Was Noah Sinless?

Baptism, when properly done by immersion in water, while also representing a new way of life (see Christian Living), ultimately symbolizes the burial (when they die - see The Sleep Of Death) and the resurrection (on the day of Christ's return - see Could Christ Return Tonight?) of repentant people (see also Why Isn't Infant Baptism Valid?).

"^3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good Conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:21 KJV)

"^6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? ^6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? [see Grace Into Licentiousness]

^6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? ^6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ^6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: ^6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." (Romans 6:1-6 KJV)

"The body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin"

Was the flood in the time of Noah a "baptism"? It did involve water, so that "the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin" (Romans 6:6 KJV, quoted above), but there was no repentance in all of humanity, except for Noah and his family. Noah wasn't sinless - only Christ was sinless. Noah and his family were judged righteous because they heeded God's Word at a time when no one else would.

"^1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ^1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ^1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (1 John 1:8-10 KJV)

The people "lost" in the flood weren't immersed in water - they were submerged in water because they refused to repent like Noah did. There is nevertheless a partial "baptism" in what happened to them because they did have their sinful lives put to death in water and they will be resurrected at a future time when they will be judged according to what they do with the awareness that they will have at that time.

"^20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works." (Revelation 20:13 KJV)

Notice however what will come upon those who still refuse to repent (or who refused to repent all through the ages even though they did have the means to understand) - another flood, but this time of fire (see Baptism Of Fire):

"^20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

^20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:14-15 KJV)

After the earth has been purified at that future time, the entire earth will be paradise; even the 70% of the earth surface that is now oceans will be land.

"^21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

^21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

^21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

^21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Revelation 21:1-4 KJV)

Fact Finder: Who brought the flood of water in the time of Noah? Who will bring the flood of fire in the future?
See The Floods Brought By Christ

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