Return to studies in Corinthians
March 30, 2008 pm
Studies in Corinthians (3)
Who Did Paul Baptize?
1 Corinthians 1:14-17
We are continuing
our study of the book of 1 Corinthians.
In our last lesson we noted the importance of unity if we are to
resolve our problems. One of
the points Paul made was that we belong to Christ and should NOT make
our boast in men, such as who baptized us.
Paul concluded verse 13 by saying, “Or were you baptized in the
name of Paul?” Tonight we want to spend a few moments addressing baptism
and noting who Paul did baptize, especially in Corinth and why he
baptized (and did not baptize).
I.
Background of Paul in Corinth.
a.
Ac.
18:1-5, at the conclusion of his 2nd journey we find his
first visit where he meets Aquila and Priscilla.
After reasoning in the synagogue that Jesus was the Christ to the
Jews he was rejected and then turned to the Gentiles.
There were some who believed, for we are told in 18:8, “The
Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue believed on the Lord with all his
household. And many of the
Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.”
NOTE that MANY were baptized.
Vs. 11 tells us that Paul stayed there for 18 months teaching the word
of God among them. In fact
it seems that for a while he had support (at the least his right was
defended) from the Gentile community in his efforts.
b.
After he
leaves, we read about Apollos being corrected concerning errors he was
teaching. (18:24-28).
He then goes to Achaia (where Corinth is) and stays there for a
time (19:1). Our text seems to indicate that he gained respect.
c.
Paul will
come back to Corinth on his third journey (Acts 20:3) and correspond
with these brethren several times.
He had great impact upon them.
d.
We are
told in our text that Paul baptized Crispus, who was the ruler of the
synagogue, Gaius (whom we know little about) and the household of
Stephanas, which we also know little about.
Those were the only ones he could recall actually immersing in
Corinth.
e.
What was
the problem that led to our text?
Paul is calling for unity of these brethren.
It seems that they had put more emphasis on WHO baptized or
taught them than WHAT its purpose was.
Their “heritage” became a source of competition that divided them
rather than uniting them together as Christians.
That is what Paul has to deal with in this entire letter.
Let us NEVER become obsessed with a particular preacher, elder or
teacher and thereby neglect the truth.
NEVER forget that we are also mere servants.
Consider 1 Cor. 3:5.
f.
Paul was
NOT deemphasizing baptism!
II.
Was baptism important to Paul?
a.
First he
DID baptize some as we just noted.
b.
He himself
was baptized (Acts 9:18) and he explained the significance of it in a
later account. Acts 22:16.
c.
He taught
it in many other places as he taught about Jesus – Acts 16:14-15 where
Lydia and other Jewish women were praying he taught them and they were
baptized.
Acts 16:30-34 – the Philippian jailer
Acts 19:5 where in Ephesus he teaches some who had been baptized “into
John’s baptism.” As a result
of his message, they were baptized again.
d.
In his
epistles he makes several references to baptism and its importance:
i.
Romans
6:1-6 where Paul points out that the Christian cannot continue in sin
and please God. In the act
of baptism you put to death the man of sin and are raised “to walk in
newness of life.”
ii.
Galatians
3:27 tells us HOW we put on Christ – by being baptized into Him.
iii.
1
Corinthians 12:13 – baptized into one body.
iv.
Ephesians
4:5 – ONE baptism. Paul
emphasizes there is only ONE baptism involved in our salvation.
It is immersion in water.
v.
Colossians
2:11-12, “Buried with Him in baptism.”
In this text Paul equates baptism to circumcision under the Old
Law. It is a spiritual
circumcision in which we cut off the old man.
vi.
Truly,
Paul taught baptism as essential and important.
III.
What was Paul’s point?
a.
Answering
the arguments. Sometimes this text is used to show that baptism is not
necessary for salvation. It
is clear that the text does NOT teach that.
This text does not contradict the others we have noted.
b.
In
reality, this text itself shows the importance of baptism.
i.
Paul first
said, “Were you baptized in the name of Paul?”
In that expression he was implying that one SHOULD BE baptized,
but NOT in his name. Rather
it was in the name of Jesus (cf. Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Corinthians 12:13,
etc.)
ii.
Paul’s
thankfulness that he had not baptized many shows the need for baptism.
The fact is that he DID baptize some.
Why - If it is not needed?
He showed the act as important but NOT the one administering the
act.
c.
Why did
Paul say this? The brethren in Corinth were divided and splintering.
One way they took sides was to by aligning with the one who
taught them (and baptized them) – as if that made them more important
than the rest. And as if,
Paul’s baptism meant more than Peter’s or Apollos or whoever.
Paul wanted no part in their carnal behavior (1 Cor. 3:1-4).
d.
What
did he mean when he said, “Christ did not send me to baptize, but to
preach the gospel”?
Paul was emphasizing his mission as an apostle. His principal work
was preaching (cf. Acts 6:2
where the apostles dealt with complaints concerning the neglect of
Hellenist widows. They said
“It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve
tables.”). We have already
noted that Paul was in Corinth for 18 months and while there he taught
many and often. The people
needed more than just preaching about baptism (e.g. what they needed to
do to be saved), they also needed to hear what they needed to do to STAY
saved. That was the bulk of
Paul’s work.
Baptism was a result of a
successful message.
Paul was in no way trivializing the importance of baptism or negating
its necessity.
One modern paraphrase gives the verse this way, “God didn’t send me out to collect a following for myself, but to preach
the Message of what He has done…” (The Message).
That basically summarizes Paul’s point. (Note: A paraphrase is
not a translation but rather a brief commentary of the Bible, and they
should be used with the same caution you would with any other
commentary).
Consider this:
According to scripture, who can be
baptized? Is it not an act reserved for those who believe FIRST?
Before one can call on the name of the Lord (see Romans 10:13,
Acts 22:16) he must first have the gospel preached to him (Romans
10:14-17). Paul’s job was to
plant and water (1 Cor. 3:6-7) and the fruits would take care of
themselves.
Baptism was a fruit of his
teaching. But the
simple fact is that as Paul preached others did the baptizing.
He did not have to do all the baptizing for it to be effective.
That is all that is meant by Paul’s statement.
To read more into it than that is disregard many other facts that
we have already noted.
And thus we can see
Paul’s challenge to these brethren.
Rather than fighting over who baptized you, instead make sure you
ARE baptized for the right reason.
What about you? Have
you been baptized? Was it
for salvation? If not, let
me encourage you to reconsider where you stand before God – Mark 16:16.