The Baptism myth

No issue in Christian history seems to have caused more problems in proportion to its size than the issue of water baptism.

As mentioned in the church myth, St. Paul had discovered by the time he wrote his first letter to the church at Corinth that baptism, and particularly who performed the baptism, was becoming an excuse for divisions.
Paul exclaims in exasperation, I thank God that I baptised none of you...For Christ sent me not to baptise, but to preach ..."(1 Corinthians 1:14-17)
But how does this line up with Christ's great commission in Matthew 28:19-20? "Go teach all nations, baptising them, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."
The problem comes from confusing John the Baptist with Jesus. John taught, "I baptise with water, but he (Christ) shall baptise with the Holy Ghost." (Luke 3:16) Are we disciples of Christ or disciples of John?
Water baptism was a Jewish symbol of commitment to God, and, as a Jew, Christ fulfilled the symbol by being baptised in water by John. (Mat. 3:13-15)
Jesus later taught, "The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time, the kingdom of God is preached." (Luke 16:16) So, John's baptism has nothing to do with Christianity. (See also Luke 7:28)
Although Christ tolerated water baptisms on the part of his disciples, he refused to perform them himself. (John 4:2)
Paul taught that there is only on Christian baptism (Ephesians 4:2), but after the early Christians were baptised (or "covered") with God's Spirit on the day of Pentecost, they still tried to make Jews out of Gentile Christians. Non-Jews (e.g. the Ethiopian eunuch and Roman centurion) were expected to be circumcised, water baptised, and to follow Jewish health rules. Later, however, the requirements were shortened to two simple rules: avoid fornication and idolatry.
So how does a Christian baptise someone with the Holy Spirit? Look again at the great commission quoted above: Teach them what Christ taught us. Jesus said, "The words that I speak unto you are spirit and life." (John 6:63) WE baptise (or "cover") people with Christ's teachings; THEY accept what they hear; and GOD gives them his Spirit.
But this is all too simple for the baptism mythologists!

Bible References:

1 Corinthians 1:14-17:Ithank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Matthew 28:19-20: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Luke 3:16: John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

Matthew 3:13-15: Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

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Luke 16:16: The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

Luke 7:28: For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

John 4:2: (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

Ephesians 4:2: With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.

John 6:63: It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

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