The example of Noah and the ark is set forth in the New Testament as a
true likeness of salvation today. (1 Pet. 3:20-21). In that example is
enough to settle the question of what one must do to be saved, if only a
reasonable and candid thought be given to it.
The Following Facts About Noah Are Evident
- God saved Noah. "For if God spared not... the old world, but saved Noah
the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness..." (2 Pet. 2:4-5).
- Noah's faith saved him. "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things
not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his
house; by the which he condemned the world, and became the heir of the
righteousness which is by faith." (Heb. 11:7).
- Noah was saved in the ark. "...wherein few, that is, eight souls were
saved..." (1 Pet. 3:20).
- Noah was saved by water. "...when once the longsuffering of God waited
in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is,
eight souls were saved by water." (1 Pet. 3:20-21).
- Noah saved himself under God's grace and providence. "...being warned
of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the
saving of his house..." (Heb. 11:7). Noah went about the work "when once
the longsuffering of God waited." God's grace, man's work — that's the
complete story.
The Following Facts About Us Are Evident
- God saves us. "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath
appeared unto all men..." (Titus 2:11).
- Our faith saves us. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that
not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should
boast." (Eph. 2:8-9).
- We are likewise saved by baptism. "The like figure whereunto baptism
doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but
the answer of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus
Christ." (1 Pet. 3:21).
- So like Noah, individuals today, under the providence of God and by his
grace which is in Jesus Christ, "saves himself from this crooked
generation" (Acts 2:40) by obeying all the commands of God. It is the same
story as of old — God's grace coupled with man's work. "Ye see then how that
by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." (Jas. 2:24).
When Noah came forth from the ark, one thing had separated him from the world of
condemned men — water. That was the dividing point. When a Christian comes from the water
he looks upon a new world, and by the blood of Christ reached in baptism he is divided from
the old life. Through faith in Christ and by the mercy of God, a man is baptized for the
remission of sins. (Acts 2:38). He is then saved, for "He that believeth and is
baptized shall be saved." (Mark 16:16).
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