1 Peter 3:13-22

Order of Service

• Call to Worship — Psalm 66:1-4
• Prayer of Invocation
• Hymn — Great Is Thy Faithfulness (#32)
• Pastoral Prayer
• Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 3:13-22
• Sermon
• Benediction

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Sermon Title: Hidden in the Ark — Judgment, Salvation, and Baptism

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-22

I. A Good Conscience Before Accusers: Suffering and Defense (vv. 13–17)

A. Peter's repeated admonition: be zealous for good and honor everyone

1. Echoes 1 Peter 2:15 — doing good silences foolish people
2. The phrase "but even if you should suffer" implies suffering is not the norm for the Christian living quietly and peaceably

B. Christians are called to pursue peace in society

1. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 — pray for kings and those in authority, that we may lead peaceful and quiet lives
2. If suffering comes despite this pursuit, consider yourself blessed — do not stir up controversy or seek conflict

C. Two foundations of a good conscience in defense (v. 15–16)

1. Honoring the truth of Christ's work — the content of the gospel: sin, atonement, faith, eternal life, reconciliation with God
2. Honoring the truth of Christ's character — presenting the gospel with gentleness and respect (Matthew 11:29)
3. Both must be held together: right content without gentleness, or gentleness without sound doctrine, burdens the conscience
4. Paul before Festus is an example: honorable bearing combined with sound gospel proclamation

II. The Work of Christ as the Foundation for Holy Living (v. 18)

A. Peter grounds the call to do good in the pattern of Christ — as in 1 Peter 2:21, "to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you"

B. The doctrine of union with Christ is central

1. We are not merely to pursue the benefits of redemption (justification, adoption, sanctification, glorification) but to long for Christ himself, the Benefactor
2. Each doctrine of grace should cause the heart to burn for Christ

C. Substitutionary atonement stated plainly in v. 18

1. 2 Corinthians 5:21 — he who knew no sin became sin for us
2. Christ's passive obedience: his death washes away sin and makes us clean
3. Christ's active obedience: his righteous life is imputed to our account, giving us positive righteousness before God

D. "Put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit" refers to the resurrected state, not the intermediate state

1. 1 Corinthians 15:45-49 — the last Adam became a life-giving spirit through resurrection
2. "Spirit" indicates the realm of resurrection life, empowered by the Holy Spirit

III. Christ's Proclamation to the Spirits in Prison (vv. 19–20)

A. The phrase "in which" refers back to the spirit — Christ, in the resurrected realm of the spirit, is the subject

B. The NASB and KJV rendering "in which also" (Greek: kai) is preferred — it introduces a related but non-chronological point

1. Christ did not descend to preach to imprisoned spirits after his resurrection
2. Rather, Christ by the Spirit preached through Noah to the ungodly during the building of the ark
3. Those who disobeyed then are now in prison because of that former disobedience
4. God's patience was displayed during the construction of the ark, yet only eight were saved

IV. Baptism as Antitype of the Flood (vv. 20–22)

A. The Greek word antitupos (antitype) is key

1. The flood waters are the type; baptism is the antitype — the fulfillment and reality foreshadowed by the flood
2. Noah's family was saved through the waters, not from them — the same waters of judgment became waters of salvation

B. Baptism saves "not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience"

1. Peter is not pointing to the outward rite but to the inward, conscience-cleansing work of Christ's death and resurrection
2. Hebrews 9:8-14 — the blood of Christ purifies the conscience from dead works, unlike external washings under the old covenant

C. Christ is the Ark who absorbs the baptism of judgment

1. Luke 12:50 — "I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished"
2. Mark 10:38 — Jesus speaks of his coming baptism of judgment at the cross
3. United to Christ by faith, his baptism of judgment becomes our baptism of salvation
4. Outside of Christ, the baptismal waters remain a sign of judgment

D. Christ is now ascended and enthroned (v. 22)

1. All angels, authorities, and powers are subjected to him
2. The resurrection and ascension confirm his authority over all — the ultimate ground of the Christian's confidence in suffering