Baptism as a Means of Grace

1 Peter 3:18-22

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he mightbring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which hewent and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, whenGod’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which afew, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, whichcorresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as anappeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who hasgone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powershaving been subjected to him.

(ESV)