BAPTISM IS ESSENTIAL

(NASB John 4:1-2) "Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were),"

For various reasons, most modern-day churches believe and teach that salvation is by faith only and that baptism is not necessary [non-essential] for salvation. [Please go back and re-read my lesson No. 10 on "comprehensive Faith"] One of the verses used to teach their doctrine is 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 tells of some that he baptized. His point is not to diminish the importance of baptism in God's plan of salvation but to point out that the baptizer is of no importance. It takes no special preparation nor special selection nor special ordination for one to baptize another person. Jesus himself did not personally baptize, even though he was credited with their baptism, but his disciples performed the actual act. And so it was with Paul. Paul baptized very few in Corinth but many were obedient to the command of the gospel to be baptized. Notice Acts 18:8: "And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized."

Yes, Crispus is here mentioned as he is in the 1st Corinthian letter. He believed and was baptized and all the other Corinthians believed and were baptized. Somebody other than Paul did the baptizing. Who? We don't have that information perhaps because the one who performs the act of baptizing is of little or no importance. Paul was sent out under the same commission that the apostles were and that was, "... Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15).

Paul did what he had been called to do, preach the gospel. The Corinthians did what the Lord commanded them to do, believe and be baptized. When that old time gospel of the New Testament was preached and people obeyed it -- result -- they were saved.

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