As we have already seen, Peter was the disciple of Jesus that was promised the keys to the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16v19), and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit first used and revealed them on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2v38 (56}). Peter was seen as the early leader of the church, especially of those based in Jerusalem.

The keys to the kingdom of heaven are available to us today, as shown by the fact that God has “made us sit together in heavenly places, That in the ages to come . . . ” (Ephesians 2v6-7). We also find that our present position is that we “are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem” (Hebrews 12v22). Both of these scriptures point to the present situation of the believer, showing that the keys have been disclosed, applied and used since the start of the church. The keys are therefore not physical (fleshly) keys, but spiritual keys. The most wonderful and blessed thing about this is that we have a duplicate of the keys to the kingdom of heaven, and use them when we copy the commands and actions of the Apostle Peter on the day of Pentecost – seen especially in Acts 2v38 {56}.

In the verse immediately prior to this one, Peter talked about the saving of Noah and his family through the waters of the flood. This is one of only two references in the New Testament to a “type” (figure, example, foreshadow, precursor) of baptism in the Old Testament. (The other “type” we have already seen in 1^st Corinthians 10v2 {84}, where the passing of the Israelites through the Red Sea was seen as being “baptized unto Moses”.) Here, baptism is compared to the situation at the time of the flood, where Noah and his family were saved by going through a watery experience. Notice also that for both “types” for baptism in the Old Testament, at least part of the process involved leaving the world that they had previously known behind them – effectively becoming dead to the old life. This is also found in New Testament baptism, where the old life of sin is to be repented of and then left behind – Peter here using the phrase “the answer of a good conscience toward God”. Of course the conscience can become even more ‘good’ once it receives remission of sin – no longer needing to feel guilt for sins that are past and have been forgiven.

In this verse we see Peter categorically stating that we are saved by baptism – as he said, “baptism doth also now save us”. Just as Noah and his family were saved from death and destruction, after God had waited for the rescue vehicle to be completed, so now are we saved through the ‘vehicle’ of being baptised. Our vehicle is ready, Jesus having constructed it by His death, burial and resurrection, and Peter launching it to the world on the day of Pentecost. Peter also handed out copies of the keys to the vehicle for all that wish to use it.

Some of the reasons that baptism saves us are shown in this verse, and also the next one. The resurrection of Jesus is very important, as well as the fact that He has now ascended into heaven and has taken up His rightful place there. Peter here is emphasising again the importance of identifying with the resurrection of Jesus through baptism in His name (see also the section on Romans 6v4 {78}), while also reminding us that the Holy Spirit could not be given until Jesus was back in Heaven (as he showed previously on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2v33, explained in section {56}).

The part within the brackets in this verse explains our part in the transaction that is taking place at our baptism. The phrase “not the putting away of the filth of the flesh” can be understood in two ways – both of which I believe are equally valid. Firstly, Peter is showing that baptism is not the mere washing away of any dirt on the outside of the body, not a physical washing of the flesh, but is something deeper – something happening on the inside. Secondly, Peter is not saying that there is no need to repent of the sinful ways of the flesh, but rather that there is something more fundamental, something closer to the foundation of our relationship with God that needs to be in place as we are baptised. Peter is drawing our eyes away from seeing in the physical “fleshly” realm, and towards seeing what is happening in the spiritual realm at our baptism – not just what happens on the outside, but what should happen on the inside at the same time. This he then explains more fully with the phrase “but the answer of a good conscience toward God”. Clearly an answer implies a question – God is saying, “I have provided a way of escape from my judgement, will you please take it? Will you become a partaker of My righteousness that I have provided for you through the cross? Will you have faith and take me at my word? Will you use the keys that I have provided to get you into my kingdom?” However you see the question, the correct answer should be that of a good conscience and baptism on our part, allowing God to then do His part.

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