What does being born again mean?
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People should be very slow to decide for others what will or will not work. To Elijah He spoke in a still small voice, but surely God is not limited to that specific means of communicating or acting.
What do we, each of us, know about God and the Way of God? Only what He has allowed us to know. We may all be moving toward the Light [or not?], but carefully and prayerfully let us leave the final judgements and understandings in His most capable hands.
Give God the glory!
Bob Estey
Well-Known Member
One has to give up their own ambitions and adopt the ambitions the Lord has for us. They are superior to our own.
To be born again means to be washed with regeneration and renewing in the Holy Ghost.
This happens "not through works of righteousness which we have done" (Titus 3:5).
However, being regenerated and renewed means that we are now inclined towards doing good works; in fact, now that we are born again we ought to be zealous for good works (Titus 2:14).
However, to him that worketh not, but believeth on him who justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness (Romans 4:5).
This indicates that salvation is a free gift.
The gift itself is righteousness (Romans 5:17).
And righteousness is a practical thing (1 John 3:7, Matthew 5:6, Romans 5:19).
So, while we are not born again through any works that we might do, once we are born again it should be true of us that we will begin to walk in good works.
For the love of the Lord is shed abroad in our hearts through the infilling of the Holy Ghost (Romans 5:5).
And the genuine love being spoken of there is not impractical (1 John 3:17-18).
This happens "not through works of righteousness which we have done" (Titus 3:5).
However, being regenerated and renewed means that we are now inclined towards doing good works; in fact, now that we are born again we ought to be zealous for good works (Titus 2:14).
However, to him that worketh not, but believeth on him who justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness (Romans 4:5).
This indicates that salvation is a free gift.
The gift itself is righteousness (Romans 5:17).
And righteousness is a practical thing (1 John 3:7, Matthew 5:6, Romans 5:19).
So, while we are not born again through any works that we might do, once we are born again it should be true of us that we will begin to walk in good works.
For the love of the Lord is shed abroad in our hearts through the infilling of the Holy Ghost (Romans 5:5).
And the genuine love being spoken of there is not impractical (1 John 3:17-18).
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Bible Highlighter
Well-Known Member
There are many things that are taught in God's Word which are not not spelled out directly.
However, this teaching is implied based on what certain verses say in the Bible.
Revelation 3:20
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
Ephesians 3:17
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,”
John 1:12
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
Colossians 2:6
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:”
Romans 10:12-13
“...for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Some reject this teaching in the Bible because they don't believe Jesus is God.
Others reject this teaching in the Bible because they came to the faith a different way and they don't actually see the verses on this topic (and they have been blinded by the traditions of men).
Jesus said we can do nothing without Him (John 15:5).
For faithful believers can say to each other, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Colossians 1:27
“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”
Bible Highlighter
Well-Known Member
Bible Highlighter
Well-Known Member
Being born again by the Spirit means one has received a new heart with new desires by the Holy Spirit and they received the gift of the Spirit. The old man is crucified and put to death. We are a new creation or new creature in Christ Jesus.
As for being born of water:
Ephesians 5:25-27 says that Christ gave Himself for the church so that He might sanctify us with the washing of the water of the Word so that He might present to Himself a church who is holy, blameless, without spot, or wrinkle, etc.
25 "...even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
(Ephesians 5:25-27).
Jesus says, "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." (John 15:3).
"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word." (Psalms 119:9).
So the water = the Word of God.
So when a person is said to be born of water, it is not talking about baptism, or being born physically into this world, but it is talking about being born again by the Holy Scriptures.
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (1 Peter 1:23).
What is the context of the words “the word of God” in 1 Peter 1:23? Is it Jesus (the Living Word) or is it the communicated Word of God (Scripture)?
1 Peter 2:1-2 says,
“Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”
As for being born of water:
Ephesians 5:25-27 says that Christ gave Himself for the church so that He might sanctify us with the washing of the water of the Word so that He might present to Himself a church who is holy, blameless, without spot, or wrinkle, etc.
25 "...even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
(Ephesians 5:25-27).
Jesus says, "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." (John 15:3).
"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word." (Psalms 119:9).
So the water = the Word of God.
So when a person is said to be born of water, it is not talking about baptism, or being born physically into this world, but it is talking about being born again by the Holy Scriptures.
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (1 Peter 1:23).
What is the context of the words “the word of God” in 1 Peter 1:23? Is it Jesus (the Living Word) or is it the communicated Word of God (Scripture)?
1 Peter 2:1-2 says,
“Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”
Bible Highlighter
Well-Known Member
Bible Highlighter
Well-Known Member
The seed of the Parable of the Sower is the (communicated) Word of God (Luke 8:11).
“He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;” (Matthew 13:37).
“He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;” (Matthew 13:37).
Bible Highlighter
Well-Known Member
Some think that being born of water is referring to our natural birth.
This is not so.
Jesus says, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5).
Jesus says that except a man be born of water…. he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Nicodemus was confused because he thought Jesus was speaking in physical terms about being born again.
Being born again by the Spirit, and being born again by water is entirely spiritual thing.
This is not so.
Jesus says, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5).
Jesus says that except a man be born of water…. he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Nicodemus was confused because he thought Jesus was speaking in physical terms about being born again.
Being born again by the Spirit, and being born again by water is entirely spiritual thing.
Bible Highlighter
Well-Known Member
I believe that being born again of water as being spiritually awakened to what God’s Word says.
You tremble at His Word.
It speaks to you.
You don’t seek to change what His Word says because His Word is holy to you.
This can only be revealed to a person by the Spirit.
Many Christians today seek to change what the Bible says for their own reasons.
Sure, they may not print a new translation that they created, but they simply don’t believe the Word of God as it is plainly written.
They become the authority on what the Word says or they let a scholar or pastor become the authority.
They cannot just read and believe the Bible with the help of God on their own.
This is what it means to be born again of water. The Word of God is alive to you when you read it. It speaks to you.
It’s not a dead book like when we were unbelievers.
You tremble at His Word.
It speaks to you.
You don’t seek to change what His Word says because His Word is holy to you.
This can only be revealed to a person by the Spirit.
Many Christians today seek to change what the Bible says for their own reasons.
Sure, they may not print a new translation that they created, but they simply don’t believe the Word of God as it is plainly written.
They become the authority on what the Word says or they let a scholar or pastor become the authority.
They cannot just read and believe the Bible with the help of God on their own.
This is what it means to be born again of water. The Word of God is alive to you when you read it. It speaks to you.
It’s not a dead book like when we were unbelievers.
I do believe that Acts of the Apostles 2:38 provides for us a conditional promise that if we fulfill the condition we will be recipients of the promise.
2Pe 1:3, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2Pe 1:4, Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2Co 1:20, For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
Heb 11:33, Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Rom 4:20, He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
Rom 4:21, And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Rom 4:22, And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
To me, comparing Acts of the Apostles 2:39 to Romans 8:30 makes not fulfilling the condition in Acts of the Apostles 2:38 kind of scary!
2Pe 1:3, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2Pe 1:4, Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2Co 1:20, For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
Heb 11:33, Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Rom 4:20, He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
Rom 4:21, And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Rom 4:22, And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
To me, comparing Acts of the Apostles 2:39 to Romans 8:30 makes not fulfilling the condition in Acts of the Apostles 2:38 kind of scary!
Bible Highlighter
Well-Known Member
Born again by the Spirit, means you have been changed spiritually and you abide in the Spirit and you are awakened to the Spirit’s leading.
Born again by the water means you have been changed by the message of God’s Word and you have been awakened by His words and you abide in those words and it’s leading as if God is actually speaking to you (through His Holy Word, i.e. the Bible).
See again my verses in post #47.
Born again by the water means you have been changed by the message of God’s Word and you have been awakened by His words and you abide in those words and it’s leading as if God is actually speaking to you (through His Holy Word, i.e. the Bible).
See again my verses in post #47.
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Yes, no doubt, the word has a cleansing effect on the soul and we are indeed washed in water by the word.
What do you make of the idea of Acts of the Apostles 2:38 as a conditional promise?
Bible Highlighter
Well-Known Member
I am aware of the baptismal regeneration viewpoint for a long time now and I have discussed this with other believers many times, and it is not biblical in the slightest sense (In my humble opinion).
First, I believe the Bible teaches there are two aspects of salvation that the believer needs to be concerned about in this life.
#1. Believers are initially saved by God’s grace without works by faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior, and in believing the gospel message in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (Which can also include seeking forgiveness of one’s past life of sin with the Lord Jesus) (See: Ephesians 2:8-9) (Romans 4:2-5) (Titus 3:5).
#2. Believers need to enter the Sanctification of the Holy Spirit to live a holy life and they need to believe God’s Word or they need to believe the core key doctrines therein (2 Thessalonians 2:13) (Romans 8:13). Living holy by God’s Spirit includes putting away sin, good works by the Lord doing the good work through you, and with one keeping themselves unspotted from this world. This is not the Protestant viewpoint that says that it is not for the removal of the penalty of sin. That is false. 1 John 1:7 makes it clear that walking in the light (loving your brother) is a part of the blood of Jesus cleansing us from all sin.
#2. Believers need to enter the Sanctification of the Holy Spirit to live a holy life and they need to believe God’s Word or they need to believe the core key doctrines therein (2 Thessalonians 2:13) (Romans 8:13). Living holy by God’s Spirit includes putting away sin, good works by the Lord doing the good work through you, and with one keeping themselves unspotted from this world. This is not the Protestant viewpoint that says that it is not for the removal of the penalty of sin. That is false. 1 John 1:7 makes it clear that walking in the light (loving your brother) is a part of the blood of Jesus cleansing us from all sin.
Second, seeing we are saved by God’s grace without works in our Initial Salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9) (Romans 4:2-5) (Titus 3:5) (Romans 11:6), then works like being water baptized cannot be salvific. This makes sense because Peter basically says in 1 Peter 3:21 that baptism saves us not for the putting away of the filth of the flesh (sin or as some kind of outward cleansing ritual), but it saves us as answer to having an already cleansed or cleared conscience (from seeking forgiveness with the Lord Jesus).
Three, we have to take a step out of ourselves for a moment, and investigate things like detective (without any personal bias, preferences, church beliefs, our experience, etcetera) getting in the way. What does the the text really say in regards to John the Baptist water baptizing others and in Peter water baptizing others (like at Pentecost)? When John the Baptist was calling people to repent and be baptized this was to the Jew primarily. So this was a call back to repentance for the Israelites and for them to recognize their coming Messiah (Jesus Christ). Peter also told thousands of Jews to repent and be water baptized at Pentecost. So again, the audience was primarily Jews who needed to repent and come back to God and recognize their Messiah (Jesus Christ). These were not new Gentile believers coming to having faith in God for the first time. Yet, we try to make these types of events refer to our Initial Salvation as Gentiles. That’s not good hermeneutics. Jesus made it clear that he first came to the lost tribe of the house of Israel first. In fact, in Acts of the Apostles 2:38, this was said to the Jew and not the Gentile. In Acts 10: We learn that the gift of the Holy Spirit was given to Cornelius and his household when they heard the gospel message from Peter BEFORE they were water baptized. But if we are to believe Acts of the Apostles 2:38, Peter says to repent and be baptized to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. It appears God had others plans in mind beyond that one event or in what Peter said at Pentecost because God breaks that mold in Acts 10 by the Spirit being gifted BEFORE being water baptized.
Four, while there are other verses, I believe the following verses are the strongest case for Spirit baptism being the one and only baptism as mentioned in Ephesians 4:5:
#1. Paul says he came not to baptize but to preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 1:17).
#2. Jesus says John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost (Acts of the Apostles 1:5).
#3. Cornelius and his household receive the Holy Spirit before being water baptized (Acts of the Apostles 10:34-45).
#4. Apollos only knew of John's baptism and he needed to be shown the way of God more perfectly (Acts of the Apostles 18:24-26).
#5. Paul had to Spirit baptize certain disciples at Ephesus who only knew of John's water baptism (Acts of the Apostles 19:1-7).
#2. Jesus says John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost (Acts of the Apostles 1:5).
#3. Cornelius and his household receive the Holy Spirit before being water baptized (Acts of the Apostles 10:34-45).
#4. Apollos only knew of John's baptism and he needed to be shown the way of God more perfectly (Acts of the Apostles 18:24-26).
#5. Paul had to Spirit baptize certain disciples at Ephesus who only knew of John's water baptism (Acts of the Apostles 19:1-7).
Please carefully pray over these verses and meditate on what these words say and don’t seek to change them (because of a belief you currently have). Let God’s Word and the Spirit guide you into what His Word says plainly.
Side Note:
I will attempt to explain Acts 2:38 in more detail in my next post to you.
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Bible Highlighter
Well-Known Member
@heartwashed
In Acts of the Apostles 2:38: I believe Peter was speaking the correct words by the Spirit, but his understanding was not correct on what the word “baptize” meant for the New Covenant. Thus, Peter baptized with water (fulfilling OT pictures and symbols of the inward reality), but the Lord truly desired him to be more perfect on this matter and to simply baptize only with the Spirit (Which is not his own work alone, but the work of God). For at Pentecost: The 3,000 were indeed to be baptized but the real baptism was ultimately to be by the Spirit and not by water (Which was more fully realized by the apostle Paul). We have to understand that the disciples acted in obedience to the Lord's words in ways that were not always in perfect understanding. For example: Jesus told his disciples to buy a sword. While the Lord allowed their misunderstanding to fulfill prophecy, the real meaning of what our Lord meant was the spiritual sword (the Word of God, Scripture) because Jesus rebuked Peter for chopping off Malchus's ear. Jesus said that he that lives by the sword shall die by the sword. So Peter’s understanding was not perfect. But his words at Pentecost are 100% true.
Acts of the Apostles 2:38
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Repent means to seek forgiveness with the Lord by way of prayer to Him over your sins (To see the biblical proof that “repent” means to seek forgiveness with the Lord: See my write up here and here).
In fact, in Mark 1:4-5, it says John preached the "baptism of repentance" for the remission of sins (verse 4), and it then defines this "baptism of repentance" by saying they confessed their sins when they were baptized (verse 5).
Romans 6:4
“…we are buried with him by baptism into death…”
Romans 6:5
“…if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death,…”
We are buried with Christ in baptism - Romans 6:4.
But… this baptism is in the LIKENESS of his death (Meaning, it is a symbolic picture).
Jesus’ death washed away our sins literally with His death.
This applies to our life when we come to the Lord by faith or belief in Jesus as the Savior or believing the gospel message and or in seeking forgiveness with the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s God’s grace and not works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Note: This does not mean there is not a secondary aspect of salvation that follows in living holy unto the Lord by the Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2:13) (Romans 8:13).
But believers are Initially Saved by God’s grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-9) (Romans 4:3-5) (Titus 3:5).
Water baptism was a symbolic of Christ’s death and Christ’s death washed away sin. When a person seeks forgiveness of their sins with Jesus (Which is repentance), this is the sacrifice of Christ being applied to their life. They are being forgiven of their sin by trusting in what Christ did for us with His death, burial, and resurrection. So repentance (seeking forgiveness with the Lord Jesus) is the literal remittance of sin, and the baptism in water part in Acts 2:38 is the symbolic picture of what repentance by faith, and believing in the redemption of Christ accomplished. The act of baptism does not save because Peter basically says that baptism does now save us not for the filth of the flesh (sin), but as an answer of having an already cleansed conscience before God. They had a cleansed conscience by their confessing their sins to the Lord Jesus and trusting in His death, burial, and resurrection for salvation.
Why would I believe this way?
Well, if Acts of the Apostles 2:38 was the only verse in the Bible, then I probably would conclude as you do.
But there are other verses that flat out contradict Acts of the Apostles 2:38 (like 1 Corinthians 1:17, etcetera).
But we know God’s Word does not contradict itself and so we have to compare Scripture with Scripture to properly harmonize it.
In Acts of the Apostles 2:38: I believe Peter was speaking the correct words by the Spirit, but his understanding was not correct on what the word “baptize” meant for the New Covenant. Thus, Peter baptized with water (fulfilling OT pictures and symbols of the inward reality), but the Lord truly desired him to be more perfect on this matter and to simply baptize only with the Spirit (Which is not his own work alone, but the work of God). For at Pentecost: The 3,000 were indeed to be baptized but the real baptism was ultimately to be by the Spirit and not by water (Which was more fully realized by the apostle Paul). We have to understand that the disciples acted in obedience to the Lord's words in ways that were not always in perfect understanding. For example: Jesus told his disciples to buy a sword. While the Lord allowed their misunderstanding to fulfill prophecy, the real meaning of what our Lord meant was the spiritual sword (the Word of God, Scripture) because Jesus rebuked Peter for chopping off Malchus's ear. Jesus said that he that lives by the sword shall die by the sword. So Peter’s understanding was not perfect. But his words at Pentecost are 100% true.
Acts of the Apostles 2:38
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Repent means to seek forgiveness with the Lord by way of prayer to Him over your sins (To see the biblical proof that “repent” means to seek forgiveness with the Lord: See my write up here and here).
In fact, in Mark 1:4-5, it says John preached the "baptism of repentance" for the remission of sins (verse 4), and it then defines this "baptism of repentance" by saying they confessed their sins when they were baptized (verse 5).
Romans 6:4
“…we are buried with him by baptism into death…”
Romans 6:5
“…if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death,…”
We are buried with Christ in baptism - Romans 6:4.
But… this baptism is in the LIKENESS of his death (Meaning, it is a symbolic picture).
Jesus’ death washed away our sins literally with His death.
This applies to our life when we come to the Lord by faith or belief in Jesus as the Savior or believing the gospel message and or in seeking forgiveness with the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s God’s grace and not works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Note: This does not mean there is not a secondary aspect of salvation that follows in living holy unto the Lord by the Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2:13) (Romans 8:13).
But believers are Initially Saved by God’s grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-9) (Romans 4:3-5) (Titus 3:5).
Water baptism was a symbolic of Christ’s death and Christ’s death washed away sin. When a person seeks forgiveness of their sins with Jesus (Which is repentance), this is the sacrifice of Christ being applied to their life. They are being forgiven of their sin by trusting in what Christ did for us with His death, burial, and resurrection. So repentance (seeking forgiveness with the Lord Jesus) is the literal remittance of sin, and the baptism in water part in Acts 2:38 is the symbolic picture of what repentance by faith, and believing in the redemption of Christ accomplished. The act of baptism does not save because Peter basically says that baptism does now save us not for the filth of the flesh (sin), but as an answer of having an already cleansed conscience before God. They had a cleansed conscience by their confessing their sins to the Lord Jesus and trusting in His death, burial, and resurrection for salvation.
Why would I believe this way?
Well, if Acts of the Apostles 2:38 was the only verse in the Bible, then I probably would conclude as you do.
But there are other verses that flat out contradict Acts of the Apostles 2:38 (like 1 Corinthians 1:17, etcetera).
But we know God’s Word does not contradict itself and so we have to compare Scripture with Scripture to properly harmonize it.
Hello @Bible Highlighter,
My first question to you is do you believe that water baptism is not actual baptism?
I ask this because of your statement where you said that Holy Spirit baptism is the only real baptism.
Secondly, have you considered baptism in Jesus' Name; not as a work; but as a point of contact for faith?
(such as when they took handkerchiefs and aprons from Paul and demons came out of people and others were healed simply by touching the cloths).
I consider that Acts of the Apostles 2:38 presents to us a conditional promise and that if we fulfill the condition of the promise, we can most assuredly obtain the promise.
re #56 (I have not yet read your post #57).
My first question to you is do you believe that water baptism is not actual baptism?
I ask this because of your statement where you said that Holy Spirit baptism is the only real baptism.
Secondly, have you considered baptism in Jesus' Name; not as a work; but as a point of contact for faith?
(such as when they took handkerchiefs and aprons from Paul and demons came out of people and others were healed simply by touching the cloths).
I consider that Acts of the Apostles 2:38 presents to us a conditional promise and that if we fulfill the condition of the promise, we can most assuredly obtain the promise.
re #56 (I have not yet read your post #57).
It seems redundant to me.
If the baptism being spoken of in Acts of the Apostles 2:38 should in all reality be referring to the baptism of the Spirit, why then is the Holy Spirit promised as a result?
Here, it would seem, one is given the promise of the Holy Ghost as the result of being baptized in the Holy Ghost; that is, if your interpretation is correct.
1 Corinthians 1:17 is qualified by Acts of the Apostles 18:8.
God did not send Paul to baptize; and therefore he only baptized three people in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:14-16).
Paul was not called to baptize but to preach the gospel.
So, he adopted Jesus' strategy of having his disciples do the baptizing (John 4:1-2).
For it should be clear (Acts of the Apostles 18:8) that many more in Corinth were baptized, other than Crispus and Gauis and Stephanas.
God did not send Paul to baptize; and therefore he only baptized three people in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:14-16).
Paul was not called to baptize but to preach the gospel.
So, he adopted Jesus' strategy of having his disciples do the baptizing (John 4:1-2).
For it should be clear (Acts of the Apostles 18:8) that many more in Corinth were baptized, other than Crispus and Gauis and Stephanas.
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