June 6
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ON SUFFERING AND BAPTISM
17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. 18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all time, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 19 in which He also went and made proclamation to the spirits in prison, 20 who once were disobedient when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. 21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.
– 1 Peter 3:17-22
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In this letter, Peter once again gives us good teaching regarding suffering and baptism. In verse 17, he almost sounds like it is a blessing when we suffer to do what is right. In verse 18, he gives us the reason why it is good to suffer for righteousness: because Christ himself suffered for our sins.
Peter explains the effect of that sacrifice of Jesus on the cross on verses 18-19. He says that Jesus died both for all so that those who are captives may also benefit from that sacrifice. They can now have the ability through believing in Jesus to put to death their sinful nature or their flesh and be alive in the Spirit. Peter reminds the people in the faith of God’s patience during the time of Noah, when all the sinners have disobeyed and abandoned God. God saved the family of Noah eight people in total, to start a new world. God’s mercy was manifested in giving mankind a chance at a new beginning through one righteous man, Noah. That’s how patient God is.
In verse 21, Peter reminds all believers of the baptism that saved us. A baptism that is an appeal for God for a good conscience through Christ’s resurrection. It is not just a physical cleansing of your sin, but making it possible for the believer to lead a righteous and holy life. Peter emphasizes the resurrection power in verse 21-22 and the sovereignty of Christ who is seated at the right hand of God the Father.
Peter is reminding all the believers to be able to reflect on the importance of what Christ’s suffering did for all those who believe in him. It sanctified their lives.
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REFLECTION
• Why should we never cringe or complain when we suffer for righteousness?