Even the very earth itself was Baptized in the mighty flood. The Baptism of the earth, to wash away its sins, was a literal representation of the Baptism of all penitent believers to wash away their sins. As Noah was saved by water in the Ark, so are penitent believers saved by Water Baptism in the kingdom of God. The Apostle Peter, when speaking of Noah's ark, very appropriately expressed himself by saying, "The long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved by Water. The like figure whereunto even Baptism doth also now save us." (1 Peter iii. 20, 21.)