BAPTISM, Why did Paul water baptize?

Why did Paul water baptize?

Why did Paul water baptize?

by Shawn Brasseaux

In 1 Corinthians 1:17, Paul wrote, “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel….” Unlike the 12 apostles in Matthew 28:19, Jesus Christ did not send Paul to water baptize. Yet, strangely, Paul did water baptize converts in Acts 16:15, Acts 16:33, Acts 18:8 (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:14-16), and Acts 19:5. If Paul was not sent to water baptize, then why did he water baptize at all? A related question is, Why was Paul water baptized if water baptism has no place in our Dispensation of Grace? These are very good questions, and the Bible certainly has the answers. Will we be Berean Bible students and search the Scriptures for ourselves?

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 1:14-16 that Paul water baptized Crispus, Gaius, and Stephanas’ household: “[14] I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; [15] Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. [16] And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.” In Acts 18:1,7-8, which is where Paul first came to Corinth, the Bible says some of the Corinthian believers were Jews. This is what 1 Corinthians 1:14-16 is discussing. “And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized” (Acts 18:8).

Why Paul water baptized converts is best answered by considering the following facts in Scripture:

  • The signs, miracles, and wonders of Israel’s program were temporarily carried over into Paul’s ministry (the Acts transitional period). God was thus demonstrating to Israel that her program was falling away, and Paul’s ministry was replacing Peter’s (Romans 11:11-14; 2 Corinthians 12:12).
  • Peter water baptized (Acts 2:38,41; Acts 10:46-48), so Paul also water baptized.
  • Paul spoke with tongues, performed healing miracles, et cetera, just like Peter did: healing (Acts 3:6-8 cf. Acts 14:8-10), raising the dead (Acts 9:36-42 cf. Acts 20:9-11), laying on hands to give the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:14-20 cf. Acts 19:6), and speaking in tongues (Acts 2:1-4 cf. 1 Corinthians 13:1 and 14:18).

To validate Paul’s ministry for the lost Jews’ sake, God temporarily granted Paul the gift of miracle-working. Lest the Jews discredit Paul for not water baptizing, he also water baptized—that is, they could have said, “Paul does not water baptize… we should not follow him.” Paul water baptizing (and performing miracles) provoked the Jews to jealousy or emulation (Romans 11:11,14). Israel’s God was now working amongst the Gentiles with their signs, miracles, and wonders!

In fact, 1 Corinthians is one of the epistles Paul wrote during the Acts transitional period. Water baptism was so trivial in Paul’s ministry that this (1 Corinthians 1:13-17) is the only time he ever writes about it in all of his 13 epistles, Romans through Philemon. By the time you get to Paul’s latter epistles written after Acts (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon), Paul makes no more references to water baptism. Once we reach Acts chapter 28, the transition from Israel’s program had been accomplished, Paul’s provoking ministry had ended. Furthermore, with the transitional period (Acts) concluded, Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:5: “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” This is definitely not water baptism, since Paul was not sent to water baptize (1 Corinthians 1:17). The only baptism that matters in this the Dispensation of Grace is 1 Corinthians 12:13: “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” It is not water baptism, but the Holy Spirit placing us into the Church the Body of Christ.

As a side-note, Paul was water baptized of Ananias because of Ananias’ benefit, not for Paul’s benefit (Acts 9:18; Acts 22:16). Paul was saved apart from his water baptism. Ananias knew that, up to that point, believers of Jesus Christ had been water baptized (cf. Matthew 3:6; Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:4-5; Mark 16:16; Luke 3:3; John 3:22; John 4:1-2; Acts 2:38,41; Acts 8:12,36-39; Acts 13:24). To refuse water baptism was to indicate unbelief (Luke 7:29-30). Therefore, had Paul not been water baptized, it would have been a stumblingblock to those believing Jews who had been water baptized. Paul being water baptized was another instance of his ministry and apostleship replacing Peter’s: Peter had been water baptized, and Paul had been water baptized. Paul being water baptized safeguarded against his critics from claiming that he was not a legitimate apostle for having not been baptized. In fact, since Paul was water baptized, he was able to use this as part of his testimony before lost Israel (Acts 22:16)!

Also see:
» Why was water baptism necessary in Israel’s program?
» Do I need to be water baptized—for a testimony, for salvation, or not at all?
» Why was Jesus water baptized?