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1 and 2 Corinthians

  1. Lesson One
    Overview of 1 and 2 Corinthians (Skim 1 and 2 Corinthians)
    24 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  2. Lesson Two
    Holiness in the Context of Freedom (1 Corinthians 5–8, 10, 15)
    20 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  3. Lesson Three
    Unity and Order in the Context of Diversity (1 Corinthians 1–3, 11–14)
    19 Activities
  4. Lesson Four
    Paul's Apostleship (1 Corinthians 4, 9, 16, 2 Corinthians 1–7)
    19 Activities
    |
    3 Assessments
  5. Lesson Five
    Author and Audience (2 Corinthians 8–13)
    25 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

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1 and 2 Corinthians Author and Audience (2 Corinthians 8–13) In | Workbook: A Pre-Pauline Baptismal Formula, Part 2
Lesson 5, Activity 11

In | Workbook: A Pre-Pauline Baptismal Formula, Part 2

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Grab your Workbook Journal!

[Record your answers in the workbook provided at the beginning of this course.]

  1. Why might the parallels between 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:27-28 and Colossians 3:10-11 suggest Paul is drawing on an existing baptismal liturgy or tradition?
A Pre-Pauline Baptismal Formula

While there are minor variations in the three confessions, the structure and message of the three passages are nearly identical. They begin by claiming a renewed and godly life (associated with baptism in two of the three) and rejecting every temporal or cultural distinction that might interfere with the unity of the body of Christ. They all close with an emphasis on unity with God, in Christ and the Spirit.

The consistency of these statements, and Paul’s use of this language with his different audiences, suggests that it’s something his audience already knows. He isn’t teaching this passage as something new but is likely referencing it as something these churches have already accepted. He is leveraging these concepts in support of his broader argument and to expand their understanding of what it means to be the body of Christ.