• Home
  • GracEmail Ministry
    • What is GracEmail?
    • Latest GracEmail
    • frequently asked questions
    • GracEmail Category Index
  • Written Ministry
    • Articles
    • Special Bible Studies
    • Books
    • Online Books
    • Worship Resources
    • Interviews
  • Videos
  • About
    • The Personal Pages
      • Photo Albums
    • My Professional Life
  • Contact

Edward Fudge Ministries

Joyously drawing water from the springs of salvation Isaiah 12:2-3

You are here: Home / GracEmail / our response to God's salvation / GOSPEL BAPTISM / APPEAL FOR A GOOD CONSCIENCE

APPEAL FOR A GOOD CONSCIENCE

A gracEmail subscriber asks what Peter means when he speaks of baptism as “the pledge of a good conscience toward God” (1 Pet. 3:21).

*          *          *

The Greek word translated “pledge” in this verse only appears here in the New Testament. Earlier in classical Greek and in the Greek Old Testament, the word meant an “inquiry,” “question,” or “demand.” Later in secular Greek, it refers to formal pleadings filed with a court. I think the better translation here is “an appeal to God for a good conscience.”

If that is correct, Peter says that by baptism the believer formally requests a clean conscience from God based on the atonement of Jesus, which God certified by raising Jesus from the dead. In the New Testament, gospel baptism is the formal means for expressing initial repentance and faith, for renouncing the old way of life, and for commiting oneself to follow Christ (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Col. 2:12; Rom. 6:3-4). It is also the believer’s dramatized request to God to wipe clean the guilty conscience, based on what God has done in raising Jesus from the dead.

This teaching is part of a larger theme in First Peter involving “suffering” and “glory” — rejection by man and vindication by God (1:6-7; 2:12; 2:19-24; 3:6, 13-22; 4:12-19; 5:10). Noah was mocked by his generation, but God vindicated him with the Flood. Jesus was condemned by his generation, but God vindicated him by raising him from the dead (1 Pet. 3:22). Similarly, the baptized person petitions God for a clear conscience based on Jesus’ resurrection. This clear conscience reminds the Christian, even though persecuted now, that God will reverse the world’s condemning judgment one day and replace it with the glory of Jesus Christ.

Filed Under: GOSPEL BAPTISM, GracEmail, meaning, our response to God's salvation

Search

SEARCH more than 1,200 gracEmails by verse or word below

Sign Up to gracEmail

Click HERE, then fill in the blanks and click “Subscribe.”

Or send a completely BLANK email to:
join-edwardfudge@injesus.netatlantic.com

Video Categories

  • Videos
    • Divine Rescue
    • Hell
    • Hell & Mr Fudge
    • Lectures
    • Miscellaneous
    • Preaching
    • Q & A
    • Testimonies
    • The Fire That Consumes

gracEmail

gracemail

This Christ-centered, Bible-based internet column is published once or twice each week at no charge, for thousands of subscribers throughout the body of Christ around the world. Read More…

Written Ministry

written ministry

For 50 years, God has blessed readers through Edward’s writings — including books, sermons, worship resources, articles, Bible studies and reviews. Many of these writings are available here at no charge. His seven current books can be ordered through links found with their descriptions. Read More …

Speaking Ministry

preaching

You can also enjoy Edward’s Video Teaching right now.

  • Home
  • Site Map
  • Latest GracEmail
  • Written Ministry
  • About
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 Edward Fudge Ministries · KT Websites · Log in