Beech Tree News Network

"For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel” (I Cor. 1:17). This passage is misused by those who teach that baptism is not necessary for salvation. This verse can be confusing if we listen to men’s “twist” (II Pet. 3:16) and do not handle it “accurately” (II Tim. 2:15). At first glance, it seems to be in contradiction with such passages as Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, and I Peter 3:21, but this is not the case.

    Knowing that Satan himself misquoted Scripture at times (Matt. 4:1-11), it should not be surprising to see men in religious error doing the same thing. When we study this passage and learn what Paul was saying; we will learn that I Corinthians 1:17 is NOT in contradiction with passages such as Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, I Peter 3:21, and others, but is in harmony with them.

    First of all, I Corinthians 1:17 is an elliptical sentence. Paul was literally saying, “For Christ did not (only) send me to baptize but (also) to preach the gospel.” For this phrase to mean anything else makes Paul a liar! He had already baptized Crispus, Gaius, the household of Stephanus, and others that he couldn’t remember (I Cor. 1:14-16.) Therefore, he can’t be saying that he was sent to preach and NOT sent to baptize, for clearly he did both (See also: Gal. 3:26-27). Paul not only baptized others, but also spent much ink writing about the necessity of baptism. Before that, he had submitted to baptism 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.)!

    To know the context of this passage, please read I Corinthians 1:11-17. The point in this text is that some were taking the names of the men who had baptized them (pure denominationalism!). Thus, some said they were “of Paul” or “Apollos,” etc. 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 and not men. He was not saying baptism 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 can see why Paul “thanked God” that he had not baptized any more than he did. Several people were taking men’s names, like folks often do today! Thus, he was glad he didn’t baptize any more than he did “so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name” (I Cor. 1:15).

    The truth is that Paul taught that baptism was necessary for salvation. In fact he submitted to baptism, himself!  Let us not be afraid of Satan’s arrows that he shoots at us in an attempt to get us to question such basic Bible truths as baptism (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:16). I Corinthians 1:17 is not a difficult passage to understand when we examine it in light of its grammar and context. I Corinthians 1:17 is not contradictory to such passages as Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, I Peter 3:21, etc. Let us respect what is said in this passage, and let us encourage folks to become Christians by being baptized into Christ, just as the apostle Paul did! Have you been baptized?

-- 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 on WLBQ 1570 AM at 8:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167