Does Baptism Save You? | 1 Peter 3:21-22
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Release Date: 09/05/2026
How to Cast Your Anxiety on God | 1 Peter 5:7
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is : casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. — Some burdens feel too important to put down. We tell ourselves that continuing to think about them is responsible. If we stop rehearsing the possibilities, anticipating every problem, or trying to control every outcome, something may fall apart. But responsibility can slowly become the belief that everything depends on us. Yesterday, Peter told us to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand. Today, he shows us what humility does with the weight it cannot carry: “Casting all your anxieties on...
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How to Humble Yourself Before God | 1 Peter 5:5-6
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is : Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you. — Humility is one of the hardest virtues to examine. Because the moment we become impressed with our own humility, it has already become pride. For the past couple of days, Peter has been speaking to Christian leaders. He has called them to shepherd God’s people and model...
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How Should Christian Leaders Use Authority? | 1 Peter 5:3-4
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is : not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. — Peter never forgot the night Jesus picked up a towel. John tells us that Jesus knew the Father had given all things into His hands. He knew where He had come from and where He was going. Yet those hands did not grasp for greater status. They removed His outer garment, tied a towel around His waist, and washed the feet of His disciples. The One with absolute authority used it to serve. In that moment,...
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What Makes a Good Christian Leader? | 1 Peter 5:1-2
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is : So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; — Leadership becomes dangerous the moment we forget whom the people belong to. For four chapters, Peter has been teaching us how believers stand firm under pressure. Now, as we enter the final chapter of this letter together, he...
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What Does “Judgment Begins at the House of God” Mean? | 1 Peter 4:17-19
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is : For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. — Some verses sound frightening until you read them in context. Peter writes, “It is time for judgment to begin at the household of God.” That statement can make sincere believers...
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Stand Firm When the Fire Comes | 1 Peter 4
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
What if the fire isn’t proof that you missed God’s will but the moment your faith becomes visible—in 1 Peter 4, Peter shows how to stay faithful when following Jesus becomes costly. Summary Peter prepares believers for fiery trials by calling them to arm their minds with Christ’s resolve and give the rest of their lives to God’s will. He urges them to use their remaining time for clear-minded prayer, earnest love, openhearted hospitality, and faithful service. He also warns that not every consequence is persecution, so Christians must make sure their suffering comes from faithfulness...
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How Should Christians Respond to Persecution? | 1 Peter 4:12-16
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is : Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. — ...
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How to Discover and Use Your Spiritual Gifts | 1 Peter 4:10-11
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is 1 Peter 4:10-11: As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. — 1 Peter 4:10-11 One year ago today, Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University. Much of his public life had been spent speaking to students, inviting debate, building an organization, and...
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What Does “Love Covers a Multitude of Sins” Mean? | 1 Peter 4:8-9
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is : Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. — Pressure has a way of exposing what relationships are made of. When life is calm, patience comes more easily. But when people are tired, frightened, disappointed, or under strain, small offenses begin to feel larger. Weaknesses become harder to overlook, and relationships that once felt effortless can become difficult to maintain. Peter was writing to believers living under increasing opposition. They needed one another...
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How Should Christians Live in the End Times? | 1 Peter 4:7
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is 1 Peter 4:7: The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. — 1 Peter 4:7 When Christians talk about the end times, the conversation often gets louder as charts appear, headlines are decoded, and predictions multiply. Peter takes the conversation in a quieter—and more demanding—direction: Pray. Listen again to what he writes, “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.” Peter is not giving his readers a date for Christ’s return. He is...
info_outlineOur text today is 1 Peter 3:21-22:
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 Peter 3:21-22
Baptism is one of those subjects that raises a lot of questions. Maybe you were baptized as an infant and have wondered what it meant. Maybe you were baptized after coming to faith in Christ. Maybe you've never taken that step at all. And then you come to Peter's words:
"Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you..."
At first glance, it sounds shocking.
Does Peter mean that the act of baptism itself saves us?
Fortunately, Peter doesn't leave us guessing.
He immediately clarifies:
"...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."
Peter isn't describing a mystical ritual. He isn't saying that water itself has the power to wash away sin. In fact, he specifically says he is not talking about the physical washing of the body.
So what does he mean?
Peter takes us back to Noah. The floodwaters brought judgment upon a rebellious world. But Noah and his family were brought safely through that judgment because they were sheltered in the ark. Notice something critical. Noah wasn't saved by the water. The water denoted judgment. Noah was saved by the ark from the water of judgment.
Likewise, water baptism doesn't save us. Christ does. Baptism is the outward declaration that we belong to the One who carried us safely through judgment.
In other words:
The water didn't save Noah. The ark did.
The water doesn't save you. Christ does.
Baptism simply declares whose ark you're in. Peter then lifts our eyes even higher. He reminds us that our salvation comes:
"...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."
This is where Peter wants suffering believers to end. Not focused on the hostility around them. Not trapped by confusion over difficult passages. But looking to the risen and reigning Christ.
The governments of this world aren't ultimate. Spiritual powers aren't ultimate. Your fears aren't ultimate. Jesus is.
Maybe you've forgotten what your baptism represents. Maybe you've never publicly identified with Christ through baptism. Either way, remember this: Your hope has never been in religious rituals. Your hope has never been in your performance. Your hope is in the risen King who carried you safely through judgment and now reigns over all things.
Because the Savior who suffered for you now reigns over you.
And because He reigns, you can stand firm in a hostile world.
If you trust in Jesus but have never been baptized as a believer, don't let fear, uncertainty, or delay keep you from this act of obedience. Baptism doesn't save you, but it does publicly declare that you belong to Christ. Talk to a pastor, ministry leader, or trusted friend in the faith and let them know you're ready to take this next step of following Him.
DO THIS:
Reflect on your own baptism. If you've been baptized, thank God for what it represents and consider sharing your testimony with someone this week. If you haven't been baptized as a believer, prayerfully consider taking that next step of public identification with Christ.
ASK THIS:
- What have I believed baptism accomplishes, and how does Peter clarify its purpose?
- How does the image of the ark deepen my understanding of salvation?
- What fears become smaller when I remember that Jesus reigns over all authorities and powers?
PRAY THIS:
Father, thank You that my salvation rests securely in Christ and not in anything I could accomplish for myself. Thank You for the gift of baptism, which reminds me that I belong to Jesus. Help me live with confidence under the authority of my risen King and stand firm in this hostile world. Amen.
PLAY THIS:
"Baptized."