Christ’S Triumph
CHRIST’S TRIUMPH
1 PETER 3:13-22
Whatever we are going through, what is our security to be in? How true is this of your life today?
It might be argued that self-assertion is necessary in this evil world. “God cares for those who care for themselves” is a frequently heard saying. Peter makes no secret of the probability that they will have to suffer for righteousness’ sake. Apparent defeat will be merely the way to victory. It should be noted, however, that we are far more likely to suffer, if we are zealous for other people to do right, than if the zeal is applied to our own lives (3:13).
Christ’s death combined with his resurrection represents God’s greatest triumph (3:18). In the natural realm (“in the flesh”) he was put to death; in the spiritual realm he was made alive: his bodily resurrection is the consequence of this; see Acts 2:24, in the course of which (“in which”) he made proclamation of his triumph (“preached”) to the angels (“spirits”; the word is not used of the dead) imprisoned in the days of Noah; see also Jude 6. They had done their best to destroy the world (Genesis 6:1-8), and had apparently succeeded, for all except eight people were overwhelmed by the flood. To them, and presumably to any other fallen angels awaiting their final judgment, came the knowledge that their utmost efforts had been defeated. The idea that Christ was proclaiming his salvation to those overwhelmed by the flood does not seem to play any part here, all the more so as they were simply a special case of a common problem.
The transference of thought to Christian baptism (3:21) is an easy one, but there is much to be said for the theory that this letter represents an expansion of a baptismal sermon. Baptism results from Christ’s triumph: see Romans 6:3f. The ark was the symbol of God’s triumph and saving power in the midst of corruption, and so is baptism. “Not as a removal of dirt from the body” (3:21); baptism cleanses the inner being, or represents a person’s cleansing, that “with a good conscience we can appeal to God” or “make a pledge to him for a new life.”
Note in the midst of this the constant outward-looking readiness to respond to everyone who asks us about our hope (3:15-16).
Thought The eye of faith sees the ark, not the floodwaters.