I quoted the scriptures Paul wrote himself and Paul clearly did not teach that baptism saves, but that the gospel HE RECIEVED saves and that baptism was a picture or likeness of the saving work of the gospel. I think some of you fail to understand that the gospel was received by Paul as He was given revelation by the Lord. Now for Paul to say I was called to preach the Gospel and not baptize ...then clearly He understood that its faith that saves and baptism is an act of obedience to that faith. None of these scriptures contradict that view at all but only support that view.
1 Cor 1:17 Paul did not say baptism (noun) is not necessary or not part of the gospel. This verse is a "not-but" elliptical statement where Paul put emphasis on preaching over baptizing but not to the exclusion of baptizing for Paul
DID baptize even though he said Christ sent him not to baptize.
(Another example of a not-but ellipsis is 1Pet 3:3,4 "
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." Peter is not saying wives should literally NOT put on clothing but Peter is putting more emphasis on the inward adorning over the outward adorning but not to the exclusion of the outward adorning.)
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Acts 22:16 Saul/Paul was baptized himself to wash away sin. Cannot be saved unwashed.
1 Cor 1:12,13; Rom 6:3-5; Col 2:12-14; Gal 3:27 all show the necessity of baptism that Paul preached.
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1 Cor 1:12 "
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."
There was division at Corinth. Instead of all at the Corinthian church following Christ some were following after the one that baptized them saying I am of Paul or I am of Apollos or I am of Cephas. To heal the division at Corinth Paul asked the following rhetorical question in verse 13:
1 Cor 1:13 "
Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?"
Verse 13 stated in the positive Paul is saying "
Christ is not divided! Christ was crucified for you, you were baptized in the name of Christ"
Paul's point is that if you claim to be "of" someone then two things must be true:
1) that someone must be crucified for you
2) you must be baptized in the someone's name
Since these two things are only true of Christ, then the Corinthians cannot be "of" Paul or "of" Apollos or "of" Cephas but all must be "of" Christ. So if you (and anyone else) claim to be "of" Christ then
BOTH must be true, 1) Christ must be crucified for you and you 2) must be baptized in the name of Christ. One cannot be "of" Christ if he has not been baptized in the name of Christ.
Heb 2:9 Christ was (1) crucified for every man. So why isn't every man saved?
For every man will not (2) be baptized in the name of Christ. BOTH must be true to be "of" Christ.