Gal 5 vs I Cor 1

I Corinthians 1 has been used by faith only groups to say you are saved without baptism, and frankly they use it to say you are saved by the cross without having to live for Christ.

It is really just saying not to put one teacher above another because every teacher needs the cross to be saved. This theme is also visible in Galations and the letters to Timothy. Paul was made a teacher based upon God's grace, both by forgiving him but also by empowerment as God gifted him with knowledge and wisdom.

Notice that Galations 3 says they were baptized into Christ, but in Galations 6 he glorifies Christ's sacrifice on the cross.

Gal 3:27  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 

Gal 6:14  But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 

As you can see, glory in the cross did not change the need and purpose of baptism, or the need to live for Christ. As a matter of fact, the same terminology is used in I Cor 1 and Gal. 6:14. If one is used post baptism then the other may be post baptism.

When one is baptized into Christ they are forgiven based upon the cross, then they must walk by the Spirit post-baptism.

The context of Galations 5 and 6 was false teachers elevating themselves and teaching the need for circumcision and to keep the law of Moses. They were demanding strict adherence to Moses post-baptism.

Paul said we hope for righteousness by faith, Christians aren't righteous in this world through law keeping, for it is still future.

Gal 5:5  For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 

Notice in this verse Paul isn't using faith in becoming a Christian, but of baptized Christians living in hope for a future righteousness..It isn't discounting baptism or discounting a life of hope whereby we serve God. Faith is looking to a future hope.