Days of Noah

For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit, 19in whom He also went and preached to the spirits in prison 20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In the ark a few people, only eight souls, were saved through water.

[1 Peter 3:18-20]

In the final verses of 1 Peter 3, we are confronted with one of the most challenging passages in all of Scripture. Peter opens the door for discussion on a variety of controversial topics. For example, we discover an enigmatic reference to Jesus going to the “spirits in prison” and making some form of declaration, which has generated all types of interpretations including the Roman Catholic doctrine of purgatory.

Peter also connects the flood to a form of “baptism,” and if not read carefully, would seem to imply some form of baptismal regeneration. Other denominations have run with this passage teaching the false doctrine that one must be water baptized to be saved.

And then there is the obvious allusion to the ancient Book of Enoch, who is described as serving as a mediator between God and the rebellious Watcher angels in the days before the flood.

As you can see, this passage has been the genesis of great confusion and controversy in the church, but a closer look at this passage in its greater context resolves all of these concerns.

Many pastors simply skip over this text altogether to avoid the difficulties it presents. But that is both unnecessary and irresponsible.

We can know with confidence the true identity of the mysterious “spirits in prison.” We can understand the cosmic mission of Jesus in light of His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. We also can disregard the idea of purgatory and baptismal regeneration.

If we are willing to study the whole counsel of God.

To discover more about this fascinating passage, please watch my teaching in the YouTube video below, and please feel free to share within your own networks.