It is a favorite proof text of those who deny the Scriptural teaching of the essentiality of baptism for salvation. In First Corinthians 1:17, Paul affirmed, “For Christ did not send me to baptize…” Some think this proves that baptism is not essential. The problem is that the passage actually proves more than they want it to prove.
First, consider how Paul would condemn himself in this passage for doing what he said God sent him not to do. If he was not to baptize, then why would Paul state repeatedly in this passage, “I baptized…I had baptized…I also baptized…I baptized…” (1:14-16). Four times in this passage, Paul admits to baptizing and twice even names who he baptized. If he was not sent to baptize (as some want to stress), then he condemned himself by baptizing.
Paul was not given a different commission than the apostles were given in Mark 16:15. In that passage, Jesus commanded, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel.” That is the preacher’s primary duty. Baptizing people is the natural result of preaching the gospel, as the hearers make up their minds to obey that gospel and be baptized to be saved (v. 16). Paul was emphasizing his primary responsibility (i.e., “to preach the gospel,” v. 17), which of necessity included the teaching (Acts 8:35-39) and the practice (Matt. 28:19) of baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).
Second, notice the contextual reason for why Paul was making these statements about baptism. The church in Corinth was being devastated by division, and Paul did not want to have contributed one iota to that division, lest a charge could be laid against him that he “had baptized in [his] own name” (v. 14). But, what would baptism have to do with that?
Various church members were claiming allegiance to different men, including Paul (by saying, “I am of Paul,” v. 12). Paul identified two actions that would have been necessary for one to rightfully say, “I am of Paul.” One, Paul needed to have been crucified for them. Two, they needed to have been baptized in the name of Paul. Then, and only then, could one say, “I am of Paul.” Therefore, by this line of argumentation, Paul equally proves how one can rightfully say, “I am of Christ.” Christ must have been crucified for that person, and that person must be baptized in the name of Christ. Then, and only then, could one say, “I am of Christ.”
This passage backfires on those who try to use it to prove that baptism is not essential to salvation. In fact, it proves the very doctrine they are fighting against—there is a direct connection between baptism and salvation from sin.