The Ark And The Church Theology Religion Essay Example
The Ark And The Church Theology Religion Essay Example

The Ark And The Church Theology Religion Essay Example

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  • Pages: 12 (3289 words)
  • Published: October 3, 2017
  • Type: Research Paper
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In both the Old Testament and New Testament, the similarities between the Ark and the church are captivating in terms of salvation. The purpose of this paper is to compare the significance of the Ark and the church in relation to salvation. Paul highlights that there are valuable lessons we can glean from the Old Testament, stating "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope" (Rom 15:4). Let's delve into how these parallels between the Ark and Church exist. "And God said to Noah, 'The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.'"

Noah obediently followed God's directions to construct an Ark using goffer wood and pitch for both the interio

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r and exterior. The Ark had precise measurements: 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits tall. Additionally, Noah incorporated a window and a door on one side. God informed Noah about the forthcoming flood that would eradicate all living beings on Earth because of their violent actions. With unwavering compliance, Noah assembled all the animals into the Ark. He meticulously executed each command from God without any hesitation.

"The coevals of Noah are described as righteous and perfect in their generation, walking with God. Noah, a faithful servant, worshipped God and stood out among others. As a result, Noah and his household were spared. Additionally, Noah is well-known for being the builder of the Ark."

Despite not arguing with God, he obeyed His commandments. In the New Testament, Jesus faithfully served God.

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"And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross" (Phil 2:8). Similarly to Noah constructing the Ark, Christ established His church.

"Therefore, I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church; and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it" (Matt 16:18). God commanded Noah to construct an Ark with no lifeboats or any other types of boats. Similarly, there is only one church. "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence" (Col 1:18). Additionally, "There is one body, and one Spirit; even as you were called in one hope of your calling" (Eph 4:4).

The poetry in Ephesians highlights the unity of the organic structure. Just as Noah used one material, gopher wood, to build the Ark (Gen 6:14), the church was also to be constructed using one type of material. "You also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" (I Peter 2:5). I Peter also affirms this unity.

The passage from the Bible in 1 Peter 3:20-21 discusses the significance of Noah's Ark and baptism. It states that in the time of Noah, when God patiently waited while the Ark was being prepared, a few people - specifically eight souls - were saved through water. This is comparable to baptism, which also saves us, not by cleansing the physical body, but by our conscience turning toward God's righteousness, as symbolized

by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. In essence, Peter emphasizes the similarity between how Noah's family was saved through water and how Christians are saved through baptism.

The flooding water, which saved Noah and his family, is considered the "type," while baptism serves as the "antitype" for our salvation. Some preachers in today's religious community may believe they are more knowledgeable than Peter when it comes to redemption. They may teach that baptism is not necessary for salvation and even change the method of baptism, such as sprinkling or pouring. However, we should remember that Christ gave authority over the Church to Peter, who was the first to proclaim the Gospel message of salvation. What do type and antitype mean? According to God's word, many people and things in the Old Testament were symbols for their counterparts in the New Testament. These symbols are known as types and can be found in the Old Testament, while their corresponding realities called antitypes exist in the New Testament. An antitype corresponds to a person or something from the Old Testament.

For illustration, Adam served as a type and Christ as the antitype. The type in the Judaic faith was the High Priest, while Christ served as the antitype. In the text, the type is represented by the Ark and the Waters of the inundation, while the antitype is represented by the church and baptism. Peter discusses the similarities between the Waters of the inundation and baptism. This unique similarity implies that there are other types and antitypes associated with the inundation and the redemption of Christians.

This message seeks to identify similarities. Peter reveals the first similarity between the Waterss

of the inundation and H2O of baptism. The inundation H2O serves as the type, while Christian baptism serves as the antitype. God intended a similarity between the H2O of the inundation and the H2O of New Testament baptism.

In 1 Peter 3:20-21, Peter explains that Noah and his family were saved through water when God patiently waited during the time of Noah's Ark. This serves as a symbol for baptism, which represents not just physical cleansing but also a manifestation of sincere faith in God through Jesus Christ's Resurrection. Both the floodwaters that saved Noah and his family and Christian baptism share a common purpose of salvation. The passage raises questions about how God used water to save Noah's family and how baptism serves as a means of salvation for Christians, prompting further exploration into the similarities between these two events. Although Noah's flood is often associated with death and destruction, we should also consider its redemptive aspect.

However, the same H2O that destroyed the pre-flood universe saved the household of Noah. Peter did not mean they were saved by water, nor in water. They were saved through water. Water had an important role in their redemption.

The rising waters of the flood caused the Ark to rise and saved the inhabitants of the houseboat from the destruction of the prehistoric world. If the flood waters hadn't caused the Ark to float, it would have remained on the ground and been buried like a sunken ship. Peter didn't say they were saved by water alone. "By faith Noah, being warned by God of things not yet seen, moved with fear, prepared an Ark for the saving of his

household; by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."

Hebrews 11:7 states that Noah and his family were saved by their religious faith, fear of God, construction of the Ark, and willingness to enter it. By not entering the Ark, they would not have been rescued from the floodwaters. Moreover, the floodwaters acted as a cleansing agent for the old world and eradicated existing evils. The flood can be viewed as Earth's baptism since it was completely submerged in water that exceeded even mountain heights by 20 feet. This enabled Noah and his family to embark on a fresh start in a new world.

These Waters separated those who were saved from those who were drowned in the Waters. In a real sense, God recreated the Earth. When it rose out of the covering of H2O, it had a kind of new birth. What changes that were made to the old Earth after the inundation Waters receded we can never fully know.

Many scientists and Bible scholars believe that the Grand Canyon in Arizona was formed by the flooding of Noah rather than just one river over millions of years. However, the apostle Peter indicates that water was used by God to save eight people from the flood. Peter sees a similarity between Noah's rescue and the redemption of the Christian family of God, as it is written, "Eight souls were saved through water, and baptism now also saves us."

Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Peter recorded in Scripture the similarity between the words he wrote and those spoken by God. The floodwaters served as a symbol or type,

while baptismal water represents their fulfillment or antitype. The link between these two types of water is that God employs water for salvation and redemption within the Christian faith, just as He did to save Noah and his family. It was not solely through water that Noah was saved; it was through God's utilization of water to elevate and buoy up the ark.

In a similar way, H2O alone does not save people today; there is no saving power in the water we drink and bathe in. However, God uses water in the Gospel Plan of Salvation to exert His saving power. Peter specifically refers to water baptism, not Holy Spirit baptism or some other kind of baptism. By comparing Christian baptism to the flood waters, he designates water baptism as the counterpart. The reference is to water, ordinary water, and the same type of water in the flood. What makes water baptism a significant act is that it is a commanded act; it is an act of obedience.

God uses H2O in the church to save people through obedience or noncompliance. Similar to how the floodwater saved those on the Ark and separated the saved from the doomed, Christian baptism serves as a final step in God's plan for escaping condemnation. In Mark 16:15-16, Jesus instructs his disciples to preach the Gospel and states that those who believe and are baptized will be saved. This is why Peter affirms that baptism saves us when we become Christians. Baptism signifies the boundary between those who are doomed and those who are saved.

Water played a crucial role during the flood, cleansing the Earth just like how baptism cleanses

a repentant believer of their sinful nature. Baptism serves as a symbol of rebirth and acceptance within Christ's church. Peter understood the significance of baptism for redemption and affirmed that it is necessary to wash away sins. According to Peter, one must repent and be baptized in Jesus Christ's name to receive forgiveness for their sins. The forgiveness of sins is synonymous with remission of sins. Therefore, individuals who have repented should trust Peter's guidance rather than heeding a modern instructor who disagrees with him. In this context, "everyone" refers to those who haven't yet followed the Gospel Plan of Salvation obediently.

God uses H2O in the salvaging process to forgive, take, or cleanse individuals of their past wrongdoings. Religion and penitence are also employed by God for forgiveness. According to Peter, baptism is a crucial act of obedience in God's economy program that brings about salvation. The forgiveness of sins occurs when the repentant believer is immersed in water and comes into contact with the cleansing blood of Christ shed on the cross for everyone. "Through baptism unto death, we were buried with him so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his" (Rom 6:4-5). It's important to remember these aspects regarding your baptism.

On that day, you made a declaration of your belief in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, renouncing sin in order to follow Him. A man who serves God performed the baptism

by fully submerging you in water while invoking the names of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This act washed away any guilt on your conscience and cleansed your body with water (Heb. 10:22). In the Bible, this water used for baptism is described as pure.

The act of baptism, also known as pure H2O, is significant because it is used by God to facilitate forgiveness. According to Peter, a divine apostle, baptism is not meant to physically cleanse the body of impurities but rather serves as an expression of sincere conscience towards God. It purifies the soul and signifies a new birth and inclusion in God's family for Christians. On this day, you were freed from darkness and Satan's control and became part of the church - the Kingdom of God's beloved Son. It was also the day you willingly committed to following Christ and carrying your cross wherever He may lead.

The importance of that life-changing day cannot be overstated. Peter draws a parallel between the redemption of Christians and the redemption of Noah's household from the death and destruction of the flood, implying various blessings. The day when a person is truly converted from their sin and baptized into Christ holds immense significance for them. They have not only been joined by Christ to the saved community, the church.

There is a similarity between those who were saved in Noah's flood and those who have been saved through their transition to Christ. Peter did not explicitly state that the Ark symbolized something and that the church represents its fulfillment, but it was clear enough to understand without explicit explanation. The salvation of Noah's family was

not solely due to the flood itself; instead, it was because of their faith. They demonstrated this faith by building and entering the Ark, despite the godless world around them refusing to do so.

According to the Bible, individuals who showed obedience were condemned by the universe. If they had not entered the Ark, they would have been destroyed by flood waters instead of being saved. Only those inside the Ark survived the flood while all others on Earth died. The church, comprising repentant and baptized Christ followers, is closely associated with the Ark. Just as God used water to rescue those in the Ark, He also uses water to save individuals who join the church. Therefore, the church serves as a means of redeeming souls.

Both the Ark and the church provide a safe haven, as emphasized by Luke in Acts 2:47 when he states, "Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." It is important to acknowledge that all those who are saved are part of the church; there are no saved individuals who do not belong to it.

All individuals are added to the church through water immersion. Just as all those who were saved were inside the Ark, all saved individuals now become part of the church. Those who were not inside the Ark lost both their lives and souls, similarly, those who do not become members of the New Testament church will also lose their souls. Comparing the church to the Ark, I would say that it is the same today as it was during Noah's time. The Ark

had only one door: "A window you shall make for the Ark, and you shall finish it a cubit above; and you shall set the door of the Ark in its side; with lower, second, and third stories you shall make it" (Gen 6:16).

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me' (John 14:6). Jesus also referred to himself as the door to the church, saying, 'I am the door: by me, if any man enters in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture' (John 10:9). Matthew 7:14 states, 'Because narrow is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it.' Additionally, Peter mentioned that 'while the Ark was being prepared, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water' (1 Peter 3:20). From these biblical references, it is evident that only a few will respond to the call of the Gospel."

Just as the Ark had one window for light, "a?¦you shall make a window for the arka?¦" (Gen 6:16). The church also had only one light, "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12). This light is only through the word of God as is revealed through the church. As Christians, we are encouraged to walk in the light. "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood

of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). From observing the newspaper headlines this world is just like it was in the days of Noah, the people's hearts were continuously evil.

The people in today's universe are unbelieving, corrupt, and rapidly devolving, just as in the time of Noah. Just as Noah's Ark stood in his universe, the church stands today, referred to as the pillar and land of truth in the Bible. The church carries the banner of truth to a lost and dwindling world. Christians are like Noah in this day and age. Just as God needed Noah then, He desperately needs Noahs today.

Just as Noah spent 120 years preaching to save only himself and his family, Christians today must preach to the lost around us so they may enter God's spiritual Ark, which is the church, before Christ appears to take His bride, the church, whom He will present to His Father. However, when He appears, the door of the church will be closed, just as the door of the Ark was closed. Similarly, just as those outside the Ark lost their lives, those outside the church will lose their souls to Satan. Like Noah, we are called to preach to a skeptical world. After preaching for 120 years, Noah was able to persuade only his wife, his three sons, and their wives to enter the Ark, but he did not become discouraged.

So do not be discouraged if those who do not believe in God and do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ will face punishment and everlasting devastation from the Lord's presence (2 Thess

1:7-9). If someone who is not part of the church dies, they will be separated from God for eternity in hell. Just like Noah preached for 120 years about the impending destruction of the world, but his relatives and friends did not listen and did not board the Ark, redemption is found in the church. Paul promised that Christ would save the church and compared it to the relationship between a husband and wife, with Christ being the head of the church (Eph 5:23).

The church, as referenced in Colossians 1:18, is the organic structure. Therefore, Christ is identified as the Jesus pertaining to this organic structure, which is also known as the church. Considering this fact, what is the situation for those who are not members of this group? They are existing in the world without any promises or hope. Let us strive to emulate Noah and his household, who feared God and followed His will, ultimately finding salvation in the end. In the same way, all individuals today must adhere to God's Gospel Plan of Salvation in order to be saved.

Just as Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), we too must reach out to those lost in sin.

Work Cited:

  1. Brownlow, Leroy, Why I Am a Member of the Church of Christ, 2004, Pg 187.
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