“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us”
1 Peter 3:21
During Spring Break we had the joy of going with our grandchildren to the Ark
Encounter in Kentucky. For those who have never been or don’t know about it, it is a
reproduction of Noah’s ark, comparable in size to what God commanded Noah to build.
Inside are exhibits that take you through the building of the massive structure, dioramas
of the world in its wickedness before the flood, simulations of the flood event,
reproductions of animals, sleeping quarters for Noah and his family, food storage, and
of course gift shops…and much more.
It was a magnificent thing to behold. I stood with my grandkids in front of a
massive door for a picture, and I reminded them of the door of the actual ark that God
shut when Noah, his family and the animals were finally all inside.
The structure was filled with signs throughout quoting verses from the Bible. But
there was one verse that I did not see anywhere. “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. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save
us…” (I Peter 3:20-21) What a sad shame! An exhibit that should reflect the saving of
souls, yet they will not acknowledge how the ark teaches us today to be baptized to be
saved!
Noah and his family had to obey God to be saved by being in the right place
when the deluge came. God has always designated a place of salvation. The ark
(Genesis 6-9), the cities of refuge (Numbers 35), households with blood on the
doorposts (Exodus 12), the ship Paul was told by God to stay in for safety (Acts 27), the
Lord’s church today (Ephesians 5:23-25). Are you in the designated place, the right
place? Have you been baptized to wash away your sins? (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans
6:4)
The world says many things about salvation. Peter said baptism in water saves
us just as it did Noah. I will believe the inspired apostle Peter.