20 who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water. 21 There is also an antitype which now saves us -- baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the pledge/answer of a good conscience toward God), dia/based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him

I. Baptism is NOT about: getting wet, mystic ritual, forgiveness of sin,  regeneration

kinds: Jewish, John, Jesus, trial, HS
Nicander, 200 B.C. Greek poet and physician, says that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should first be ‘dipped’ (bapto 911) into boiling water and then ‘baptised’ (baptizo 907) in the vinegar solution. Both verbs concern the immersing of vegetables in a solution. But the first is temporary. The second, the act of baptising the vegetable, produces a permanent change.  (Online Bible)

Acts 19:4 John baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying  they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus
Mk 1 4 John came baptizing...and preaching a baptism of repentance for (eis Mt 3:11) the remission of sins.  16:15 Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned 

Acts 18:25 Apollos had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John 10:47...should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?

II. Salvation is NOT just about getting one's sins forgiven

by faith in Christ's substitutionary atonement
Ps 18:3 I will call upon the LORD...So shall I be saved from my enemies.  Ps 44:7 You have saved us from our enemies,
Acts 2:40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation."
1Tim 416 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you

III. Salvation is about Reversing the Effects of Fall [lost: live forever, rlshp w/God, glory; get: forgiveness, holiness, glory]

A. Justification-past forgiveness  Rm 3:23 all sinned 24 justified freely by His grace thru the redemption that is in Jesus, 25  God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, thru faith...26 that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Titus 3:5

B. Sanctification-present holiness Phil 2:12...as you have always obeyed, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Heb 6:9 2Cor 7:10  2Thess 2:13

C. Glorification-future reward Mt 24:16 Rm 5:9-10 8:24 13:11-14 nearer (Heb 1:14 2:3 5:9 2:10 9:28 Rev 12:10) 1Pt 1:4,5,9,10,13 inheritance and glory when Christ is revealed 4:18 righteous scarely saved Rm 5: 1 Cor 15:2 1Thess 5:8  2Tim 1:9 2:10 saved, may obtain, glory

IV. Baptism is about death to our life and Immersion into the life of Christ

1Cor 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body ..and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

A. First step of discipleship by believers   (cf Acts 8:38 Ethiopian eunuch)
Mt 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

B. Symbolizes death to our old self  and embracing of life united with Christ    
Lk 9:23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me

Rm 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  Gal 3:27 as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Col 2:12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him thru faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

C. Pledge of a good conscience toward God and man based upon expectation of future reward
1Pt 2:19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if...But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, ex Jesus

Acts 16: 15 I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. 16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

Luke 14:14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Why do you think there is controversy over the mode and meaning of baptsim? Is baptism a symbol?  If so, of what?
2. Why don't people see the different contexts of the usages of saved/salvation? Evangelistic sermons vs Exegetical Bible Study?
3. Can we think we're right when we're wrong? How does someone train their conscience to have God's value system?
4. Does one get a “bad” conscience by offending people with “bad” values and behavior? If we pleased them, would we offend God?
5. How are you “always striving to have a conscience without offense toward God and men”? Why should you?