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Jarrod Jacob: “Christ Did Not Send Me To Baptize”

“For Christ did not send me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel” (I Cor. 1:17). This passage is used by some to teach that baptism is not necessary for salvation. Is this what Paul was saying? At first glance, I Corinthians 1:17 seems to be in contradiction with such passages as Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, and I Peter 3:21. Yet, this is not the case. No Bible verse contradicts any other Bible verse. Knowing that Satan himself (mis)quoted Scripture at times (Matt. 4:1-11), it should not be surprising to see those in religious error doing the same thing. Let us study this passage and learn what Paul was saying. When we do this, we will learn that this verse is NOT in contradiction with passages such as Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, and others, but is in harmony with them.

    When studying I Corinthians 1:17, we must understand that Paul’s point was that his main work focused on preaching the gospel. Yes, he baptized folks, but his main work was preaching so as to get folks convinced that they needed to be baptized (Mk. 16:15). The actual act of baptism did not have to be performed by him in order to be valid! For this phrase to mean anything else makes Paul a liar! In this chapter, he already said he had baptized Crispus, Gaius, the household of Stephanus, and others that he couldn’t remember (v. 14-16). Paul also spent much ink writing about the necessity of baptism. Before that, he had been baptized for the remission of sins, himself (Acts 9:17-18, 22:16, 16:14-15, 30-34; Rom. 6:3-6; Col. 2:12; Gal. 3:26-27; etc.)! Therefore, he can’t be saying that baptism is not necessary, for he baptized people at Corinth, and in other places!

    In considering the context of this passage, please read I Corinthians 1:11-18. Space constraints forbid reprinting it here, but please read it on your own. Upon reading, we see that some were taking the names of the men who had baptized them. When Paul asked who was crucified for them, and in whose name (by whose authority) they were baptized, he was trying to focus their attention on Christ our Lord. He was not condemning baptism, or saying it was not necessary, but reminding them that their focus and allegiance was to be on Christ and not on men. When we understand this, we see why Paul “thanked God” that he had not baptized any more than he did. The ones he baptized had a proper understanding on this subject, while the others did not. Thus, the need for correction in I Corinthians 1.

    Paul never taught that baptism was not necessary for salvation. He submitted to baptism in Acts 9, and taught that it was a necessity for man’s salvation (Col. 2:12-13; Rom. 6:16-18; etc.)!  Let us not accept the words of men on this, or any other Bible subject. Rather, let us listen to the words of Scripture (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:16). Let us then be ready and willing to obey what the Lord has said, even when it contradicts what man thinks (Rom. 3:4a; Acts 5:29; Matt. 10:34-37). I Corinthians 1:17 is not a difficult passage when we examine it in light of its context.

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167

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