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“Why did Paul say that the Lord did not send him to baptize, but to preach the Gospel ?”. 1Corinthians 1:17. We must take into account the context. For which Paul is addressing, leading up to that verse.
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“Why did Paul say that the Lord did not send him to baptize, but to preach the Gospel?” 1Corinthians 1:17
We must take into account the context... • For which Paul is addressing, leading up to that verse. • It also might serve us well to look at what happened when Paul went to Corinth and to consider the context of his preaching then, Acts 18:1-8
In This Study… • Let us take a closer look at the context in which Paul's statement is found, and see that if indeed the text implies that baptism is non-essential.
Paul was addressing… • Trouble among the brethren at Corinth… • Their attitude toward preachers • In connection to who baptized them… • The reason why Paul wrote that he was glad he baptized few... • Thankful that he baptized only Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanas • In case any would say that he was baptizing in his own name - 1Corinthians 1:14-15
Paul's preaching resulted in baptisms – Acts 18:1-8 • Consider Paul's work at Corinth during his 2nd missionary journey • Luke records how people responded to the preaching of Paul • Even though Paul spoke of baptizing only few personally; his preaching resulted in many baptisms!
Let us revisit 1Corinthians 1:13 • Paul's words actually reveal the necessity of baptism • Consider Paul's reasoning... • For one to be “of Christ”, two things are necessary... • Christ would have to die for them (which He did) • The person would have to be baptized in the name of Christ
"For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel..." • Paul was emphasizing his role as an apostle • Paul was sent to preach, not baptize… • Compare Paul’s reasoning with the words of Jesus in John 6:27
In Conclusion… • Many were baptized in Corinth as a result of Paul's preaching - Acts 18:8 • Paul was thankful he didn’t personally baptize many of them, because of the problem that came about later on - 1Corinthians 1:14-15
In Conclusion… • Baptism played a significant role in Paul’s preaching. Let us not twist his admonition to the church in Corinth to imply that it was not necessary.