Paul was not sent to baptize because Christ commissioned him to preach the gospel — the message of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
In 1 Corinthians 1:17 Paul states plainly that Christ sent him to preach the gospel, not to baptize, and to do so without clever words so the cross would not lose its effect. Les Feldick teaches that Paul's commission was deliberately different from John the Baptist's, who was sent to baptize with the baptism of repentance. Paul's priority was the finished work of the cross, and nothing — not even baptism — was to detract from it.
1 Corinthians 1:17 — This is Paul's explicit statement that Christ did not send him to baptize but to preach the gospel.
1 Corinthians 1:18 — This verse shows the cutting-edge meaning of the preaching of the cross that Paul was sent to proclaim.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 — These verses identify exactly what gospel Paul was sent to preach — Christ died, was buried, and rose again according to the Scriptures.
The Bible records Paul's own words: "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" (1 Corinthians 1:17). In the very next verse Paul adds, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18). Paul's gospel — the message he was sent to proclaim instead of making baptism his focus — is plainly stated in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."
Les Feldick teaches that Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 1:17 establishes the first priority of his ministry — preaching the gospel. He points out that this assignment was different from John the Baptist's mission, for John was commissioned to baptize with the baptism of repentance. Paul, however, was sent to the Gentiles at Corinth with the message of the finished work of the cross. Les stresses that nothing — not even water baptism — should detract from the gospel. He notes that the Corinthians were already dividing into factions over which leader had baptized them, and Paul thanked God he had baptized only a few. The gospel, Les says, has to open the door; it is the gospel that makes pagans new creatures and transforms legalists into people of grace. He also emphasizes that Paul deliberately avoided human wisdom and eloquent words, because it is the Holy Spirit who opens hearts. In the same context, Les points out that the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but is God's power to those being saved. Every time Paul preached, regardless of the situation, his message was that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
Les Feldick points out that John the Baptist was commissioned to Israel and "baptized with the baptism of repentance" — that was his mission. Paul's own words, however, are, "Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel." Les says this contrast is "so plain" in the Scripture, showing that Paul's ministry assignment was entirely different from John's. Paul was sent to proclaim the gospel of the grace of God, not to make baptism his focus.
The Corinthians were dividing into camps over which leader baptized them: "I was baptized by Peter; I was baptized by Apollos; I was baptized by Paul." Les teaches that Paul said, "I thank God I baptized none of you for that very reason" — because baptism was becoming a source of division and was drawing attention away from the cross. Scripture records Paul's words: "I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius" (1 Corinthians 1:14).
Paul's gospel, the one he delivered first of all to the Corinthians, is summarized in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: "how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." Les says this is Paul's gospel and our gospel, and it is the central theme throughout all of Paul's letters. This message of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is what Paul was sent to preach instead of performing baptisms.
The Gospel Preached by Paul
Les shows that the gospel Paul first delivered to the Corinthians was that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day — the message that defined why he was sent to preach.
Sent to Preach, Not to Baptize
Les reads 1 Corinthians 1:17 and emphasizes Paul's words that Christ sent him to preach the gospel, not to baptize, so that nothing would detract from the finished work of the cross.
Baptism Divisions in Corinth
Les says the Corinthians were claiming loyalty to different baptizers, so Paul was thankful he baptized few and put no importance on water baptism because of the danger of division.
Paul vs. John the Baptist
Les contrasts John the Baptist's commission to baptize with Paul's commission to preach the gospel, showing why Paul's statement fits his unique ministry.
First Things First: The Gospel
Les teaches that the gospel must open the door; without it, various kinds of baptism are meaningless, and the gospel is what makes believers new creatures.
Not with Wisdom of Words
Les says Paul did not rely on human eloquence or wise words, because conversion happens when the Holy Spirit opens the heart, as with Lydia.
Paul Was Not Crucified for You
Les shows that Paul rejected any loyalty built on his own name or on baptism, since he was not crucified for the Corinthians.
The Gospel Is All Paul Knows
Les says Paul's whole message is the gospel of the cross — Christ died, was buried, and rose again — which is foolishness to the lost but power to the saved.
1 Corinthians 1:17: 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.
Paul directly states his divine commission was to preach the gospel, not to perform baptism.
1 Corinthians 1:18: For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
This follows Paul's explanation of why he preaches the gospel: the cross is central, though the world sees it as foolishness.
1 Corinthians 1:14: I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
Paul thanks God he baptized none, illustrating that baptism was not central to his ministry.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4: For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
The gospel Paul received and preached — the message he was sent to proclaim instead of making baptism his focus.
No. Paul was not saying baptism was wrong. He was saying his divine commission was to preach the gospel, and he did not want baptism to detract from the cross of Christ. Les Feldick notes that Paul did baptize a few, like the household of Crispus, but placed no importance on it for his ministry.
Paul meant he did not depend on eloquent speech or human reason to save people. Les teaches that Paul knew it is the Holy Spirit who opens the heart, as when the Lord opened Lydia's heart in Philippi.
John was commissioned to baptize with the baptism of repentance. Les contrasts that with Paul's commission to preach the gospel of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
Watch the Teaching: What Paul Teaches That You Won't Find in the Gospels