Baptism: A Supernatural Declaration of Faith and Purpose

The passage in 1 Peter 3 draws us into a worldview that is both ancient and deeply relevant for us today—a worldview that recognizes the reality of the supernatural, the cosmic battle between good and evil, and the profound significance of baptism. Modern society often tries to reduce spiritual realities to mere symbols or ceremonies, but the biblical perspective insists that there is far more happening than meets the eye. Baptism is not just a ritual or a public declaration; it is a supernatural celebration of Christ’s victory over sin, death, and the spiritual powers that once held us captive. It is a proclamation to all creation—both seen and unseen—that we belong to Jesus, that we have been transferred from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son.

This ancient worldview, stretching back to the days of Noah, is not irrelevant or outdated. In fact, Jesus himself said that the days of his return would be like the days of Noah, reminding us that the spiritual realities of that time are still at play in our world. Peter, writing centuries after Noah, draws a direct line from the flood to baptism, showing that both are about deliverance, judgment, and new creation. The flood was not just a story about animals and rainbows; it was a cosmic reset, a confrontation with the powers of chaos and evil, and a prophetic picture of the salvation we now have in Christ.

Baptism, then, is not the means of our salvation—only faith in Christ saves—but it is the outward proclamation of our inward faith. It is a pledge, a battle cry, and a commissioning. When we are baptized, we are not only declaring our trust in what Jesus has done for us, but we are also stepping into our calling as disciples who make disciples, advancing God’s kingdom on earth. We are saying yes to Jesus as both Savior and Lord: yes, I believe you have done everything necessary to save me, and yes, I will go where you ask me to go and do what you ask me to do.

This is not about being perfect or earning God’s favor. It is about trusting in the finished work of Christ, receiving new life by grace, and walking in the authority and freedom he has won for us. We are not the heroes of our own story—Jesus is. And in him, we are not just rescued, but commissioned, empowered, and sent out to proclaim his victory to the world.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The biblical worldview is unapologetically supernatural, recognizing the reality of spiritual beings, powers, and principalities. Ignoring this dimension leads to a shallow understanding of both the gospel and the world we live in. Embracing the Bible’s perspective helps us see that our faith is not just about personal improvement, but about cosmic victory and deliverance from darkness. [02:56]
• 2. Baptism is not a mere ceremony or tradition; it is a supernatural proclamation to all creation—heaven and earth, seen and unseen—that we belong to Jesus. It is a public declaration that the powers of darkness have lost their claim on us, and that we have been transferred into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. [03:57]
• 3. Salvation is entirely the work of Christ—he has done everything necessary to save us. Our role is to receive this gift by faith, not by our own efforts or heritage. Baptism is the outward sign of this inward faith, a pledge that resounds through the spiritual realm, declaring our allegiance to Jesus. [10:01]
• 4. The story of Noah and the flood is not just an ancient tale, but a prophetic picture of judgment, deliverance, and new creation. Peter connects the flood to baptism, showing that both involve passing through waters of chaos and death into new life. This reminds us that God’s rescue is always bigger than we imagine, involving both the seen and unseen realms. [25:10]
• 5. Our calling as followers of Jesus is not just to be saved, but to be sent. Baptism is both a declaration of faith and a commissioning to go where Jesus leads, empowered by his Spirit to make disciples of all nations. We are not the heroes—Jesus is—but in him, we are given authority and purpose to advance his kingdom in a world still in need of rescue. [38:22]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:56] - The Supernatural Worldview of the Bible
• [03:57] - Baptism: More Than a Ceremony
• [05:30] - The Relevance of Noah’s Worldview
• [07:24] - Two Foundational Questions of Baptism
• [08:28] - Baptism as Proclamation to Heaven and Earth
• [10:01] - Outward Proclamation of Inward Faith
• [11:34] - The Foundation of Our Faith: Christ’s Finished Work
• [13:25] - The Personal Call to Faith
• [14:48] - The Reality of Sin and the Human Condition
• [17:37] - Spiritual Powers and Principalities
• [19:13] - Jesus Saves Us from Ourselves
• [20:07] - Elohim: Understanding Spiritual Beings
• [25:10] - Noah, the Flood, and the Supernatural Context
• [32:40] - Misconceptions About Angels and the Supernatural
• [34:15] - Christ’s Victory Over Powers and Principalities
• [35:18] - Baptism as Spiritual Appeal and Pledge
• [37:08] - The Great Commission and Baptism
• [38:22] - Sent to the Nations: Our Commission in Christ
• [40:00] - Invitation to Baptism and Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

1 Peter 3:18-22 (ESV) — > 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.

Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV) — > He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV) — > And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Observation Questions

1. In 1 Peter 3:18-22, what connection does Peter make between the story of Noah and the practice of baptism?
2. According to Colossians 1:13-14, what has God done for us through Christ?
3. In Matthew 28:18-20, what does Jesus command his followers to do, and what authority does he claim?
4. The sermon says, “Baptism is not the means of your salvation. But it is a powerful declaration of it before heaven and earth. And it does matter.” What does this mean in your own words? [[03:57]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Peter draws a direct line from the flood in Noah’s day to the act of baptism? What is the significance of “passing through water” in both stories? [[25:10]]
2. The sermon emphasizes that the biblical worldview is “unapologetically supernatural.” How does recognizing the reality of spiritual beings and cosmic conflict change the way we understand our faith? [[02:56]]
3. The pastor said, “Baptism is the outward proclamation of your inward faith in Jesus Christ to all creation.” Why is it important that this proclamation is made to both the seen and unseen realms? [[10:01]]
4. Jesus says in Matthew 28 that “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” How does this authority relate to our calling as disciples who are sent out? [[38:22]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us not to “water down” spiritual realities or treat baptism as just a ceremony. Have you ever thought of baptism as just a tradition? How does seeing it as a supernatural proclamation change your perspective? [[03:57]]
2. The pastor said, “Do you believe Jesus has done everything necessary to save you?” How would you answer that question honestly right now? What doubts or hesitations do you have, if any? [[07:24]]
3. Baptism is described as a “battle cry” and a “commissioning.” If you have been baptized, how have you lived out your calling to go where Jesus asks you to go and do what he asks you to do? If you haven’t been baptized, what is holding you back? [[37:08]]
4. The sermon says, “We are not the heroes of our own story—Jesus is.” In what areas of your life are you tempted to try to be the hero or rely on your own strength? How can you shift your focus to Jesus’ finished work instead? [[19:13]]
5. The pastor talked about the reality of spiritual warfare and the “domain of darkness.” Are there areas in your life where you feel like you’re still living under old patterns or influences? What would it look like to walk in the freedom and authority Jesus has given you? [[08:28]]
6. Jesus’ commission is to “make disciples of all nations.” Who in your life might God be calling you to reach out to, pray for, or disciple? What is one step you can take this week to move toward that? [[38:22]]
7. The story of Noah was described as a “cosmic reset” and a picture of new creation. In what ways do you see God bringing new creation or fresh starts in your own life or in our church community? [[25:10]]