1 Corinthians 1:15 – “so no one can say that you were baptized in my name.”
Extended Explanation
Paul is continuing his argument against division in the Corinthian church. He had just stated in the previous verse that he was thankful he had only baptized a few people in Corinth—Crispus and Gaius—so that no one could claim to be baptized in his name.
The issue in Corinth was that some believers were aligning themselves with different church leaders, creating factions. Some were saying, “I follow Paul,” while others claimed allegiance to Apollos or Peter (1 Corinthians 1:12). Paul wanted to make it clear that faith is not about following human teachers but about following Jesus Christ.
By saying, “so no one can say that you were baptized in my name,” Paul is rejecting any idea that baptism should be tied to a person’s reputation or leadership. Baptism is not about the person performing it—it is about the one into whom believers are baptized: Jesus Christ.
Paul’s concern was that people might start thinking baptism was a way to identify with a certain leader, rather than seeing it as a declaration of faith in Christ. He wanted to remove any possibility of people claiming loyalty to him instead of to Jesus.
Historical Context
The church in Corinth was struggling with divisions. Corinth was a major city in Greece, filled with people from different backgrounds. Many of them were used to following specific philosophers or teachers, much like we see today with people choosing to follow certain speakers or influencers. This cultural mindset carried over into the church, where believers were aligning themselves with different Christian leaders.
Paul, Apollos, and Peter were all respected leaders in the early church. Each had different strengths—Paul was a deep theologian, Apollos was a gifted speaker, and Peter was one of Jesus’ original disciples. Instead of focusing on Christ, the Corinthians were focusing on the men who had taught them, which led to divisions.
In the early church, baptism was an important public declaration of faith. It symbolized a person’s commitment to Jesus. However, in Corinth, people were beginning to associate their baptism with the person who performed it, rather than the Lord in whose name they were baptized. Paul wanted to put an end to this way of thinking.
Theological Implications
This verse reinforces an important truth: salvation comes through Jesus Christ, not through any human leader.
Baptism is a significant step in the Christian life, but the person who baptizes you does not matter—what matters is that you are baptized into Christ. Faith is not about belonging to a certain group, pastor, or church—it is about belonging to Jesus.
Paul’s statement also teaches a valuable lesson about humility in ministry. He was an apostle, but he did not seek personal recognition. His goal was not to build a following for himself, but to point people to Christ. True Christian leadership should never be about personal fame, but about serving Jesus.
Literary Analysis
This verse is part of Paul’s argument against division. It comes after he asks the Corinthians a series of rhetorical questions:
- “Is Christ divided?” (No.)
- “Was Paul crucified for you?” (No.)
- “Were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (No.)
These questions drive home the point that only Jesus deserves their ultimate allegiance. Paul then explains that he baptized very few people so that no one could claim baptism in his name. His wording is straightforward, emphasizing that baptism should never be a source of division or pride.
The phrase “so no one can say” suggests that Paul was aware of the danger of people twisting baptism into something it was never meant to be—a status symbol rather than an act of obedience to Christ.
Biblical Cross-References
- Matthew 28:19 – Jesus commands baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, not in the name of any human leader.
- Romans 6:3-4 – Baptism symbolizes being united with Christ in His death and resurrection, not with any person or denomination.
- 1 Corinthians 3:5-7 – Paul explains that he and Apollos are only servants—God is the one who brings spiritual growth.
- Ephesians 4:4-6 – There is one body and one baptism; the focus is on unity in Christ, not on human leaders.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
This verse reminds us to keep our faith centered on Jesus, not on human leaders or denominations.
In today’s world, it’s easy to admire certain pastors, speakers, or theologians. While it’s good to learn from godly teachers, no one should take the place of Christ in our hearts. We should never let loyalty to a particular church or leader overshadow our commitment to Jesus.
It also reminds us that baptism is about identifying with Jesus, not about being part of a specific church or movement. Whether a person is baptized by a famous preacher or an unknown pastor, the important thing is that they belong to Christ.
For Christian leaders, Paul’s words set an example of humility. True ministry is not about building a personal following—it’s about leading people to Jesus.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is seen in how He calls people to Himself through Jesus, not through human personalities. He wants His people to be united in Christ, not divided over leaders or traditions.
God’s love is also shown in the simplicity of the gospel. There are no special qualifications for salvation—no need to be baptized by a certain person, no requirement to follow a specific human leader. Everyone who puts their faith in Jesus is equally part of God’s family.
This verse is a reminder that God’s love is personal. He does not want us to get distracted by earthly things—He wants us to experience the joy of knowing Him.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Paul’s statement in this verse directly points to Jesus as the only one worthy of our faith.
- Jesus is the focus of baptism – He commanded baptism in His name, making it a sign of belonging to Him (Matthew 28:19).
- Jesus is the one who unites believers – Paul’s argument is that Christ is not divided. All who believe in Him are one in Him (Galatians 3:27-28).
- Jesus is the one who saves – Paul made it clear that he was not crucified for anyone—only Jesus died for our sins (1 Peter 2:24).
This verse helps us see that Jesus is at the center of the Christian faith. Anything that takes our focus off of Him—whether it’s a leader, a tradition, or a group—is a distraction from the true gospel.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Have you ever found yourself focusing more on a pastor or church leader than on Jesus?
- What does this verse teach about the role of baptism in the Christian life?
- How can you help promote unity in your church instead of division?
- Why do you think people are sometimes drawn to human leaders more than to Christ?
- How can you make sure your faith is centered on Jesus and not on any person or group?
Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 1:15 challenge us to keep our eyes on Jesus. He alone is our Savior, and He alone deserves our full devotion. When we focus on Him, unity and love will follow.