The Bible and Baptism by Isaac Augustine OP Morales

Author:Isaac Augustine OP Morales [Morales, Isaac Augustine OP]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sacraments/Biblical Theology;Baptism—Catholic Church;Baptism—Biblical teaching;Sacraments—Catholic Church;REL055010;REL006000;REL010000
ISBN: 9781493436828
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2022-05-17T00:00:00+00:00

“Were You Baptized in the Name of Paul?”

Temple imagery pervades 1 Corinthians. Paul repeatedly appeals to the Corinthians’ status as God’s temple and draws on language associated with Israel’s feasts in order to ground his instruction.16 In a subtle way Paul also draws on the significance of the name of the Lord, particularly as it relates to the temple and to baptism.

Paul addresses the letter “to the church of God that is in Corinth” and reminds the Corinthians that they are “called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours” (1 Cor. 1:2). As we have seen, in the Old Testament the idea of calling upon the name of the Lord often connotes liturgical worship. It is possible, moreover, that Paul has a particular reference in mind with this expression. The prophet Malachi, critiquing the corruption of Israel’s priesthood, prophesies, “For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering; for my name is great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts” (Mal. 1:11).17 Three times the prophet emphasizes the glory given to God’s name, and, even more importantly, he affirms that this worship will occur “in every place,” the same phrase Paul uses to describe Christians.

The importance of the name reappears not long after the letter opening, in the context of a reference to baptism. One of the major problems that prompt Paul to write 1 Corinthians is the factionalism plaguing the church at Corinth. At least twice in the letter Paul appeals to baptism to remind the Corinthians of their unity.18 The first such appeal takes place in the opening chapter, where he reminds them of the connection between crucifixion and baptism and of the name in which they were baptized. Castigating them for their allegiance to certain Christian leaders to the exclusion of others, Paul poses a set of rhetorical questions: “Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Cor. 1:13). These questions serve as a reminder that baptism joined the Corinthians first to Christ and then by extension to other Christians (see 1 Cor. 12). In case they miss the point the first time, Paul goes on to state, “I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name” (1:14–15). Because this statement comes so soon after the introduction with its reference to calling upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, it seems likely that Paul understands baptism in close relation to worship. Another allusion to baptism later in the letter makes this connection clearer.

Toward the middle of 1 Corinthians 6, Paul appeals positively to the Corinthians’ baptism as the rite that changed their status: “And this is what some of you used to be.

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