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?