1 Peter 3:21

...and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also — not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ

From Background Notes [BN] for July 2nd & 3rd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

The truth of the matter is that baptism depicts two distinct realities: something is plunged to its death while something else rises in new life.

But Peter sharpens that point even further when he writes that baptism is “an appeal to God for a good conscience.” What does he mean? The underlying Greek helps us clarify this important explanation. The word “appeal” is from eperōtēma which means “that which is asked for, a request, an appeal, pledge, promise.” The idea of “pledge” fits the context well, since at the time of early Christian baptism, a series of questions were put to the recipient of baptism and to which they were to offer honest and unambiguous answers. The root of this word in Greek is “ask.” Some basic questions are posed at baptism in the Christian tradition. The baptismal liturgy asks that we make six promises:

1. Renounce Satan and the forces of wickedness

2. Renounce the evil powers of this world
3. Renounce sinful desires that draw you from God
4. Turn to Jesus Christ and accept Him as Savior
5. Put whole trust in God
6. Promise to obey and follow Him as Lord [BN,10 ]

Join us this week in Worship, Praise and Celebration at C1:
* Saturday 6:00pm
* Sunday 9am & 10:30am