Paul's Extra Careful, Caution

Christjustified.com
04-07-2005

Of Christ?

Why Paul was cautious, wasn't sent to immerse (administer immersion)

Paul writing to the Corinthians that they may speak the same thing, that there be no divisions among them. Why the divisions? Because the city of Cornith, was know for philosophers, which men would say their of a particular philosopher. Some in the church were saying I am of Paul, and I of Apollos, and I of Cephas and I of Christ.
Paul points out to them, was Paul crucified for them? or were they immersed in the name of Paul? Paul thank God he immersed none of them, except Crisus and Gaaius. Paul remembers he immersed also the house hold of Stephanas: besides , he know not whether he immersed any other.

I Corintians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

Paul says Christ sent him not to immerse (administer immersion) for the very reason, lest any should say Paul was crucified for them or that paul had immersied them in his own name, and men should say their of Paul.

I Corintians 1:17For 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 is telling the people not to say their of Paul or anyone else's name, but only their of Christ. Paul shows the great effect of immersion (water) in the minds of them who been immersed. That they may attribute special qualities to the person who administers immersion, saying wrongly their of that person who administered immersion to them, or they were crucified in the admininister's name. Due to this, Paul because of his great prominence in the church, was cautious, careful not to administer immersion (water) but to just a very few people, allowing others to administer immersion (water).

Paul was sent to preach (his primary task to preach, allowing others to administer immersion) and particularly the gospel (not a wisdom of a philosopher, as were around in Corinth) not with wisdom of words (of man), lest the cross of Christ (being the primary part of the gospel, which persuades men to believe, repent, confess and be immersion (water) for forgiveness of sins) should be made of none effect.

Paul continues:

I Corintians 1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.