Why did Paul say Christ sent him not to baptize but to preach the gospel?
Paul said Christ sent him not to baptize but to preach the gospel so that nothing—not even baptism or church rites—would detract from the finished work of the cross. The preaching of the cross must remain central, and human wisdom must not make the cross of no effect.
Les explains that Paul could not let anything detract from the finished work of the cross. Nothing that the Church does, not even the rites of baptism or anything else, dare detract from the gospel, and that gospel is the finished work of the cross. Paul also says he preached not with the wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. In verse 18, the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who perish, but to those who are saved it is the power of God.
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.
More Questions
What does Paul mean when he says Christ sent him not to baptize but to preach the gospel?
In 1 Corinthians 1:17, Paul says he was sent not to baptize but to preach the gospel, meaning that no church practice, not even baptism, and no human eloquence may detract from the gospel because the gospel is the finished work of the cross.