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1 Corinthians 1:17 |
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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.
Note 10 at 1Co 1:17: This is a very important statement by the Apostle Paul that reveals a lot about the way he viewed water baptism. If he had deemed water baptism necessary for salvation, as some people proclaim today, he would never have made a statement like this.
Just as with Peter, when he argued for the conversion of the Gentiles before the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem (see note 5 at Ac 11:18), Paul did not consider baptism a requirement for salvation.
There is no argument that water baptism is a command of Jesus and should therefore be performed (Mt 28:19), but it is error to teach that it is essential for salvation.

