Of course, if we should not baptize, then it would follow that baptizing people would be wrong. We would be doing that which we should not do! Yet we learn that Paul DID baptize people. "I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, that no man should say you were baptized in my name. Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other" (1 Corinthians 1:14-16). So it would appear that Paul did that which he was not sent to do. He baptized people.

     Another interesting point is that Jesus instructed His apostles to baptize, "And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit'" (Matthew 28:18-19). Further, there are numerous examples in the New Testament where the apostles baptize people (Note the example of Peter in Acts 2:38,41). Finally, even the Denominations who make this argument, practice baptism even though they say Paul condemned that which they themselves practice. By this, they condemn themselves. Will they admit that they do that which the New Testament condemns, or is there another explanation to PaulÕs statement: "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel"?

     In this text, we have a figure of speech that appears quite frequently in the New Testament. It is an expression where Ònot.....butÓ appears. Christ sent me NOT to baptize, BUT to preach the gospel. THAYERÕS GREEK-ENGLISH LEXICON discusses this speech pattern. He said "By a rhetorical construction ouk....alla sometimes is logically equiv. to not so much...as: ....by this form of speech the emphasis is laid on the second member;" (page 28).

     In other words, the first element of the contrast is not wrong, but the emphasis should be placed on the second element. For example, Jesus said, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal" (Matthew 6:19-20). Jesus is not teaching that it is wrong for us to have a savings account or investments, but He is saying that the emphasis of our lives should not be wrapped up in our earthly treasures. The emphasis of our lives should be on the second element of the consideration. The emphasis of our lives should be on laying up for ourselves treasures in heaven.

     Another example is found in the words of Peter. "And let not your adornment be external-- braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God" (1 Peter 3:3-4). Of course, we recognize that it is not wrong for women to comb their hair, wear jewelry, or put on dresses. But it becomes wrong if that becomes the emphasis of the woman's life. The emphasis of her life should be placed on the second element of the consideration. The emphasis of her life should be on the hidden person of the heart which is precious in the sight of God.

     Just one more example: Jesus said, "Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man shall give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal" (John 6:27). It is not wrong for man to work for his food. In fact, Paul said that if a man will not work, either let him eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). But such should not become the emphasis of our lives. The emphasis of our life should be on the second element of the illustration. We should be working for the food that endures to eternal life.

     Now with this in mind, let us go back to Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 1:17, "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel.Ó It was not wrong for Paul to baptize, for he did that very thing in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:14,16). But the emphasis of Paul's work was not to see how many people he could baptize; the emphasis of his work was to preach the gospel.

     In 1 Corinthians 1:14, Paul said, "I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius." Just why was Paul grateful that he had baptized so few? The answer is found in verse 15, "that no man should say you were baptized in my name." There was a problem among the Christians at Corinth that Paul was addressing in this text. They were showing loyalty to the one who had baptized them. "For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's household that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul, and I of Apollos, and I of Cephas, and I of Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:11-12). Paul was grateful that there were few who were saying "I am of Paul" instead of confessing that they were of Christ.

     Please notice just what would have been necessary for one to be of Paul. Again, Paul wrote, "Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul, and I of Apollos, and I of Cephas, and I 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 1:12-13). First, for one to be "of Paul", Paul would have to be crucified for us. He was not. Second, for one to be "of Paul", one would have to be baptized in the name of Paul. None have been baptized into Paul's name. Therefore no one can be "of Paul."

     Now let us consider what would be necessary for one to be "of Christ." First, Christ would have to be crucified for us. He was. Second, one would have to be baptized in the name of Christ. This is the point Paul is making. We cannot be "of Paul" because Paul was not crucified for us, and we have not been baptized into the name of Paul. In contrast, for us to be of Christ, He must be crucified for us, and (notice closely) we must be baptized in the name of Christ. In other words, one cannot be "of Christ" without being baptized in the name of Christ.

     This is exactly what Peter taught in Acts 2. The multitude " said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Brethren, what shall we do?'" (Acts 2:37). Now notice closely how Peter responded to their question, ÒAnd Peter to them, ÔRepent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit'" (Acts 2:38). In verse 41, they were baptized. We can therefore conclude that they were of Christ. Why? Because Christ was crucified for them, and they were baptized in the name of Christ.

     You can be "of Christ" today by being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins. If we can be of any assistance to you in achieving this relationship with the Father and the Son, please contact us.