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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]. |
Subject: Why Didn't Paul and Jesus Baptize? |
Bible Note: Greetings Ray! I wasn't sure where the poster was going with his question, so I deliberately left it a little vague! :) It is my understanding that Eph. 4:5 refers to water baptism. It is true that all are baptized with only one baptism - water in the name of Christ. However, Scripture (as I think you alluded to) also speaks of a baptism done by the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:2-3) This is not water baptism, and I don't believe that it is view in Eph. 4:5. The 1 Cor. 12:2-3 baptism is a supernatural work done by the Holy Spirit when He places a believer into the Body of Christ. This is also the baptism (even though the word 'baptism' does not occur) which I think is being discussed in John 3:5-6. I don't accept that John 3 is discussing a contrast between water baptism and Spirit baptism. I see it as a contrast between physical (water breaking) birth and spiritual birth (new birth). The word baptism does not occur anywhere in the passage, and John 3:6 contrasts flesh and spirit, not water and spirit. So, I believe that the contrast in John 3:6 relates to those who have only been 'born' and those who have been 'born from above' (which is actually the word translated as 'born again'). Of course, to further complicate things, some would say that there is a baptism 'with' the Holy Spirit subsequent to salvation as well. But, I won't start that whole discussion! The only place I would differ from you capitalization is that I would probably capitalize the first 'Spirit' in John 3:6, since I would see the source of this new birth as being the Holy Spirit. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |