From saves to made alive Part 2 of 4 (belief and faith)

 FROM SAVES TO MADE ALIVE

A Deeper Apostolic Resonance in 1 Peter 3:21
Part 2 of 3

The King James Version says:

"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

The key Greek word here is eperotema - 1906 Strongs. It only appears once in the New Testament. It comes from epi (towards) + erotao (to ask, interrogate, request).

How do you get answer from ask + towards? It should be a request, an inquiry unto God.

That is why translations vary:

KJV - answer
ESV - appeal
NIV - pledge

The Greek is ambiguous.

Now turn to the Peshitta, the ancient Aramaic Bible used by the early Eastern churches. Jesus and Peter spoke Aramaic.

Peshitta says:

"And you also by a like figure are made alive by baptism not when you wash your bodies from filth but when you CONFESS God with a pure conscience and by the resurrection of Yeshua the Messiah." 1 Peter 3:21 A.P. by Roth

Two big differences:

1. SAVES becomes MADE ALIVE

Etheridge and Murdock translate the same:

"And ye also, by a like figure, are made alive by baptism..."

The Aramaic root is from hayin - to live, to be quickened. This is not vague salvation language. This is resurrection language. It echoes Romans 6 exactly:

"For we are buried with him in immersion (baptism) to death; that as Yeshua the Messiah arose from the dead into the glory of his father, so also we, to walk in a new life." Rom 6:4 A.P.

2. ANSWER becomes CONFESS

The Syriac uses a word for confession - to openly declare, to praise, to acknowledge. Not a legal pledge. A heartfelt confession.

Peter uses Noah as the like figure - tupsa - pattern.

The waters brought death to the old world. The ark's occupants emerged alive on the other side. Baptism does the same.

Not magical water washing away physical dirt, but the confessional act of openly acknowledging God with a pure conscience, empowered by Christ's resurrection. We die to the old self in burial, confess faith from a good heart, and are made alive in union with the risen Lord.

This shift from saves to made alive feels more primitive, more apostolic. Life conquering death through confession and resurrection power, not ritual mechanics.

CONFESSION BEFORE BAPTISM

"...but when you CONFESS God with a pure conscience..."

First and foremost every believer MUST CONFESS that MAR-YAH IS YESHUA.

This confession opens your eyes to the fact that Yeshua is your Lord and the Temple of Yah your God and your judge.

The key aspects of this confession are:

1. Confess that MAR-YAH (Lord YAH) is become YESHUA

(a) That YAH was robed in flesh, clothed in a mortal body.

(b) That MAR-YAH is the Son of Yehowah, the word of Yehowah, the right hand of Yehowah, the extension of the power of Yehowah unto the earth.

2. Confess that YAH the Son willingly offered up His body in sacrifice and had the power to take His body back.
3. Confess that His body was laid in the tomb three days and three nights while MAR-YAH was in Sheol preaching to spirits confined there. And that YAH YESHUA ascended from Sheol and from the tomb with the keys of death and hell.

Afterwards MAR-YAH YESHUA ascended into the heavens and is seated upon the throne of God shining forth as the Sun.

4. Confess that all these things happened as a result of the command of Yehowah. Thus by the commandment of Yehowah the accusations of the enemy against the believer are put to silence. Col 2:14-15
5. Confess all of one's sins, faults, failures and shortcomings unto MAR-YAH YESHUA while falling upon the name of Yeshua as upon an altar of mercy and grace.

There is a distinction between BEING CALLED BY THE NAME and CALLING ON THE NAME.

The new convert calls upon the name of MAR-YAH YESHUA while making profession of faith. 1 Tim 3:12, Heb 10:23

Then the Minister calls the name of OUR LORD YAH YESHUA THE MESSIAH - MARANA-YAH YESHUA MASHIYCHA - as they dunk the convert under water so that believer can become CLOTHED with the name. Gal 3:27

Then once the convert comes up out of the water they will praise YAH YESHUA by shouting HALLELU-YAH YESHUA. For the new convert is born again in the midst of praise!

And it is written:

"And now why do you delay? rise up and be baptized and be cleansed from your sins while you CALL ON HIS NAME." Acts 22:16 A.P.

If you understand this, you see baptism is not ritual magic. It is the outward sign of an inward reality - openly confessing God with a good conscience, made possible through Christ's resurrection.

Part 3 next: The Wedding Garment - Why the Name Matters at the Marriage Supper.

see part 3

https://remnantstudies.blogspot.com/2026/10/wedding-garments-part-3-of-3-belieffaith.html

part 1

https://remnantstudies.blogspot.com/2026/10/belief-and-faith-apostolic_02009368442.html

part 4https://remnantstudies.blogspot.com/2026/10/embryonic-faith-part-4-of-4-belief-and.html