Baptized Unto Salvation #5

It has often been said in support of the idea that baptism is not important for salvation, “Well, Paul said that he was thankful that he baptized none but Crispus and Gaius and then remembered another as if he had nearly forgotten (1 Cor. 1:13-16).    But, right in the middle of these verses is the explanation for his choice not to baptize many: “Lest any should say that I had baptized in my own name” (v. 15).  Who does the baptizing is of little importance.  That is the significance of the statement and is very similar to John 4:1-2, which reads, “When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,  (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)”.  Neither John 4 nor 1 Corinthians 1 is teaching that baptism is unimportant.  Yet, both Jesus and Paul did not personally baptize many.  In the case of Christ, he didn’t baptize any.   

By examining the case of 1 Corinthians 1, the context shows the division that occurs when someone claims to be attached to the one that baptized them.  To say, “I’m of Cephas, Paul, or Apollos” divided the body.  He asks, “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?” This is the context surrounding the statement of not baptizing many.   He didn’t want anyone to say that they were Paul’s disciples.   Plus, their identity is not determined by who baptized them, but into whose name they were being baptized.  Christ died for them and for this reason Romans 6:3-4 explains that to be baptized into Christ is to be baptized into his death because baptism is a burial with Him into His death (cf. Col. 2:12).  Having died to sin so that death has no more dominion, we bury the old man much like “burying the hatchet.” Its design is that the old man is dead and gone.   This defines repentance and it is true that he who has died is freed from sin.  Yet, at this point, there is no life.  Baptism is not only the burial of the old man but enables the resurrection of the new man.  Then, and only then is there life.  Given these passages and a brief examination of 1 Corinthians 1, it is clear that Paul is only saying that who baptized who is unimportant, not that baptism is unimportant.

1 Cor. 12:12 reads, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body”  Is it important to be in the body?  Galatians 3:27 reads, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  If you want to put on Christ and be in the body, the passage shows that you must be baptized into Him.  

At no point do we conclude this act of faith (Gal. 3:26) is a work of the law that seeks justification on the basis of law-keeping.  Rather, it is a work of faith that when done begins the walk in newness of life.  Romans 6:18 reads, “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”   Question:  What was said just before saying that they were then made free from sin?  Or, when were they made free from sin?   Verse 17 reads, “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.”  What had they obeyed?  Answer: “that form of teaching.” When they obeyed from the heart that form of teaching (the death, burial, and resurrection), they were then made free from sin and became the servants of righteousness.   Why?  Because they had been buried with Him into His death.