Through the season of Lent, as we move toward the cross, the tomb and resurrection, we will follow a teaching series on Baptism. Our Wednesday evening devotional studies will give you an opportunity to follow up what you have learned in worship on Sunday morning with questions and conversation.  Our overall Lenten focus will be: Baptised into His Death.
This Sunday we take up the theme A Sacrament, not a Sign
Many people view Baptism as symbolic and something we humans do to show our devotion to God. However, this passage makes it clear that Baptism is not a symbol. Peter states clearly, “Baptism… saves you.” It is a sacrament. This is God at work, doing what Jesus was sent to do: to seek and to save!
Let’s look closely at what Peter says. He doesn’t say, “Baptism symbolizes something.” He does say water (including the water of the Flood) is a sign (i.e., symbolizes) of what Baptism does – save us from sin. That is what God does in a Sacrament. He connects his Gospel with things we will see in normal life – water, wine, bread – so that earthly blessings might remind us of eternal ones.
Hence, the theme of the day: A Sacrament, not a Sign