Washed and Renewed
- Rev. Christopher Brademeyer
- Mar 18
- 5 min read
Washed and Renewed
The 5th Wednesday of Lent – 3/18/2026
1 Peter 3:18-22
Rev. Dr. Christopher W. Brademeyer
That portion from God’s holy Word for consideration this evening is our reading from First Peter in the third chapter with special emphasis on verses twenty-one and twenty-two which read as follows:
“Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.”[1]
Thus far the Scriptures.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The words of St. Peter are striking and difficult to misinterpret. “Baptism… now saves you.” Baptism is something that the Holy Scriptures ascribe great importance. Our Lord Jesus, after His resurrection, sends His Church with this command: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…” These are not marginal statements. They are not optional add-ons to the Christian life. They stand at the very center of what Christ has given His Church to do and to proclaim.
Despite the importance of Baptism, it is sadly often misunderstood. Some treat it as a mere symbol, something we do to show our commitment to God. Others neglect it altogether as total optional and indifferent in the Christian life. But Holy Scripture speaks very differently. Baptism is not our work for God, it is God’s work for us. So today we consider what Baptism is, what it gives, how it is received, and why it is such a deep and abiding comfort for the Christian.
What Baptism Does
Baptism is a means of grace. That is, it is one of the concrete ways God has instituted to deliver His grace to sinners. It is not an empty ritual. It is not simply water. It is water included in God’s command and combined with God’s Word. When Christ says, “baptiz[e] them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” He attaches His divine name to water. And where His Word is, there He is working, acting, and giving forgiveness and salvation. Baptism is able to grant this forgiveness because it hand delivers to each of you who have been baptized the very forgiveness that your Lord died for you to have. The blood of Jesus is applied to you personally in your Baptism.
St. Peter connects Baptism to the flood in the days of Noah. Just as the flood waters brought death to the wicked and lifted Noah and his family to safety, so Baptism is not merely symbolic, it is life-giving. The Apostle says that it is not an outward washing, a simple ritual. Instead, it is the basis of a clean conscience, which is only possible if one has been given real and abiding forgiveness.
Baptism regenerates and renews. It brings about new birth. The old Adam is drowned, and a new man arises. This is not a poetic description of conversion, it is reality that is effected in Baptism. God creates faith and new life through this washing.
Christ accomplished salvation once for all on the cross. There, sin was atoned for. There, death was defeated. But the question is: how does what Christ did there become yours here? The answer Is simple. Christ gives you His benefits through the means He has instituted and promised, especially Baptism. In Baptism, the benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection are delivered to you individually. You are united with Him. His death becomes your death. His life becomes your life.
What We Need to Enjoy the Benefit of Baptism: Faith
All of this is given in Baptism, but it must be received by faith. Faith does not make Baptism effective. That is to say, Baptism does not work because of our faith. God’s Word does that. But faith receives what Baptism gives. We can summarize it this way: Salvation is earned on the cross. It is delivered in Baptism. It is received by faith. Without faith, the gift that Christ gives in Baptism is rejected. But where faith is present, even the smallest faith, there the gifts of Baptism are received and enjoyed. This is why even little babies are baptized: because faith itself is God’s gift, and He is able to create it even in the smallest child. And this is not just the opinion of Lutheran pastors, it is shown in the faith of the unborn St. John the Baptist in Luke chapter 1.
Baptism Is Necessary, But Not Absolutely So
Christ commands Baptism. Therefore, it is necessary. It is not optional for those who hear the Gospel and have the opportunity to receive it. And yet, it is not absolutely necessary in the sense that God is bound to it in the same way we are. God commands us to baptize converts and our children. He does not say that He will only save the baptized. The thief on the cross was not baptized, and yet Christ promised him paradise. This is somewhat difficult tension to hold. Baptism is not options for Christians, but we do not hold the absence of Baptism against those who are prevented from getting it by persecution or other hardship. It is not the absence of Baptism that is an issue, but a despising and ignoring of it.
The Comfort of Baptism
Baptism is a source of great comfort for us Christians. It is the objective place where we were born again into the very family of God. It is where God adopted us by putting His holy Name on us. It is where we are given salvation. So, in times of doubt, when your conscience accuses you, when you are burdened by sin, when you feel far from God, do not look inward. Do not measure the strength of your faith or the sincerity of your repentance.
Look to your Baptism. Baptism is not your work, it is God’s work. It is something He has done to you and for you. You can say: I am baptized. God has put His name on me. My sins are forgiven. I belong to Christ. St. Peter anchors Baptism in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That means your Baptism is as certain as Christ’s victory over the grave. It does not depend on your feelings. It rests on His finished work.
Conclusion
Baptism is not a small thing. It is not a human ceremony or a symbolic gesture. It is a divine act. Through it, God: gives His grace, creates new life, forgives sins, and unites you to Christ. It is received by faith, commanded by Christ, and given for your comfort. So hold fast to your Baptism. Return to it daily in repentance and faith. Live in it. Die in it. For in Baptism, you have been joined to Christ—and where Christ is, there is life, salvation, and peace.
In the holy Name of + Jesus. Amen.
The peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
[1] 1 Peter 3:21-22
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