Cases
of Conversion: The Conversion of the Corinthians
The apostle Paul writes two letters to the church in Corinth that are a part of every New Testament. In his first letter, he references the baptism of Crispus and Gaius, two members of the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 1:14). Many try to use this passage in Corinthians to belittle baptism. Yet, the context shows Paul’s intention was not to downplay baptism but the tendency of some to idolize certain teachers of God’s Word (1:10-13).
In fact, look at the book of Acts and notice baptism was an integral part of the conversion of the Corinthians. Acts 18:1 documents that Paul entered Corinth after spending time in Antioch. Apparently, Paul tried to teach the Jews of the synagogue but many of them rejected his teaching (19:4-6). So, Paul began to teach about Jesus Christ in a house next door to the synagogue (19:7). It is in this home where we first find Crispus, the one Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians.
Acts 18:8 says, “Then Crispus, the ruler of the
synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the
Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.” After their
conversion, Paul stays in that city for a year and a half (Acts 18:11).
It is difficult to find a more concise and plain reading of the process of conversion. It requires hearing about why “Jesus is the Christ” (Acts 18:5). It requires believing the message preached. Crispus believed and his baptism followed. Yet, many of the Jews and Greeks did not believe but rejected Paul’s teaching.
Finally, Crispus was baptized into Jesus Christ. This baptism added him to the body of Christ. In fact, Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:13, “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…” This “one body” is the “body of Christ” and we become “members individually” when we obey God’s plan of salvation (1 Corinthians 12:12, 27).
Do you know why Jesus is the Son of God? Do you believe? Have you obeyed by being baptized into Christ?
March 2007