Cross and Preachers

Faith only groups have misused I Corinthians 1 by stating the chapter teaches cross only theology. They nullify baptism with their rendition of it.

The Cross was a sacrifice that brought about atonement. It also ratified the New Covenant.

The cross upholds everything it ratifies, including baptism.

Ephesians 5:23-30 says Jesus gave himself in order that he can cleanse with water. So, the cross ratified baptism.

We do need to explain how this effects I Corinthians 1. This chapter is talking about preachers and church workers. How we are qualified to be church workers. It also shows God called humble sinners vs the self-righteous and mighty.

1Co 1:26  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 

Since all preachers were saved through the cross we are sinners also. We can't make one apostle or preacher greater than others morally because all need the cross for atonement. It discounts the glory of men.

I Corinthians 1 through chapter 4 addresses seeing one apostle or other teacher as morally superior, and by that giving one teacher more glory than another. This leads to giving one persons baptism over another. All apostles were sinners.

Paul submitted to persecution before being called. (Called himself chief sinner)

Peter denied Christ and had other sins.

So, Paul isn't down playing baptism in salvation, he is highlighting that no baptism even by the greatest apostle, is relevant without the cross. All salvation requires the cross. It also shows no ones baptism if following Christ's use of baptism is greater than any other man's.

Jesus did not call Peter or Paul because they were superior, but because they were lowly through sin.

1Ti 1:12  And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 

1Ti 1:13  Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 

1Ti 1:14  And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Also, I Cor. 1:1-5 matches Eph. 3:1-10; it shows that grace was the ability to understand through Paul and then through spiritual gifts. Grace involved growing in understanding after being initially saved.

Ephesians 2:8 actually matches I Corinthians 1-4

Grace is where God enabled a sinner (Paul) who was given grace so others could come to knowledge. All the great men in the world can't be useful without the cross. Grace continued after being saved through spiritual gifts, as they received a greater understanding of God's blessings.

Co 2:12  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.