Christ Did Not Send Me to Baptize?

Jehoram · #1 03-11-2008, 09:00 AM

What is the meaning of this passage?

Why did Paul say that Christ had not sent him to baptize? In verse 17, Is Paul separating baptism from "the Gospel?" What is your interpretation?

10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."
13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? 14 I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 So no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 16(Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

MissBrattified · #2 03-11-2008, 09:03 AM

I don't know. LOL! But I don't think it means that baptism isn't important or necessary. I think Paul was making some other point. I'm just not sure what it was.

Jehoram · #3 03-11-2008, 09:05 AM

"For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel"

Is Paul separating baptism from the gospel?

Jehoram · #4 03-11-2008, 09:12 AM

Were Apollos, Paul, and Cephas baptizing people in their own name?

Quote:

11 My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."
13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? 14 I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 So no one can say that you were baptized into my name.

Why did Paul neglect baptism?

SDG · #5 03-11-2008, 09:12 AM

Baptism is a proper response to the Gospel. It is not the Gospel.

rgcraig · #6 03-11-2008, 09:12 AM

I think it's pretty easy -he's telling them it's not WHO baptizes you, but who's NAME you are baptized with. So, him saying I didn't come to baptize you in Paul's name, but to preach the gospel is simple.......it's not about him, but - - repent, be baptized in Jesus' name.

SDG · #7 03-11-2008, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alter Ego

Were Apollos, Paul, and Cephas baptizing people in their own name?

11 My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."
13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? 14 I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 So no one can say that you were baptized into my name.

Why did Paul neglect baptism?

I don't think he neglected baptism. He baptized the jailer the same night he believed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ ...

but he did not teach baptismal regeneration nor did the other apostles.

rgcraig · #8 03-11-2008, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alter Ego

Were Apollos, Paul, and Cephas baptizing people in their own name?

Why did Paul neglect baptism?

No, but the people were saying they were baptized by Paul, Apollos & Cephas.

Jehoram · #9 03-11-2008, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

Baptism is a proper response to the Gospel. It is not the Gospel.

But other than the house of Stephanas and two other men, he never baptized anyone else...why?

Why didn't Paul baptize?

There were many situations where it was just Paul and a crowd of unbelievers. There weren't any other believers around to help him baptize. Why, after preaching the gospel, were there no baptismal candidates?

SDG · #10 03-11-2008, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgcraig

No, but the people were saying they were baptized by Paul, Apollos & Cephas.

That's because in Jewish ritual baptisms one was baptized by the authority of the given teacher they were following ...

Some sectarians were now claiming to be disciples of Paul ... Apollos and Cephas ... Paul was simply reminding them under whose authority and power they had been baptized under.

In baptism we publicly declare to be His disciples.