Sunday, January 15: Scripture – 1 Corinthians 1:12-17
12 What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”
13 Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,
15 so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name.
16 I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel—and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.
Prayer Focus: I once saw a humorous advertisement by a church looking for a new preacher that referenced these verses. The ad said the church was looking for someone who could not remember if they’d baptized anyone and who proclaimed the gospel without eloquent wisdom. It’s a good reminder that the apostle Paul would probably not be at the top of the list for many pastor nominating committees today! Pray for those who lead the church – pastors, elders, and deacons. Pray that they might not act in ways that diminish the cross of Christ and its power. Pray that they might remember it’s all about Jesus.
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