Why did Paul say this? like this?
 

If baptism is one of the steps of the 3 step plan of salvation why did Christ not send Paul to do it?

1 Corinthians 1:14* ¶ I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15* Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
16* And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
17* ¶ For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Why would Paul be go glad that he baptized so few?

Why didn't he make it as important as many make it today?

Am I wrong, (shouldn't have asked that on AFF), but doesn't it seem strange how Paul talked so nonchalantly about baptism if it is in fact a part of a 3 step plan?

Been Thinkin

Re: Why did Paul say this? like this?
 

Because so many had attitudes and views that Paul didn't appreciate. He was using a figure of speech known as hyperbole. He wasn't saying that baptism was unimportant.

By taking something as important as baptism and saying, "I thank God..." he is emphasizing just how erroneous the attitudes of many of the Corithians had become.

I don't think he's being "nonchalant" here. He seems pretty ticked off.

Re: Why did Paul say this? like this?
 

Why did Christ not send him to baptize?

BT

Re: Why did Paul say this? like this?
 

I think he was saying that baptism alone, without faith or repentance, is useless.

Re: Why did Paul say this? like this?
 

Adam Clarke says:

Preparing these adult heathens for baptism by the continual preaching of the word was of much greater consequence than baptizing them when thus prepared to receive and profit by it.

:heeheehee

Re: Why did Paul say this? like this?
 

Some were saying that they were of Paul and others were saying that they were of Apollos. It seems that there was a hefty dose of "preacher religion" back in those days too. Paul was simply trying to disavow himself from being an object of adoration in that sense. I am proud of the fact that the venerable George L. Glass Sr. baptized me when I was still quite young after having received the Holy Ghost under a tent during a revival preached by W.E. Gamblin in 1947. Though I am happy for my heritage, many boast in their spiritual pedigree. Paul did not think that was important and could be deceptive.

Re: Why did Paul say this? like this?
 

And that is a very good point that you made and one that is very accurate. Paul was emphasising his displeasure with the people who were boasting in almost an atmosphere that they were more concerned with who they were attached to by baptism than who they should have been following by faith( Jesus) Paul's quote is definitely appreciated by pastors.

Re: Why did Paul say this? like this?
 

But your explanations are missing my point. If baptism was so important, ( and I believe it is important) as to be a heaven or hell issue, I think it would have been better for Paul not to have said the things he said. I wasn't sent to baptize sounds like it wasn't as important to Paul as present day Pentecostals have made it. He couldn't even remember how many he had baptized. Present day preachers keep a long list of how many got baptized in their revival. The churches post at the end of the year how many were baptized that year. That's good. But Paul didn't seem to place that much importance on it. Why? And yes, I heard some of your explanations, but they seemed rather flimsy to me! Just my opinion!

Someone said we need to keep "the main thing, the main thing", and it would seem to be that Paul was putting much more importance on the cross, than a 3 step plan of salvation, that he was not sent to do part of. To me the "main thing" was not a 3 step plan but the preaching of the cross!

What say you? And thanks for responding.

Been Thinkin

Re: Why did Paul say this? like this?
 

Not too much different today is it? Spiritual pride comes in many shapes and forms...all of which are quite deceptive.

One man says, I don't go to movies and watch television. Another man one ups him and says, "I don't do that either...besides that, I don't have long hair and the wife does." The first guy one ups him saying, "I don't wear short sleeves, wear a mustache." Not to be out done, the other one says, "My holiness is so great that I don't even drink coffee since I become convicted of it." Back and forth go the one-up-man-ship until the two guys fall out with each other calling each other a pharisee and full of spiritual pride, pledging not to be like the other guy.

:D

Spiritual pride is a funny thing but sooooo deceiving.

Re: Why did Paul say this? like this?
 

Right on,brother!