Baptism According to Paul: The Example of 1 Corinthians

What is the importance of baptism according to Paul? The Pauline references to baptism are limited in number and distribution. 1 Corinthians is the Pauline epistle with the highest number of references to it. Therefore, we chose to concentrate our inquiry on this letter. In the article, individual baptismal terms are analyzed according to their literary context, and to the function they have in the place of their occurrence. As a result, baptism is used as an element that is always functional to Paul’s argumentative purposes, whereas its intrinsic value is never deeply examined. Nevertheless, we have ten occurrences of the verb βαπτίζω in 1 Corinthians, and it appears clear that baptism has relevance in the life of both the Christian community, and for Paul himself. Though indirectly, the Apostle provides some interesting theological remarks about it throughout the epistle. In an original manner the article focuses on baptism in 1 Corinthians and gives a new interpretation of the famous crux interpretum of 1 Cor 15:29.