Look at 1 Corinthians 1:15-16. Paul seems to devalue baptism. Rather than that, I think he is trying to clarify a
misunderstanding that many had in that day. There were those who assumed that the person who did the
baptizing then had ownership of the person who was baptized. We can see that in 1 Corinthians 1:12 where Paul gives examples of how people think they belong to the person who baptized them. “I belong to Paul,” one says. Another claims, “I belong to Apollos.” “I belong to Cephas.” It is almost like it is around here when one person shouts, “I belong to the Tar Heels,” and another yells back, “I belong to the Wolfpack!” “I belong to the Pirates,” bellows another. Finally, a talented, intelligent, attractive friend quietly says, “I belong to the Blue
Devils.” (Oops, I couldn’t resist.)
