1 Peter 3:18-22 – The Gospel
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.”
Now in between verses 18 and 21 is some inside information that Peter learned from Jesus after the resurrection. I am sure there were lots of questions from the disciples (as there still are today) for Jesus about where He was for those three days and what He was doing. We get a glimpse here. (CR Jude 6)
But never lose the big picture of this section. This is eyewitness testimony of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. And Peter is stressing the why of this, “Christ suffered once for sins the righteous for the unrighteous that he might bring us to God…”
The sacrifice which Christ made on the cross for our sins is the most important event in history. By faith in this Savior and his sacrificial death for us we can have everlasting life. This is how Peter and all the disciples were saved. By believing that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, and that His perfect life lived in front of them and then sacrificed for them paid the price for their sin. The Father’s wrath was poured out on Jesus so that it would not be poured out on us. There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Rom. 8:1)
By faith we put our trust in Jesus. Have you?
Prayer: Father I ask that You draw whoever reads this to Yourself and help them put their trust in You. Give them the peace that passes understanding and the joy of their salvation knowing they are secure in you. Amen