EXPOSING THE SECOND CHANCE THEORY
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. The text for our study is 1 Pet. 3:18-21.
1. The verses seem to be somewhat more confusing when
viewed from the King James Version.
a. Thus, we use that version, hopefully, to clarify and
enlighten us so that we can truly understand what Peter
is revealing.
2. Some people teach from this passage that Christ, after He
was raised, went and preached to the spirits in prison.
a. Thus, according the them, people will have a second
chance after death.
I. NO SECOND CHANCE.
A. From the start, we know that the doctrine of "second chance"
cannot be true because it contradicts many plain passages.
B. There cannot be a second chance because:
1. We would not be judged by the deeds done in the body. 2
Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:12; Eccl. 12:14
2. All would immediate come out of torment. Luke 16:24
3. Why obey God at all if we have a second chance? Thus, the
solemn warnings of Jesus are no warnings at all; that is, if
we have another chance after death. Mark 9:43-48
4. Faith and obedience are the works we are to do now in this
life. John 9:4; Heb. 9:27
5. Why would preaching be done only to those who lived
before the flood?
II. "By which" Vs. 19a KJV.
A. The New King James Version has "by whom." The New
International Version has "through whom."
B. Jesus, by the Spirit, preached through the agency of Noah.
1. What one does through another is said to be done by him.
Neh. 9:30; Eph. 2:17
C. Noah was a "preacher of righteousness" directed by the Holy
Spirit. 2 Pet. 2:5; 1:21
III. "Spirits in prison" Vs. 19b.
A. They were called "spirits" because they were disembodied when
Peter wrote.
B. Christ, through Noah, in Noah's day, preached to the "spirits"
who were now in prison.
C. The "prison," where these spirits were, refers to the place of
torment in "hades."
1. We learn much about "hades" in Luke 16:19-31.
a. There is a great gulf fixed between the two places.
b. The good place is:
(1) Abraham's bosom. Luke 16:22
(2) A place of comfort. Luke 16:25
(3) Paradise. Luke 23:39-43; Acts 2:29-32
c. The bad place is:
(1) A place of torment. Luke 16:25
(2) Where the evil are kept under punishment. 2 Pet.
2:9
(a) In this same context is "hell"; Greek:
"tartarus." 2 Pet. 2:4
(b) Thayer defines "tartarus" as: "Regarded by the
ancient Greeks as the abode of the wicked
dead, where they suffer punishment for their
evil deeds..."
(3) Where spirits are in prison. Our text: 1 Pet. 3:18-20
IV. "Which sometime were disobedient." Vs. 20a
A. The New King James Version has: "who formerly were
disobedient." The American Standard Version has: "who
aforetime were disobedient."
1. Their disobedience was done while in the flesh; thus, the
preaching was done while they were in the flesh.
2. There are indications that God gave them 120 years before
He destroyed them. Gen. 6:3
V. Peter continues with information on baptism. Vs. 20b-21
A. The eight souls being "saved by water" refers to salvation from
the destruction of the old world.
B. Peter adds, "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also
now save us..."
1. There are many false ideas regarding baptism.
a. A Jehovah's Witness once said, "Noah and his family
were not saved by water; they were saved by the ark."
(1) Answer: Peter said they were saved by water.
b. Some ask, "Wasn't Noah a saved individual before the
flood?" Thus, they claim that one can be a saved
individual before baptism.
(1) His salvation was not parallel in every aspect to
our's; for example, Noah was commanded to build
an ark; we aren't.
c. "One is saved by Holy Spirit baptism."
(1) We are now under "one" baptism. Eph. 4:5
(2) Peter is showing that "water," plain ordinary water,
has a part in our salvation.
d. Some say, "There is no power in the water."
(1) There is no power in the water, but water is an
instrument used by God.
(2) The power is of the Lord, but we must be
immersed in water to be blessed by the Lord.
e. Some say, "Baptism is just a figure of your salvation."
(1) Peter did not say that baptism is a figure which
shows that you are already saved.
(2) He is showing that just as Noah and his family were
saved by water, we are saved by baptism.
(a) Thayer defines the word "figure": "1) a thing
formed after some pattern; a thing resembling
another, its counterpart, 2) something in the
Messianic times which answers to the type, as
baptism corresponds to the deluge (1 Pet
3:21)."
(3) The same Greek word ("figure") is found in Heb.
9:24.
(4) The NASV has, "And corresponding to that,
baptism now saves you..."
VI. "But the answer of a good conscience." Vs. 21b
A. Peter reveals to us what baptism does.
1. It is an "interrogation" ASV ("inquiry," "appeal" footnote)
of a good conscience.
2. It is the "answer;" the act wherein one seeks and obtains a
good conscience.
3. One calls on God to wash away his sins. Acts 22:16
4. One has faith that God will "operate" or "work" in removing
sins. Col. 2:12
5. To me, the NASV is exceedingly clear in the way it
translates 1 Pet. 3:21. It says, "Corresponding to that,
baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the
flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through
the resurrection of Jesus Christ..."
Concl.
A. Thus, baptism is not merely an outward cleansing such as taking
a bath, but is an act wherein one seeks to obtain a clear
conscience before God.
1. It is in the act of baptism that one makes an inquiry or
appeal to God for a good conscience.
2. It is in the act of baptism that one has the answer from God
as he appeals for a clear conscience.
B. In July 1976, Israeli commandos made a daring raid at an
airport in Entebbe, Uganda, in which 103 Jewish hostages were
freed. In less than 15 minutes, the soldiers had killed all
seven of the kidnappers and set the captives free.
As successful as the rescue was, however, three of the hostages
were killed during the raid. As the commandos entered the
terminal, they shouted in Hebrew, "Get down! Craw!" The Jewish
hostages understood and lay down on the floor, while the
guerrillas, who did not speak Hebrew, were left standing.
Quickly the rescuers shot the upright kidnappers.
But two of the hostages, perhaps because they saw no need to
obey the command, continued to stand. They, too, were also
cut down. One young man was lying down and actually stood up
when the commandos entered the airport. He, too, was shot with
bullets meant for the enemy. Had these three heeded the
soldiers' command, they would have been free with the rest of
the captives. (From Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching, p.
168)
Salvation is open to all, but we must heed the Lord's command
to repent and be baptized. If we do not humbly submit to His
will, we will be destroyed by Him.
C. How about you? Have you made your appeal to God for a good
conscience in baptism?