1 Peter 3:19-22

Verse 19,20 contain one of the most enigmatic statements in the Bible. There are several explanations that have been advanced. These include:

• This refers to Christ going to Hades between His death and resurrection to preach to people who died at the flood and give them a second chance. There is no Scriptual support for this view.
• Christ went to hell to proclaim His victory to the imprisoned fallen angels. However, the context seems to be referring to men rather than angels.

There are others. All these ones seem to be fixated on the view that "in that state" refers to Christ's state between death and resurrection. The best view seems to be that "in that state" is referring to the risen Christ. Peter is the using the time of Noah as an example. Noah patiently went about doing what God had commanded him to do, but the rest of humanity refused to listen. The risen Christ is the ultimate proof that Noah was right. This does seem to fit the context much better. Also, we have a bad habit of think "in the spirit" is opposed to our physical existence. This is not so. The complete human being is a physical being whose life is motivated by the Spirit. When we are raised to new life we will have physical bodies.

In Noah's day only a few were saved, so we should not be disheartened if not many believe. For we have been cleanses of our guilt. We have been baptised into Christ's death and resurrection, we share in His victory. And our saviour is seated at the right hand of God,with everything else is submission to Him.