Lesson 2850

(Lesson 2850)(10-15-19) 1 Corinthians 1:14-17
    “ I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 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.”

   Today’s quote contains another one of the most important lessons that is to be found in the New Testament. Therein Paul very clearly establishes that water baptism has nothing to do with the salvation of one’s eternal soul. I can say that because Paul said “I thank God that I baptized none of you”, and that, "God sent me NOT to baptize". If water baptism were meant to be a requisite step to salvation, Paul, a hand picked apostle of Jesus Chrsit, would have NEVER made those statements.
    It behooves us to remember that Peter and several of the other apostles pressured and threatened Paul, insisting that he teach portions of the old Mosaic law, such as circumcision etc., as a part of the gospel of Christ. According to Maimonides (A highly recognized Jewish authority and Torah scholar from the 12th century AD), water immersion or “baptism”, was a part of that law. Thank God, Paul adamantly refused to give in to those distortions of what he knew to be the gospel.~