Who Are The Authorities And Powers That Submitted To Jesus?

[Bernard Gui]

1 Peter 3:21 (New English Bible)

"Baptism is not the washing away of bodily pollution, but the appeal

made to God by a good conscience; and it brings salvation through

the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who entered heaven after receiving

the submission of angelic authorites and powers, and is now at the

right hand of God."

A number of questions come to my mind...

Who or what are the angelic authorities and powers that submitted

to Jesus before he entered heaven?

Why is this attached to a verse that discusses baptism?

Does this verse not declare the necessity of baptism for salvation?

Bernard

[BCSpace]

An interesting combination of vs 21 and 22 (KJV).

Does this verse not declare the necessity of baptism for salvation?

It does indeed. But I'll leave off for those who are users of the NEB.

[rameumptom]

1 Peter 3:21 (New English Bible)

"Baptism is not the washing away of bodily pollution, but the appeal

made to God by a good conscience; and it brings salvation through

the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who entered heaven after receiving

the submission of angelic authorites and powers, and is now at the

right hand of God."

A number of questions come to my mind...

Who or what are the angelic authorities and powers that submitted

to Jesus before he entered heaven?

Why is this attached to a verse that discusses baptism?

Does this verse not declare the necessity of baptism for salvation?

Bernard

The angelic authorities for LDS are twofold: First, we have the belief that there are guardians or sentinels that must be passed by to enter into heaven. Brigham Young taught that the temple ordinances (which include baptism for the dead - tying into 1 Peter 3:18-22) prepare us to pass by the sentinels that guard heaven, giving them the key tokens (such as baptism) for entrance.

The second key to angelic authorities is that heaven does have levels of power and authority. Many Christians believe in the Archangels: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Metatron, etc. In fact, Gabriel appeared to Mary, and Jude mentions Michael. All of these have powers. Joseph Smith learned that different angelic figures (resurrected mortals) held "keys" of power. So, in D&C 110, we see Moses restoring the key to the return of Israel to Joseph Smith; Elijah restoring the sealing powers; etc. Previously, John the Baptist gave him the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood, which included baptism; and the apostles Peter, James and John gave Joseph the Melchizedek Priesthood, which includes the laying on of hands for the Holy Ghost, and other spiritual powers. All of these powers are subordinate to the power that Jesus Christ holds, as he holds all powers, authorities, dominions through being the First born Son, and Messiah.

[Bernard Gui]

The angelic authorities for LDS are twofold: First, we have the belief that there are guardians or sentinels that must be passed by to enter into heaven. Brigham Young taught that the temple ordinances (which include baptism for the dead - tying into 1 Peter 3:18-22) prepare us to pass by the sentinels that guard heaven, giving them the key tokens (such as baptism) for entrance.

The second key to angelic authorities is that heaven does have levels of power and authority. Many Christians believe in the Archangels: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Metatron, etc. In fact, Gabriel appeared to Mary, and Jude mentions Michael. All of these have powers. Joseph Smith learned that different angelic figures (resurrected mortals) held "keys" of power. So, in D&C 110, we see Moses restoring the key to the return of Israel to Joseph Smith; Elijah restoring the sealing powers; etc. Previously, John the Baptist gave him the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood, which included baptism; and the apostles Peter, James and John gave Joseph the Melchizedek Priesthood, which includes the laying on of hands for the Holy Ghost, and other spiritual powers. All of these powers are subordinate to the power that Jesus Christ holds, as he holds all powers, authorities, dominions through being the First born Son, and Messiah.

Thanks for the excellent comments! When I read this verse, I was reminded of some passages in the Nag Hammadi texts that I have studied. It seems to me that these angelic authorities and powers would have already submitted to him, since he was

the Firstborn of the Father and the chosen one from the beginning. Was there some condition that Jesus had to satisfy

during his ministry before they would submit to him?

Why do you think this is connected with baptism?

Bernard

[Nevo]

Who or what are the angelic authorities and powers that submitted

to Jesus before he entered heaven?

From Paul Achtemeier's commentary (sorry the Greek font is a bit wonky):

The superhuman powers that have been subjugated to Christ are described in terms used in the NT for powers believed to affect human life. In Jewish thought such powers were believed to govern nations, and were the powers behind idolatry. Lists of two or more of such powers occur, apart from this verse, only in the Pauline tradition in the NT, pointing to some contact between our author and that tradition. Of the three classes named in this list, however, ἄγγελλοι and δύναμαι are combined only in Rom 8:3, 8, ἐξουσίαι and δύναμαι in 1 Cor 15:24 and Eph 1:21, while the combination of ἄγγελλοι and ἐξουσίαι occurs only in this verse. That would point to broad acquaintance with such Pauline tradition, rather than dependence on any specific document for this material. The three classes in this list are probably meant as exemplary of all such powers who have now found their master in the risen and exalted Christ, and in this context are surely to be regarded as hostile to God and to his creation. There would be no point in mentioning the subjugation of superhuman powers that already served God willingly.



The readers of the letter are thus assured that the evil powers still rampant in their world, motivating the suppression of the Christian community, have been robbed of their ultimate power through Christâ??s resurrection and his assumption of divine authority, an authority that will soon become visible with Godâ??s final judgment.

-- Paul J. Achtemeier, 1 Peter: A Commentary on First Peter (Hermeneia; Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1996), 274.

[Zakuska]

Perhaps these powers we are speaking of are better known by the names Death and Hell. Did he not descend into the pit and conquer the leviathan?

I think its the very symbology of Baptism. Many can decend into the waters and die... but only he can bring you up out of the waters on his wings of healing.

[Bernard Gui]

From Paul Achtemeier's commentary (sorry the Greek font is a bit wonky):

The three classes in this list are probably meant as exemplary of all such powers? who have now found their master in the risen and exalted Christ,?? and in this context are surely to be regarded as hostile to God and to his creation.??

Thanks for the reference. I gather that Paul's use of the words was in line

with Jewish tradition and Peter was reflecting some familiarity with Paul's

work?

Is anyone aware of a Christian interpretation of the angels, authorities,

and powers that submitted to Christ when he entered heaven?

I'm a bit perplexed that this is thrown into a discussion on the efficacy

of baptism. Any thoughts?

Bernard

[Doctor Steuss]

Is anyone aware of a Christian interpretation of the angels, authorities,

and powers that submitted to Christ when he entered heaven?

This is from David Guzik's Study Guide for 1 Peter 3 (emphasis in original):

c. Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God: We see the completeness of Jesusâ?? work by His exaltation to the right hand of God the Father, and the subjection of all created spirits unto Him (angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him). So though Jesus suffered for doing good, He had the ultimate triumph. The example of Jesus proves Peterâ??s point in 1 Peter 3:9: when we suffer for doing good, we will inherit a blessing.

It appears that the "mainstream" Christian interpretation is more-or-less that the verse is just showing the primacy of Christ and isn't necessarily speaking of any specific "angels, authorities, and powers."

Edited to add:

Old thread on 1 Peter 3: 21ish: Here