case, spiritual baptism showed them the way, provided light to see and protected them from harm

And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 1 Corinthians 10:2​

 

[LightBearer316]

@ChristRoseFromTheDead
Beautiful insights, brother — I really appreciate how you’re tracing the pattern of death and new life through Scripture.
You’re absolutely right that each of those events — the flood, the Red Sea, the Jordan, and even Jonah — foreshadows a passage from death to life. Those types all point us to the greater reality fulfilled in Christ.

Where I’d humbly add a distinction is in where the saving power actually lies. The pattern is real, but the power is found in Christ’s death and resurrection, not in the element of water itself. That’s why Peter immediately adds that baptism saves 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” (1 Peter 3:21).

So yes — every type (Noah, the Red Sea, Jonah) involves “passing through death” and “emerging into new life.”
But what those figures signify is what Romans 6:3-5 describes — our union with Christ by faith. The moment we believe, we are spiritually baptized into His death and raised with Him (Col 2:12; Gal 3:27). The water baptism that follows is our outward testimony of that inward reality — faith responding to grace.

In short:

• The figure = the water crossings (Noah, Red Sea, etc.)
• The reality = being “in Christ,” the true Ark, by faith
• The life = His resurrection power working in us by the Spirit (Rom 8:11)

Amen for how beautifully Scripture weaves all of that together — one story of grace from Genesis to Revelation.

Grace and Peace

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

Peter calls baptism a “figure” (Greek: antitypon) — meaning a corresponding type or symbolic parallel.

Antitype means the reality that a type foreshadows or points to.

 

[LightBearer316]

Antitype means the reality that a type foreshadows or points to.

We are both correct in part, but I'm using “antitype” in different senses of the same relationship.
Good point — and you’re right that “antitype” refers to the reality prefigured by the type.
In Greek (antitypon), it literally means “corresponding counterpart.” The “type” is the foreshadow; the “antitype” is the fulfillment or matching reality.

So when Peter says baptism is the “antitype” (1 Peter 3:21), he means:

• The type = Noah’s salvation through the floodwaters.
• The antitype = the reality that event pointed to — salvation through Christ, pictured in baptism.

In other words, baptism is the symbolic correspondence to the flood, but the saving reality it points to is our union with Christ in His death and resurrection — “by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

So we are both right: “antitype” does mean the reality that the type foreshadows — but Peter’s specific usage makes baptism itself the visible correspondence to Noah’s flood, while Christ’s saving work is the ultimate reality behind it.

Grace and peace
2 Corinthians 10:5

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

Where I’d humbly add a distinction is in where the saving power actually lies. The pattern is real, but the power is found in Christ’s death and resurrection, not in the element of water itself. That’s why Peter immediately adds that baptism saves 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” (1 Peter 3:21).

No one is saying that water has any power to save. The power to save is through obedience to the ceremony God established through which he saves.

I'm beginning to wonder if when Peter said laying aside the filth of flesh doesn't save us, he wasn't referring to cleansing of dirt, but to the laying aside of the old man, ie, filthy flesh, which of itself doesn't save us.

Which antitype, water baptism, also now saves us, not laying aside filth of flesh, but the petition of a good conscience towards God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 3:21​

Buried in the water of death reconciles us to God, but it doesn't save us. What saves us is Christ's resurrected life, which we receive when we come out of the water.

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved in his life. Romans 5:10​

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[Blain]

I am seeing a lot of spiritual insight from you two it is such a blessing to see