19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 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, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
The plain reading of text suggests that after Jesus was made alive in the Spirit, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits (it does not specify whether it was fallen angels or human spirits) but the latter seems more convincing because of the context in which Peter speaks of the disobedient where only eight people were being saved (Noah’s family). Some Bible commentators interpret this to be the pre-incarnate Christ preaching to the generation of Noah’s time but the context does not seem too persuasive (verse 18 begins with the phrase, “after being made alive” referring to Jesus’ interval period of death and resurrection).
Now, we do not know to what extend the proclamation was all about. Was it a proclamation of victory over sin and Satan? Was it a proclamation that brought salvation to the imprisoned spirits? In this case, the former seems more plausible because it is in line with the rest of the Biblical teaching about the salvation plan of God through Jesus Christ while on earth (John 3:16, 18; 14:6; Acts 4:12).
Now, then the fact that only eight people were saved through water takes a symbolic meaning of baptism that saves us (1 Peter 3:21a). Peter explains it further that this water baptism is a pledge (commitment/promise) of a clear conscience before God. Water baptism sends a message to the world that we are buried with Christ Jesus in baptism and therefore, will be raised from the dead through the glory of the Father (Romans 6:3-4).
Notice carefully how Peter clarifies what saves us: it is by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:21b). He has gone to heaven and is at God’s right hand (symbolizing the honor and authority of the Son of God)—the next phrase explains it “with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him” (1 Peter 3:22).
The picture of Noah’s time illustrates that Christians should be bold and daunting in proclaiming the message of the Gospel. It also reminds the readers that there will be few who will take the message to heart and be saved. The Christians, then, as they pledged their allegiance to Christ should by no means deny their Lord and make a shipwreck of their faith. As Christians identify themselves with the (suffering) death of Jesus Christ, they will also be glorified like that of Christ in their bodily resurrection. The portrait of “Jesus at God’s right hand” gives the assurance to the believers that Jesus is the ultimate Judge and King, not the earthly Roman Emperor.
Prayer: Almighty God, may you give us the power to stand boldly for the truth. Help us to pledge allegiance to Jesus Christ even in difficult times and situations. We pray for victory over our fears and timidity. In Christ name, amen.
