What is Paul saying about priorities of baptism and the gospel?
Paul teaches that preaching the gospel takes priority over water baptism. He was sent not to baptize but to preach the gospel, lest the cross of Christ be made of no effect. Baptism must not divide believers or be valued above the gospel, because the gospel opens the door and transforms sinners.
Les explains that the Corinthians were puffed up, claiming they were baptized by Peter, Apollos, or Paul. Paul rejected having his name used that way and thanked God he had baptized none of them for that reason, though he then recalled baptizing the house of Crispus. But he put no importance on water baptism because of the dangers that were evident, and the same dangers divide believers today. In verse 17 Paul says Christ sent him not to baptize but to preach the gospel, lest the cross of Christ be made of no effect. Les says Paul is putting priorities first things first: what use are baptisms if people know nothing of the gospel? The gospel has to open the door. It made pagan Gentiles come out of gross immorality, made them new creatures in Christ, and transformed Jewish legalists into people of grace. It is the gospel Paul constantly refers to—Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and arose again the third day according to the Scriptures. That is Paul's gospel and our gospel.
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.