Ark builders: 1 Peter 3:18ff

Clarification of 1 Peter 3:18-22 and Noah’s Reference[i] 

An old idea of baptism, entering “In Christ,” and boat building: Imagine God speaking to Noah, instructing him to build an ark—a monumental, lifelong labor destined to result in salvation for the innocent creation and all in his household, as well as anyone else who would board. Noah, driven by faith and obedience, dedicates his life to this divine mission, constructing the ark amidst the ridicule and disbelief of his neighbors. As the storm clouds gather and the rains begin, Noah stands at the entrance of the ark, hopeful and watchful, ready to welcome not only the animals but also any person willing to enter this sanctuary. Similarly, our local gatherings serve as open doors into Christ's Ark, providing a haven for all who believe. This mini-society functions just like the household of God that will be revealed with his return. With this imagery in mind, let's explore key points that highlight the communal and transformative nature of our faith. 

The Noah Reference in Context Peter refers to Noah in 1 Peter 3:18-22 to highlight a central theme of his letter. He addresses scattered believers, both Jews and Gentiles, encouraging them to resist isolation and individualism, which makes them vulnerable to the shifting winds of worldly philosophies. 

Peter’s Message Peter encourages these believers, even in their state of exile, to rise and rebuild God’s "temple" (the place of God's dwelling) locally. Wherever they gather as a priesthood among the nations, they form a household of faith. This rebuilding is not just about physical structures but about creating a spiritual community. 

Purpose of the Reference a present hope The purpose of re-establishing this household of God is to provide a refuge for others amidst life’s chaos. Just as Noah’s household offered an Ark as a refuge through the flood, Peter envisions this community as a micro-society, living with Christ in the present and enduring through future storms into the renewed heaven and earth under Christ’s reign. 

Difficult to Understand References Peter's writings include references and details from the ancient world that may be challenging for modern readers. However, the core message is clear. Using Noah’s story, Peter illustrates how the wicked world in Noah’s time parallels the decadent surroundings in Asia Minor. Noah’s life work and household of faith provided a doorway for anyone to enter the ark, which offered passage through the impending flood. Peter, writing under divine inspiration, needs to be read with respect, and historical context can help clarify mysterious references 

(Footnotes [i] [ii]) 

Main points: These clarifications emphasize the communal and dynamic aspects of faith, showing how our local gatherings can serve as entry points into the larger body of Christ and His mission in the world. 

1. The All-Sufficient Work of Christ: Christ is the builder of the Ark, which signifies His complete and finished work of salvation. This truth means that our communities serve as open doors into His Ark, welcoming others into the safety and salvation that Christ provides.
2. Our Community as a Mini-Ark: Christ does not dwell in a single physical temple; rather, He resides among His gathered and scattered people, who are like living stones forming many “temple-like” gatherings. As a community, we act like priests ministering among our members, embodying God's presence as a counter culture to the surrounding community.
3. Peter’s Reference to Noah: By referencing Noah, Peter highlights the significance of collective faith and the role of believers in creating a sanctuary for others. This sanctuary allows people to experience being "in Christ," much like Noah's Ark provided safety and salvation among the waves.
4. Constant Community Presence: This communal presence is not limited to specific times set apart for gathering. It is a phenomenon that can manifest wherever two or three are gathered in Christ's name, reflecting the continuous and dynamic nature of God's kingdom.

 In summary: The local congregation is called to duplicate this -- ark/ temple/ tabernacle/ body/ micro-society/ church-- as the purpose for which it has been chosen by God. It is the embodiment of God’s plan for Abraham’s offspring to be a blessing among the nations. God’s continuous work of redemption and restoration, fueled by his body and blood, is our future hope, and the present hope of the world. 

Here are some questions These questions can help us reflect on our role in building a Christ-centered community and our commitment to God's mission. Some might resonate with you more than others. 

1. How might Noah have viewed his neighbors in three different stages of his life?
   • Before he began to build the ark.
   • While he was building the ark.
   • As he stood in the doorway, hoping to see more than just animals coming to the door.
2. Does viewing our surrounding friends, co-workers, and neighbors through Noah’s eyes build a sense of urgency in us?
3. How might seeing through Noah’s eyes help us view our friends who are "swimming" in worldly chaos?
4. Does this perspective revive a sense of importance and purpose in the local gathering of the saints?
5. How long was God’s patience in Noah’s day, and how long is His patience today?
6. Re-read 1 Peter. How does this illustration provide insight into Peter’s message to his readers?
7. Are we, in our daily lives, attentive to the Holy Spirit and willing to surrender our personal desires and dreams to align with God's will?
8. Do we allow ourselves to be transformed so that we prioritize being part of God’s plan and purpose for the world, joining the collective community of believers as essential and active participants?
9. This transformation involves idealizing our role in God’s mission rather than idolizing our ambitions for personal gain. Are we striving to reflect God's image through our actions and resources, rather than focusing on self-promotion and exclusive preservation?
10. Did Noah foresee his neighbors' worldly chaos "rising up" like the waters in which they would one day drown?
11. As well as one's involvement a local faith community, each sphere of our lives can be a little Ark for those involved. What does "ark building" look like in your different spheres?

  [i] (See FaithLife Study Bible notes for more on the mysterious reference www.Faithlife.com). [ii] https://bibleproject.com/classroom/noah-to-abraham/modules/2

Follow up from the writer:

Further thoughts after input from friends. It was intriguing to hear folks take the "Ark Building/Ark Builders" metaphor and run with it. At first, it sounds quite exciting. But then the conversation began to subtly move beyond the purpose (and meaning) for which Peter used the reference to Noah in the first place. 

The progression was something like this: 

Seeing the Value: Recognizing the importance of a concept in scripture that carries its meaning within the context of a story, such as the Ark. Extracting Principles: Looking for principles that can be pulled out of context from their illustrative purpose, leading to the idea that the ark can represent anything. Losing Context: Morphing these principles into a concept that has lost its original moorings, moving it out of the context in which Peter used it. 

Do you recognize this pattern from the Garden of Eden? 

Seeing Goodness: They saw that it was good. External Reasoning: They reasoned based on outside sources what was right in their own eyes. Taking Action: They took it and ate it, doing what was right in their own eyes. In doing so, they began to reflect the values of the serpent instead of YHWH.   

Caution with the Word: We need to maintain the authority of the word, rather than usurping one's own authority over it by using the word to suit our lifestyles. The temptation is to pull the illustration from its original meaning within scripture and paddle the boat further away from the context in which Peter was using it. In doing so, one is creating a new meaning for an old story. So, for the purpose of Peter’s intended meaning, we need to consider not pulling an ark into our own world, rather gather our household and enter the ark through the door into Peter’s world. 

Ways we untie the boat from its context and significance: 

The Boat as a Manifestation of Esoteric Truths: The ark built by Noah is not merely an esoteric concept but a tangible manifestation of deeper spiritual truths. It represents God's provision and salvation in a concrete form, demonstrating how divine principles can be realized in the physical world. There are other passages that focus on one speaking truth to their own soul, but this is not one of those texts to be individualized. 

Virtual Communities do not fit Peter’s points: While online communities can be valuable tools for connection and support one another, like the “Universal” church, they cannot replace the physical, local gathering of believers. Our local gatherings serve as mini-arks, providing a tangible, communal experience of faith that virtual interactions alone cannot fully replicate. These arks impact the social issues and woes of our society. 

God's Voice as the Guiding Hand: The most crucial aspect is that God's voice and word were the initiators and guiding forces in directing Noah's life work. This was not open to Noah's personal interpretation or what he thought best. Similarly, our efforts to build and maintain our communities must be rooted in and guided by God's word. This raises the important question of how we discern God's voice today and how we corporately and objectively compare our "ark" to His word preserved for us through the Bible. What are the sources that shape our thinking? Filter bubbles, AI, gossip, bad self-talk?  Have you learned to tune into the still quiet voice of God's Wisdom that sings over new creation?