Friday Bible Study. March 6, 2015. Subject: How about 1 Cor. 1:17?
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel…
A. Christian religion people think this clearly proves salvation before water baptism.
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!
If salvation of the soul is before water baptism, then salvation is before sins were washed away!
2. To this they think the baptism in Acts 22:16 was not being baptized in water!
It was Holy Spirit baptism! They said!
3. They also think the baptism in Acts 2:38 was not being baptized in water!
It was Holy Spirit baptism! They said!
B. Apostle Paul’s preaching and personal witness. Acts 16:30-34, 22:3-16.
1. Acts 16:30-34.
a. The Philippians jailer asked: What must I do to be saved? Acts 16:30
b. Paul’s answer: Believe in the Lord and you will be saved, you and your family. Acts 16:31
c. Paul preach to the jailer and his family the word of the Lord. Acts 16:32
d. The jailer and his family were baptized at the hour of the night. Acts 16:33
e. The jailer invited Paul and his preaching team to his house to eat. Acts 16:34
The family were all very happy, because they had believed in God. Acts 16:34
2. Acts 8:35-38
a. Philip preached Jesus to the Ethiopian treasure! Acts 8:35
b. When they came to some water, the listener saw water and asked to be baptized.
c. Philip, the preacher asked him: Do you believe with all your heart that Jesus is the Son of God?
He confessed: Yes, I believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Christ!
d. They both went down into water and Philip baptized him! Acts 8:38
C. Galatians 1:8
If we or an angel from God preached to you a gospel other than the one we preached to you.
1. Peter, Paul and Philip or anyone, even an angel from God, they all have to preach the same gospel!
2. Jesus’ command is simple and clear! Mark 16:15-16
Go preach the gospel to all creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved!
He who believe not will be condemned!
3. Do not associate anyone who do not preach the same teaching! 2 John 1:9-11
4. Philip’s preaching end at water baptism. Peter and Paul’s preaching were end at baptism too!
Logically, this proves all baptism at the end of preaching Jesus must be water baptism!
D. In fact in 1 Cor.15:3-4
1. Paul said, baptism is everything in the saving of the soul!
2. Without water baptism salvation of the soul is not complete!
3. Study 1 Cor.15:3-4 and Ro.6:3-4 together and you will know!
E. Conclusion: Why did Paul wrote 1 Cor.1:17?
Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel. 1 Cor.1:17
1. We must know 1 Corinthians chapter 1 to chapter 3 was about denominations in the church!
Church of Peter, church of Paul, church of Apollos and church of Christ.
2. It was divided by who taught them and who baptized them!
3. It was in these context, Paul wrote:
1. In the context all the way to 1 Cor.3:23 we know Paul was dealing about denominations in the church!
1. To those who wanted to be denomination of Paulà
Paul asked these questionsà 1 Cor.1:13
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?
Christ crucified for you. You were baptized into the name of Christ!
2. To those wanted to be denomination of Peterà
Paul asked these same questionsà
Is Christ divided? Was Peter crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Peter?
3. It was in this context, Paul wrote: Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel.
P.S.
How did they all preach the gospel?
1. Peter preached the gospel concluded with baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness
of sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit! Acts 2:36-38
2. Paul preached the gospel concluded with baptized the jailer and his family. Acts 16:30-33
3. Philip preached the gospel concluded with baptized the eunuch. Acts 8:35-38
4. Peter preached the gospel to Cornelius and his family concluded with baptized them with water!
As Jesus’ commandà Go preach the gospel to all creation. Mark 16:15-16
He who believes and is baptized shall be saved. He who believe not shall be condemned!
Why then Paul wroteà Christ did not send me to baptized but to preach the gospel?
Preach the gospel include water baptism! Baptism is the finished part of preach the gospel!
Here in 1 Cor.1:17 Paul was talking about to baptize in the name of Peter, Paul and Apollos…!