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| Q: | 1 Peter 3:21 appears at first to be saying baptism saves, but it then goes on to say "(not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God)". Is not the putting away of the filth of the flesh the removal of sin from our heart? This scripture states baptism does not remove our sin but is an answer of a good conscience toward God, as circumcision was a sign/seal of righteousness (Romans 4:11). I read in a Christian doctrine book from high school that they left out the word "NOT" in this passage. That appears to be a big word to leave out as it changes the whole meaning of the passage. See "A Summary of Christian Doctrine", Koehler pg.. 208. Revelation 22:19 warns us of taking words away from the book. | ||||||
| A: | The text very clearly does say "baptism saves us." The words are simple and clear, and the Nestle text lists no variants or omissions from the text. There are also many other passages that say baptism gives us forgiveness of sins. The words "baptism is not a putting away of the filth of the flesh" tells us that it does not simply cleanse us from bodily pollution as the Old Testament washings did, but gives us forgiveness of sins without which we cannot have a clean conscience before God. "The pledge or the claim of a clean conscience" is more correct than "answer of a clean conscience" (see NIV). We can claim a clean conscience for no other reason than that God forgives sin. Koehler clearly and correctly says baptism washes away sin. This passage is one of the most important passages that teach the baptism is a means of grace through which we receive forgiveness of sin, life, and salvation. It is by no means the only one. There are many other questions about this topic which can be found in the archives by searching on the word "baptism. If you would like to read more about infant baptism or the work of the Holy Spirit, you can order the following from Northwestern Publishing House: "BAPTIZED INTO GOD'S FAMILY" by A. Andrew Das, "THE HOLY GHOST AND HIS WORK" by Siegbert Becker, and "HOLY SPIRIT: GIVER OF LIFE" by John F. Vogt. | ||||||
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