03 Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation? (1 Corinthians 1:13-17)

Paul’s question, “Has Christ been divided?” opens up a searching conversation about baptism, discipleship, and what truly unites or divides the people of God. In this episode on 1 Corinthians 1:13–17, Krisan Marotta explores why Paul is glad he baptized so few in Corinth, what it means (and doesn’t mean) to be baptized “in someone’s name,” and why the cross of Christ—not any ritual, leader, or style—is at the center of genuine Christian faith. In this week’s episode, we explore:How the Corinthians’ factionalism grew out of misplaced loyalties to gifted teachers rather than to Christ HimselfWhat it meant in the first century to be “baptized in the name of” someone, and why that language is tied to being someone’s discipleHow the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus clarify the relationship between making disciples and performing baptismsWhy Jesus’ command to baptize “in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” guards against gathering followers for ourselves instead of for HimThree major ways Christians understand baptism today—sacrament, ordinance, or symbol—and how this passage helps us evaluate those viewsWhy Paul can say Christ did not send him “to baptize, but to preach the gospel,” and what that reveals about what is essential for salvationHow “cleverness of speech” can empty the cross of its power, and the modern temptation to make the gospel more attractive by downplaying sin and the crossWhat 1 Corinthians 1 suggests about denominations, unity, and why theology sometimes must divide us—and when it should notHow to distinguish between essentials of the gospel and non-essential practices, while resisting the urge to judge fellow believers over preferences and traditionsAfter listening, you’ll come away with a clearer understanding of where baptism fits in God’s purposes: a meaningful sign that points to faith, but not the source of salvation itself. You’ll be better equipped to evaluate teaching by its faithfulness to the gospel rather than its style, to think more wisely about church divisions and denominations, and to pursue a kind of unity that grows out of shared allegiance to Christ and His cross—not to any particular leader, ritual, or worship style.Series: 1 Corinthians: Pride & Prejudice in the ChurchMost people fail at Bible study because no one ever taught them how. Bible Study Boot Camp fixes that: one short email a day for a week, plus a worksheet you can use on any passage for the rest of your life.Sign up for Bible Study Boot Camp