Friday Bible Study. October 23, 2015.
Subject: How about 1 Cor. 1:17?
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel…
A. Does this verse prove salvation before water baptism?
According to what I know, Christ Religion (denomination) people think so and teach so!
1. If so, then Paul was preaching against his own witness in Acts 22:16!
For there, he said baptism is to wash away his sins!
Salvation before baptism, then this means salvation before sins were washed away!
2. Then Paul was preaching a gospel different from the one preached by Peter in Acts 2:38!
In Acts 2:38 Peter said to those who believed Jesus: Repent and be baptized, every one of you,
in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins... Acts 2:38
3. Then either Peter or Paul, one of them was to be condemned! Gal.1:8
4. Then Paul was preaching a gospel against Jesus' command in Mark 16:16!
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
5. Paul said baptism was the gospel! 1 Cor.15:3-4, Ro.6:3-4
B. Why then Paul said Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel? 1 Cor.1:17
1. 1 Cor.1:13 says: Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?
Were you baptized into the name of Paul? Christ cannot be divided. Paul did not crucify for you.
You were not baptized into the name of Paul.
No one can say that you were baptized into my name. 1 Cor. 1:15
Therefore, you do not belong to Paul.
Christ cannot be divided. Christ crucified for you.
You were baptized into Christ's name. You belong to Christ.
2. Apollos did not crucify for you.
You were not baptized into the name of Apollos.
You do not belong to Apollos. Christ crucified for you.
You were baptized into Christ's name. You belong to Christ.
3. Peter did not crucify for you.
You were not baptized into the name of Peter.
You do not belong to Peter. Christ crucified for you.
You were baptized into Christ's name. You belong to Christ.
C. What was Paul dealing with in 1 Corinthians chapter 1 to chapter 3?
1. The problem Paul was dealing with was divisions in the church!
2. How did they try to divide the church!
By saying, I belong to Peter, Paul, Apollos, Christ!
3. How did they classify to whom each belong?
By who taught them and baptized them?
4. Peter taught me and baptized me, Paul taught me and baptized me…
D. Conclusion:
1. Baptism had become a symbol of to whom you belong!
2. Baptism in preaching of the gospel was in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins!
3. Now, do you know why Paul said:
Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel?
If you understand, you are forever blessed.
If you do not, it is normal, Christ Religion people collectively do not understand for 1500 years!
You must be one of these people Jesus described in Matt.13:10-15!
May the Lord bless you and keep you always!