"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."
Today's lesson is continued from the same quote as yesterday's wherein Paul begins to unwind, and condemn, the "contentions" that had arisen among the membership of the church at Corinth.
At this point we should re-establish that the "baptized", as it is applied in the above quote, does NOT refer the the baptism of the Holy Ghost that eternally saves the souls of the Lost, bur rather, it refers to the same water baptism of a kind as that which was administered by John the Baptist.
It should be noted that the word "baptized" as it is applied herein is used in reference to a ritual water immersion that was practiced by the Jews as was required by the old Law. It should also be noted that water baptism has NO bearing upon the eternal condition of one's soul. Water baptism was required of all Jews under the Law as a prerequisite cleansing before entering into any type of religious worship service, such as prayer, offering a sacrifice or entering any tabernacle or the temple, for any purpose. Jesus was baptized in water, not to become the Son of God, but rather, because He was an obedient Jew and was required to do so in preparation to surrender Himself as a perfectly obedient sacrifice for the sins of mankind. This is why Paul could say, as he did in the quote, "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel". ~
Tomorrow's lesson will taken from the same quote as today's and will help further explain Paul's intentions.
No comments:
Post a Comment