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NASB | 1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me [as an apostle] to baptize, but [commissioned and empowered me] to preach the good news [of salvation]--not with clever and eloquent speech [as an orator], so that the cross of Christ would not be made ineffective [deprived of its saving power]. |
Bible Question:
Greetings Forum! I have noticed a proliferation of questions concerning baptismal regeneration lately. I have a question which no one from the baptismal regeneration camp has answered as of yet. Rather than posting my question to a particular person's post, I thought I would ask it as an open question so that anyone can reply. My question is simply this: If baptism is essential to salvation why: a) Did Paul say, "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." - 1 Cor. 1:17. And, b) Didn't Jesus baptize anyone - "although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples." - (Joh 4:2) It seems to me that if baptism were essential to one's salvation that Paul would not have been able to say that Christ did not send Him to baptize. Further, it does not seem likely that Jesus would never baptize if baptism were essential to salation. Just curious! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
Bible Answer: Hello Tim, This commentary is from Blue Letter Bible, which articualtes much better than I can explain; 1Corinthians 1:14-17, Paul is grateful he did not happen to baptize more in Corinth and thereby add more fuel to the partisan debate a. For Paul, preaching was more importnt than baptizing, though not opposed to it. b. "While therefore it is unscriptual to make baptism essential to salvation or a certain means of regeneration, it is nevertheless a dangerous act of disobedience to undervalue or neglect it." (Hodge) c. How did Paul preach? Not with the wisdon of words ("cleverness of speaking) d. Paul came speaking plainly, without any attempt to dazzle with eloquence or intellect; this may have been a change of his previous approach in Atherns (Acts 17:16-34 i. It's had to say if Paul was disappointed with the results in Athens or not. ii. Remember also that Paul was in Athens a day or two; he stayed in Corinth for a year and a half. Jesus baptized in the Holy spirit. |