Command 47: Baptize My Disciples
Study Question
Q: Why did Jesus send out His disciples to teach and baptize, but sent Paul out “not to baptize, but to preach the gospel”? (See Matthew 28:19 and I Corinthians 1:17.)
A: Paul baptized very few believers, and Jesus did not baptize any; however, their disciples baptized other believers. (See John 4:1–2.) When Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, he reproved them for their carnal divisions:
“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. … For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel …” (I Corinthians 1:12–17).
Paul later reminded the Corinthian church that they had all been baptized by one Spirit into Christ’s body and warned them to guard against schisms that would divide and distract them. (See I Corinthians 12:13, 25.) He recognized the danger of Christian leaders attracting loyalty to themselves or to their group by adding their own requirements or methods to the simple command of Jesus to believe and be baptized.
Therefore, Paul’s focus throughout his entire ministry was simply to preach the Gospel and make disciples wherever he went, according to Christ’s command: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you …” (Matthew 28:19–20).
This study question and answer is adapted from the Commands of Christ, Series 7, book. For further study, this book may be purchased from our Online Store.