{"id":47865,"date":"2022-06-27T11:51:42","date_gmt":"2022-06-27T08:51:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=47865"},"modified":"2025-05-28T15:48:35","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T12:48:35","slug":"was-paul-saying-we-shouldnt-preach-about-baptism-1-corinthians-117","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2022\/06\/27\/was-paul-saying-we-shouldnt-preach-about-baptism-1-corinthians-117\/","title":{"rendered":"Was Paul Saying We Shouldn\u2019t Preach About Baptism? (1 Corinthians 1:17)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many people quote <\/span>1 Corinthians 1:17<\/strong> where Paul says:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel\u2014not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u20141 Corinthians 1:17<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

From this, some conclude: \u201cSince Paul wasn\u2019t sent to baptize, then maybe I\u2019m also not called to preach about baptism. I\u2019m just called to preach faith in Christ.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

But is that what Paul meant? And does it mean we can ignore preaching about baptism<\/strong> or other core doctrines like repentance<\/strong>, the Holy Spirit<\/strong>, or holy living<\/strong>?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s explore this with Scripture and sound theology.<\/p>\n

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1. Every Servant of God Is Called to Preach the Whole Word<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The calling to preach the gospel includes the full counsel of God\u2019s Word<\/strong>. Paul himself declared:<\/p>\n

\u201cTherefore I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014Acts 20:26\u201327<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This means no preacher is permitted to omit, minimize, or skip<\/strong> certain biblical truths because they feel unqualified or uncomfortable.<\/p>\n

Though we may have different gifts<\/strong> (Romans 12:6\u20138), we all preach the same gospel<\/strong> (Galatians 1:6\u20139). Our styles may differ, but the message must be the same<\/strong>: a full gospel of repentance, baptism, faith, and the life of holiness.<\/p>\n

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2. What Did Paul Mean in 1 Corinthians 1:17?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Paul was not denying the importance of baptism. He was making a distinction between his primary task<\/strong> and the supporting roles<\/strong> in ministry. His main focus was evangelism and church planting<\/strong>, not performing baptisms personally.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius… I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don\u2019t remember if I baptized anyone else.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u20141 Corinthians 1:14\u201316<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Paul was clearly involved in baptism, but he allowed others to administer it so he could focus on preaching<\/strong> the gospel more widely. He taught<\/strong> about baptism and even ensured people were baptized properly (see Acts 19:1\u20135), but he didn\u2019t personally perform the act in most cases.<\/p>\n

Acts 19:4\u20135<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cPaul said, \u2018John\u2019s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.\u2019 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Paul didn\u2019t avoid baptism\u2014he simply worked as part of a team and prioritized his apostolic mission.<\/p>\n

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3. Preaching the Whole Gospel Includes Baptism<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Jesus Himself made baptism part of the Great Commission:<\/p>\n

\u201cTherefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them<\/strong> in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014Matthew 28:19\u201320<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Preaching faith in Christ<\/strong> without calling people to baptism<\/strong> and obedience<\/strong> is preaching an incomplete gospel<\/strong>. The apostles understood this:<\/p>\n

\u201cPeter replied, \u2018Repent and be baptized<\/strong>, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.\u2019\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014Acts 2:38<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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4. Delegating Roles Doesn\u2019t Eliminate the Message<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In Acts 6<\/strong>, the apostles delegated food distribution to deacons so they could focus on the Word:<\/p>\n

\u201cIt would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables\u2026 We will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014Acts 6:2,4<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Likewise, Paul delegated baptism when needed. But he still preached about it<\/strong> and made sure new believers were taught everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n

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5. Preaching Selectively Is Spiritually Dangerous<\/strong><\/h2>\n

God warns us not to add to or subtract from His Word:<\/p>\n

\u201cI warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues… And if anyone takes words away…, God will take away that person\u2019s share in the tree of life.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014Revelation 22:18\u201319<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Avoiding topics like baptism, holiness, or repentance because they’re “too sensitive” is spiritual compromise. Paul warned Timothy:<\/p>\n

\u201cPreach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage\u2014with great patience and careful instruction.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u20142 Timothy 4:2<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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6. Truth May Hurt\u2014but It Heals<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Sometimes the truth offends or causes sorrow\u2014but that sorrow can lead to repentance and salvation<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

\u201cGodly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u20142 Corinthians 7:10<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If you know someone was baptized incorrectly, or is living in sin, and you keep quiet to protect their feelings\u2014you are not helping them. You are withholding the truth that could save them<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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We Are All Called to Preach the Full Gospel<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Every preacher, teacher, and believer is called to share the whole truth of God\u2019s Word<\/strong>\u2014not just what is popular or easy to say.<\/p>\n

Baptism is part of the gospel. So are repentance, holiness, faith, obedience, and the Holy Spirit. If God has revealed it in Scripture, then it\u2019s part of our responsibility to teach and preach it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Lord is coming! \u00a0<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n