1:14-17 Does this mean that Paul did not deem baptism to be integral to the Gospel message?
1:14-17 Does this mean that Paul did not deem baptism to be integral to the Gospel message?
<td>No! Paul is not minimising the importance of baptism here. Baptism is an integral part of the gospel message, as scriptures clearly teach (CP Mt 28:19; Mk 16:16; Ac 2:37-41; 8:12,35-38; 9:17-18; 10:44-48; 16:14-15; 18:8; 19:1-5). In 1Cor 1:14-17 Paul was simply stressing the fact that God ordained him to preach the gospel for salvation, not baptise new converts as well. Jesus also did not baptise new converts (CP Jn 4:1-2).
It is the gospel that saves not baptism (CP Ro 1:16; 10:17; 1Cor 1:21; 4:15; 15:1-2; Jas 1:18, 21; 1Pe 1:23-25).
Baptism signifies that one is saved (CP 1Pe 3:18-21). Paul merely said what he did about baptism because the Corinthian church was being split by factions arguing over their preference of spiritual leaders, and Paul did not intend to baptise a faction around himself (CP 1Cor 1:10-17).
This is also a lesson for the contemporary Church:
Christians must always centre their loyalty, love and devotion upon God and His word, not on individual leaders. No individual leader is to be the focus of Christian fellowship, otherwise the cross of Christ is made void - it cannot accomplish its purpose.
(See also comments on Mt 16:13-18(A), 16:19; 1Cor 3:8-10 and 3:18-20, and author's study Jesus not Peter the Rock upon which the Church is Built in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 2)).