Often asserted to uphold water baptizing the members of the church today, the body of Christ, is the scripture in which Paul baptized.
This issue is not directly explained in scripture, however we can examine scripture, find related passages, and make some valid conclusions without being dogmatic.
[Phl 3:5 KJV] 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, [of] the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Paul was a jew.
[Phl 3:6 KJV] 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
[Act 22:3 KJV] 3 I am verily a man [which am] a Jew, born in Tarsus, [a city] in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, [and] taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
[Gal 1:14 KJV] 14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Paul knew the law and was zealous in keeping it.
[Heb 9:1, 10 KJV] 1 Then verily the first [covenant] had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. ... 10 [Which stood] only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed [on them] until the time of reformation.
The first covenant obligated Israel to follow all the statutes which included the washings which are baptisms for purification (Leviticus 18:5).
[1Co 7:20 KJV] 20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
Paul did not tell Jewish converts to stop obeying the law or traditions, therefore after conversion they would be baptized according to the commandment (Acts 21:20-21 John 4:2 Acts 2:38 8:12)
[1Co 10:32 KJV] 32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
Paul did not want to offend the Jews by not baptizing converts. It was also for this reason of not offending Paul followed the law to accommodate the Jews when he circumcised Timothy (Acts 16:3). Paul also took a vow with the Jews (Acts 21:23-27)
[1Co 9:20 KJV] 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
Paul became as under the law to not offend the Jews and to win them to Christ. This could well have been another reason to baptize.
[1Co 1:17 KJV] 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.
Paul was not sent as John the Baptist to baptize, but to preach the gospel. Baptism is not part of the gospel of Paul. If baptism was needed for any purpose or commanded, it cannot be found in the epistles of Paul.
[1Co 12:13 KJV] 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
This is the baptism Paul preached.
This issue is not directly explained in scripture, however we can examine scripture, find related passages, and make some valid conclusions without being dogmatic.
[Phl 3:5 KJV] 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, [of] the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Paul was a jew.
[Phl 3:6 KJV] 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
[Act 22:3 KJV] 3 I am verily a man [which am] a Jew, born in Tarsus, [a city] in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, [and] taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
[Gal 1:14 KJV] 14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Paul knew the law and was zealous in keeping it.
[Heb 9:1, 10 KJV] 1 Then verily the first [covenant] had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. ... 10 [Which stood] only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed [on them] until the time of reformation.
The first covenant obligated Israel to follow all the statutes which included the washings which are baptisms for purification (Leviticus 18:5).
[1Co 7:20 KJV] 20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
Paul did not tell Jewish converts to stop obeying the law or traditions, therefore after conversion they would be baptized according to the commandment (Acts 21:20-21 John 4:2 Acts 2:38 8:12)
[1Co 10:32 KJV] 32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
Paul did not want to offend the Jews by not baptizing converts. It was also for this reason of not offending Paul followed the law to accommodate the Jews when he circumcised Timothy (Acts 16:3). Paul also took a vow with the Jews (Acts 21:23-27)
[1Co 9:20 KJV] 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
Paul became as under the law to not offend the Jews and to win them to Christ. This could well have been another reason to baptize.
[1Co 1:17 KJV] 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.
Paul was not sent as John the Baptist to baptize, but to preach the gospel. Baptism is not part of the gospel of Paul. If baptism was needed for any purpose or commanded, it cannot be found in the epistles of Paul.
[1Co 12:13 KJV] 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
This is the baptism Paul preached.
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