Q. Taking specifically into consideration 1 Peter 3:21, how do we get away with saying that we are only saved by belief and repentance?
In order to understand the entire context of 1 Peter 3:21, one cannot just take into consideration that lone verse, rather the verses preceding and succeeding it must be considered as well.

Verses 18-22 state: For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us–baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

Peter delineates any confusion right on the top end when he places the focus on the work of Christ, who suffered once to bring us to God. We don’t bring ourselves to God, rather He does the bringing. The Bible does not contradict itself. If it says one thing (that salvation comes from the work of Christ only), then it can’t say another also (that man can work for his own salvation). Baptism is a work, therefore it cannot be included within the salvation process. Mark 1:15 and Acts 20:21 clearly state that we are saved by repenting and believing solely.

But what about this passage? Well, if the context is understood properly, water is actually referred to here as an instrument of judgment, not salvation. God’s patience wore thin after 120 years of allowing man to change His ways during the days that Noah spent building the ark. When the rebellion perpetuated, God judged the earth through water. The point that Peter makes is that God save Noah from the water, not through it. Then Peter goes on to speak of baptism, which is used in other contexts than just water in Scripture (i.e. 1 Cor 12:13: For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…). Baptism means to be immersed. Just as we are immersed into the church by the Spirit as Paul tells us, Peter lets us know that through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, we also are immersed into God’s family. Antitype is just a symbolic term used as an earthly expression for a heavenly reality. Peter is using symbolism. Basically, in no way is Peter saying baptism by water save us. He even clarifies by stating “not the removal of the filth of the flesh” (or through some act of cleansing by water), but by “the answer of a good conscience toward God.” Having a good conscience toward God cannot be accomplished by something that we do. It can only be accomplished through repentance and faith…from the working of Christ.

This passage can easily be deciphered when one uses a proper hermeneutic. Plainly stated, when we study the Bible, we must study it properly in order to be able to interpret it properly. If we look at the historical, grammatical, literary, and literal context, we can more easily identify with what the Biblical writers are saying.

Q. If you honestly devote yourself to getting plugged into a church, life groups, studies on your own time, prayer and group prayers; like really dig into a church and seek after God, and adjust your life to the Word and He doesn’t reveal himself….whats the issue then? I’ve heard many testimonies about seeking and seeking and seeking after him and just never feeling his presence.
It seems as though in this instance we are dealing with a lack of feeling God’s presence in one’s life. Theologically speaking, there is no gray area with a person who is a true disciple of Christ and who isn’t. We know that through what Mark 1:15 and Acts 20:21 tell us, we can accept the free gift of salvation that God offers by repenting and believing. We also know through Scripture that once a person has genuinely committed their life to Jesus, they cannot forfeit or lose that position (Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:38).

The items listed within the question itself can all be accomplished without truly understanding Christ’s message of truth. These items can all be done out of a false sense of security and sadly, in many cultures, these sorts of things are done merely out of some type of a cultural, governmental, or family obligation. Even James 2:19 tells us that “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe–and tremble!” James is stating that even demons believe in God, but they obviously have rebelled and turned their back on Him so they miss the whole point.
It’s Not About What We “Do”
For those who feel like they are trying to “do things right,” it is not about that. Romans 3:10 says that “There is none righteous, no, not one,” so we know that we can’t do anything on our own to make ourselves be in good standing with God. And others might say, I just want to feel God in my life. Well, feelings many times are subjective and temporal. We can’t expect to find answers from God in the clouds or on billboards. Faith is what the Bible says it is: “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1).

We must come to the point in our lives where doing a ton of good things like going to church, helping old ladies across streets, building homes for people, and feeding the homeless aren’t going to give us the feeling of connection we need with God. Even if we are attempting with all of our might to feel God, if it is done with an improper foundation, it is useless. We must be realistic about the situation rather than emotional. Objectivity, rather than subjectivity in this case leads us to the heart of the matter: that we are sinners, undeserving of knowing, much less being able to feel God; and yet, God, showed us so much love that He sacrificed Himself for us. If our focus is on the Gospel (in greek – euangello – good message – 1 Cor. 15:1-4), then we won’t be worrying about having some type of an emotional connection with God. We will see our situation for what it really is. We will see God for who He really is. We will base our coming to God off of reason, not emotions. The emotional component will come later, as it does with any relationship.

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