What did Paul say Christ sent him to do instead of baptizing?
Paul declares that Christ sent him not to baptize but to preach the gospel, lest the cross of Christ be made of no effect. Paul put no importance on water baptism because of the dangers of division among believers and prioritized gospel preaching first, since the gospel opens the door and transforms lives.
Les explains that verse 17 is Paul's statement: “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.” Les teaches this is about priorities—first things first. Paul had just dealt with believers puffed up over who baptized them, saying he was thankful he baptized none of them for that reason, then remembered he did baptize the house of Crispus and another. Other than that, he put no importance on water baptism because of the dangers that were evident—dangers that divide believers. Les says, what use are all the various kinds of baptism if they 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 throughout his letters: 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.