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The above title is only part of a sentence taken from First Corinthians 1:17. The verse
from which it was taken reads, "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel:
not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."
In order to get this verse in its proper connection, the context should also be considered. Beginning with verse 12, the writer says, "Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the house of Stephanus: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel." It should be noted that not one word was said about the design of baptism, or the position it occupies in the scheme of redemption. Many assume that since Christ sent Paul not to baptize, but to preach the gospel, baptism has no part in the salvation of man. Paul usually had a traveling companion with him. Timothy, who was with him much of the time, could have done the baptizing. It took an inspired man then to preach the gospel. There was no New Testament written then, and the people were dependent upon inspired men to preach the gospel. But anyone with the physical ability, and sense enough to lead one into the water and bury him, could do the baptizing. I know one debater who has a chart with this quotation: "Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel." He seems to think that as baptism is not mentioned in that text as a condition of salvation, it is, therefore, not essential to salvation. He does not look to any other place to find anything on the subject of salvation. According to his thinking, it is not mentioned there and, therefore, is no part of salvation. Strange reasoning, it appears to me. Jesus, the Lord, spoke to Paul on the road to Damascus and said, "But rise and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I now send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me" (Acts 26:16-18). The Lord did call Paul to preach the gospel, but in preaching the gospel, which is the good news of salvation, he preached what man should do to be saved, for this salvation was conditional. Peter also — on the first Pentecost after the ascension of Christ — preached the gospel, and when the people were convicted of sin the record says, "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:37-39). The Gentile world was embraced in this call, but only those who accept the conditions are embraced in the promise. But some may say that Peter did not mention faith. No, but he did mention that which is equivalent to faith. In verse 36, he said, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." They could have known this only by faith, by believing it with all their hearts. Peter, therefore, preached faith, repentance, and baptism for the remission of sins. These are what an alien sinner should do in order to be saved from past sins. In Romans 6, beginning with verse 3, the apostle said, "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" Of course, this means into the benefits of His death. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins (Heb. 9:22). It is only through the blood of Christ that sins can be forgiven. The death of Christ is, therefore, the procuring cause of salvation. But when and how can sinners reach the benefits of His blood? The apostle continues, "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Notice that the new life begins at the resurrection from the grave of a burial in baptism. Christ died for our sins. Man should die to sin. Christ was raised from the grave. We too are raised from the grave of baptism. Why will men attempt to destroy the picture of salvation from sin to save a thing that is not taught in the New Testament? |