1 Peter 3:21

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Peter links baptism to Noah’s flood: baptism now saves, not by washing dirt from the body, but as the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

KJV

1 Peter 3:21 in context

¹⁸For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: ¹⁹By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; ²⁰Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. ²¹The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: ²²Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

Peter writes to scattered Christians facing suffering, with hope that holds.

Found in

Bible Verses for BaptismBaptism marks a new life in Christ.

Related verses

Acts 8:36-38

And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

An Ethiopian official hears about Jesus on the road, sees water and asks what hinders him from being baptized. He goes down into the water that same day.

Psalm 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

David’s prayer after his worst failure: create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.