1. In our text Peter makes it clear that he is speaking figuratively.

2. In Heb. 11:7 Paul in no way suggests that what he is saying is figurative.

1. Our text makes it clear that the flood could not come until the ark was ready. 1 Peter 3:20 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.

2. Just as God's longsuffering and grace prevented him from bringing the flood until the ark which Noah was preparing to the saving of his house was finished, the same longsuffering of God will prevent the day of the Lord coming until all of his elect are saved. 2 Peter 3:3-9 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

3. May I repeat again, had salvation literally been by water, the ark would not have been needed.

1. The words that are translated figure in the New Testament have the idea of an image or imprint.

2. Paul tells us that Adam was a figure of Christ of Christ. Romans 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. We will come back to this in our next point.

3. The earthly tabernacle and temple were a figures of the true tabernacle which God pitched, the Lord Jesus Christ. Hebrews 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.

1. All those who literally got into the water drowned.

2. Those who never got wet were saved.

1. The children of Israel were literally saved by the blood of the Passover lamb.

2. Figuratively they were saved when their deliverance was manifested by their baptism unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

1. Surely no one would try to be saved by trusting Adam; he is only the figure of him that was to come.

2. Salvation is literally in Christ who is called the second Adam.

3. Adam was a figure of Christ in that he was a representative man—he stood for a people.

4. Adam was a figure of Christ in that what he did his people did.

5. One may as well trust Adam instead of Christ for salvation as to trust water for salvation.

1. If you want to trust the figures for you salvation then trust in the tabernacle that Moses built or the temple that Solomon built.

2. If you want to trust the one who truly and literally saves, look beyond the figure to the true tabernacle. Hebrews 8:1-2 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

1. These sacrifices and gifts were only figures pointing to Christ and could never make those offering them perfect as pertaining to their consciences.

2. These figures stood only in meats and drinks and different washings and carnal ordinances.

3. But Christ, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle—himself—and by a better sacrifice—his own precious blood—has obtained eternal redemption for those who trust the literal Saviour and not the figure of baptism.

4. If you are trusting baptism for you salvation, you would probably also have trusted the blood of a bull or a goat to save you.

5. Look beyond the figure to him to whom the figure points—Jesus Christ, the lamb of God who has obtained eternal redemption by his precious blood offered on the altar of his own person and sprinkled on himself who is our blessed and only seat of propitiation, our mercy seat.

1. We were all conceived in a sinful state and nature. Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

2. We walked naturally according to the course of this world and were by nature the children of wrath. Ephesians 2:1-3 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

3. We were born of the flesh and it is so decidedly filthy that there is no good in it. John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Romans 7:8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

4. The result of this depravity is seen in the fact that we were hateful and hating one another and had to be washed with the washing of regeneration. Titus 3:3-5 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

5. The notion that mere waters of baptism could put away the filth of the flesh is as far-fetched as believing that an Israelite could be saved by the blood of a goat.

1. It is by his stripes that we are healed.

2. It is by his broken body and shed blood that we have eternal life. John 6:54-564 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

3. Our salvation is in the Christ of the gospel. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

4. It is the gospel that is the power of God unto salvation. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

5. Because it is only a figure, and not the literal salvation of the sinner, Paul could say without regret that he was glad that he did not baptize many of the Corinthian congregation. 1 Corinthians 1:14-16 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

6. It was a different matter when it came to their literal salvation. 1 Corinthians 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

7. Because it was only a figure Paul could say that he was not sent to baptize. 1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

8. Men who make baptism effectual in the literal salvation of the sinner, in effect, make the cross of none effect.

1. If baptism, as our text declares, is the answer of a good conscience toward God, one must have a good conscience before answering in baptism.

2. If one has a good conscience before answering in baptism, we must either deny the depravity of man or believe one must be saved before baptism.

3. Those who hold to the doctrine of total hereditary depravity believe that the mind and conscience of men are defiled and not good. Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

1. We must join with Peter in declaring that their salvation by baptism is just as much a figure as was the salvation of Noah's family in the waters of the flood.

2. We must join with Peter in proclaiming we are literally saved in the blood of Christ. I Peter 1:18-20 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.