Lesson 4768

 (Lesson 4768) (02-23-25) 1st Corinthians 1:10-17 

   “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. 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. 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. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 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.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Paul urged the Corinthian believers to be united in mind and judgment, warning them against divisions and quarrels over allegiance to different leaders such as Paul, Apollos, or Cephas. He emphasized that Christ is not divided and that salvation does not come through any human leader. 

Paul addressed the issue of water baptism, stating that he was thankful he had baptized only a few of them so that no one could claim they were baptized in his name. He clarified that Christ did not send him to baptize but to preach the gospel, emphasizing that salvation does not come through water baptism but through faith in Christ and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This reinforces that it is the baptism of the Holy Ghost, not water baptism, that truly saves and grants eternal life. ~