SENT NOT TO BAPTIZE 1CORINTHIANS 1:10-17

SENT NOT TO BAPTIZE 1CORINTHIANS 1:10-17

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. 1 Corinthians 1:17 (NASB95) THE QUESTION IN 1COR 1 Another argument that is occasionally employed is Paul’s statement in 1Cor 1:17 “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel…” The argument is made that since Paul was not sent to baptize to do so would make the cross of Christ void (of none effect) Does water baptism for the forgiveness of sins deny the gospel and make the cross void?

UNITE IN CHRIST The wholeness of Christ The cross of Christ Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 1 Corinthians 1:13 (NASB95) The wholeness of Christ The cross of Christ The lordship of Christ 1Cor 1:10-17 is a section dealing with the need for the christians in Corinth to put their divisions behind them and work together for the cause of Christ In this section Paul offers at least three reasons for them to be united The wholeness of Christ, the cross of Christ and the Lordship of Christ (vs. 13) Division destroys the effect of the Gospel

Harmonizing the Text If baptism voids the cross… Why did Paul baptize anyone? Why did Paul teach baptism? - 1Cor 12:12; Acts 19:1-5 Why did Jesus command baptism? - Matt 28:19 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 1 Corinthians 1:16 (NASB95) ELIMINATING THE CONTRADICTION The law of harmony must be employed any time we encounter a difficult passage of scripture If baptism voids the cross… Why did Paul baptize anyone? Why did Paul teach baptism - 1Cor 12:12; Acts 19:1-5 Why did Jesus command baptism - Matt 28:19 Clearly there is something more to this text than a prohibition against baptism

Harmonizing the Text UNITED IN THE LORD “mending the nets” Mk 1:19 “equipping” Eph 4:12 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NASB95) THE LESSON IN THE CONTEXT Brethren should unite IN THE LORD - VS. 10-13 vs. 10 - “made complete” (NASB) “perfectly joined together” (KJV) “be united” ESV same word translated “mending the nets” in Mark 1:19 and “equipping” in Eph 4:12

Harmonizing the Text UNITED IN THE LORD “mending the nets” Mk 1:19 “equipping” Eph 4:12 “saying the same thing” (Stott) Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NASB95) The passage makes clear that work is needed in order that we might “agree” (literally say the same thing (Stott)),

Harmonizing the Text UNITED IN THE LORD “mending the nets” Mk 1:19 “equipping” Eph 4:12 “saying the same thing” (Stott) “the condition of being divided because of conflicting aims or objectives (BDAG) Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NASB95) avoid division (the condition of being divided because of conflicting aims or objectives…(BDAG)), and be united

Harmonizing the Text UNITED IN THE LORD Not through politics “engagement in rivalry, especially with reference to positions taken in a matter” (BDAG) For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. 1 Corinthians 1:11 (NASB95) Such unity can never be found through church politics, rather it is found IN THE LORD “quarrels among you” - “engagement in rivalry, esp with reference to positions taken in a matter” (BDAG) The picture is of a group in which defending Bro. so and so was more important than learning the truth and acting in righteousness

Harmonizing the Text UNITED IN THE LORD Not through politics “engagement in rivalry, especially with reference to positions taken in a matter” (BDAG) Not divided into parties Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 1 Corinthians 1:13 (NASB95) This becomes the epitome of politics When we “say the same thing” to be aligned with Bro. So&So we are no longer acting “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” The situation had devolved so far that they were dividing into parties following after men rather than seeking to understand the truth and live it out It is important to understand the figurative usage of the names in vs. 12. This is not denominationalism, rather it is a local church divided by its own members lifting one above another - 1Cor 4:6; 3:22; 11:18

Harmonizing the Text UNITED IN THE LORD The wholeness of Christ does not leave room for division The sacrifice of Christ does not leave room for division The Lordship of Christ does not leave room for division Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 1 Corinthians 1:13 (NASB95) Paul uses rhetorical questions in vs. 13 to point out the foolishness of their behavior The wholeness of Christ does not leave room for division The sacrifice of Christ does not leave room for division The Lordship of Christ does not leave room for division

“In the name of Jesus Christ” “In the name of Paul” All agree No divisions Same mind Same judgment Cross effective Contentions Divisions Cross made void HOW THE APOSTOLIC MISSION CREATES SUCH UNITY They acted in the name of Jesus Christ Notice that Jesus is referred to at least nine times in the first 10 verses vs. 10 - Paul’s exhortation was not given by his own authority but “by the name of Jesus Christ” He was grateful that no one there would claim to be baptized in his name

15 so that no one would say you were baptized in my name 15 so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. 16 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 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. 1 Corinthians 1:15–17 (NASB95) We see this in vs. 17 Paul emphasizes that he was not sent to baptize (in his name looking back to vs. 15) He was sent to preach the Gospel which emphasizes Jesus Not in cleverness of speech - emphasizing his own intellect The apostolic mission promoted unity among believers because it elevated Christ, was performed at Christ’s command and led people to obey Christ

15 so that no one would say you were baptized in my name 15 so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. 16 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 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. 1 Corinthians 1:15–17 (NASB95) We see this in vs. 17 Paul emphasizes that he was not sent to baptize (in his name looking back to vs. 15) He was sent to preach the Gospel which emphasizes Jesus Not in cleverness of speech - emphasizing his own intellect The apostolic mission promoted unity among believers because it elevated Christ, was performed at Christ’s command and led people to obey Christ

Baptism & the United Mind “by one spirit” means “by the instruction of the one spirit” - vs. 3; 1Cor 16:11; Matt 22:43,44; Rom 15:16 The instruction of the Spirit is the Gospel He inspired The One Spirit leads us to the One Body through the One Baptism For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13 (NASB95) BAPTISM IS A PRODUCT OF THIS MINDSET THE SPIRIT LEADS US TO ONE BODY 1Cor 12:1-13 - Paul confronts one of the many issues that the Corinthian church was divided over - spiritual gifts He notes the role of the Holy Spirit in the distribution of these gifts and shows that they should have been united by these gifts and their application in the body rather than divided. vs. 13 is of special interest to our conversation “for by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…” Notice it says “by one Spirit” not “in one Spirit” in most translations More importantly we see how the Apostle uses this phrase in verse 3 “no man speaking by the Spirit of God says, ‘Jesus is accursed’” No man instructed by the Holy Spirit would ever say such a thing c.f.Matt 22:43,44; 1Cor 6:11; Rom 15:16 So we see that “by the Holy Spirit” here means by the instruction of the Holy Spirit which would equate to the Gospel message The One Spirit leads us to the One body through the One baptism