It’s The Gospel

“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect” (1 Corinthians 1:17 NKJV). 

Inside of a preacher’s office on top of a book shelf sat a mug that simply stated, “I can do all things through a verse taken out of context.” Truer words are hard to find. 

If you are an individual who teaches that baptism is not essential for salvation, than you probably love this verse found in 1 Corinthians 1:17. However, I guarantee you’re taking it out of context. You see, this quote taken from the Apostle Paul is often confused among Bible readers today. Paul clearly said “Christ did not send me to baptize.” So… does that mean baptism is not essential? Absolutely… NOT! 

During a one and a half year stay in Corinth Paul had established a church. However, as Paul explained in verse 11, while he was in Ephesus some people from Corinth sought out Paul to inform him of contentions that were taking place. Evidently people were creating divisions saying “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” etc. It appears that people were connecting their identity as a Christian with who they were baptized by, rather than finding their identity with the One who gave His life. 

So back to verse 17, when Paul said “Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel,” he was not saying that baptism was not important. Rather, Paul was using literary context to show that they were missing the point. Baptism is essential but salvation is not in the water nor through the person who baptized you, it is solely through Jesus Christ. Paralleling perfectly with his emphasis in the first ten verses on Jesus Christ being the answer to their problems (check our the previous article “Jesus is the Answer”). 

This is very encouraging for us today. There are people today who delay receiving salvation because they fail to see where the true power comes from. Instead of recognizing that all power and salvation comes through Christ, many people today find themselves waiting around like the small child near the end of “The Incredibles” who when asked what he was waiting for said, “I don’t know, something amazing I guess.” Well, the amazing thing you’ve been waiting for has been right in front of you the whole time.

It’s the gospel!