"Long Shadows Cast By Distant Realities: Baptism Saves Us"

A real object can cast a shadow. The shadow is not the reality. But it is evidence of the existence of the reality. Likewise, Biblical truths under the New Testament are the reality. These realities cast long shadows back into the OT era (cf. Heb 10:1). Another way of looking at this phenomenon is biblical typology. An OT type was merely the "figure" (shadow) pointing to the coming NT reality, the "antitype." 1 Peter 3:18-21 demonstrates that water baptism is a necessary element in the plan of salvation. In fact, it can be said to "now save us" (v. 21). Noah's household was "saved by [through] water" (v. 20). This salvation of Noah was the type (or shadow) corresponding to the present antitype (or reality) of our salvation via water baptism.