Fair enough, I will explain:
The following will prove that you have indeed twisted 1 Corinthians 1:17, to mean something Paul never intended:
PAUL EMULATES CHRIST
1Co 11:1-2: Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
Paul's Helpers Baptized Like the Lord's Disciples Baptized
(John 4:2)
1Co 1:10-17: Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. *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.
*Note:
Verse 17 above is often cited by naysayers as evidence against baptism, yet when examined in the context of the letter, and in the context of the scriptures, and in the light of the Gospel, the evidence not only shows that their use of the verse is fully erroneous, but that this same letter to the Corinthians, much to their chagrin, contains more mentions and teachings, concerning baptism, than any other letter by Paul or any other apostle! Furthermore, it serves to contribute to the substantiation of the doctrine that all Christians are authorized to baptize as commanded by the Lord. Paul's practice, as stated by himself above, is an emulation of Christ, in accordance with the very practice of Christ Himself [Jhn-4:2].
Following is a simple diagram of this first letter to the Corinthians, divided in three parts, commencing with the detail to the above reference made by Paul, which is found in Acts ch.18, wherein the identity of Crispus is found to be none other than the Chief Ruler of the Synagogue (this fact should speak for itself concerning the kind of help Paul had at Corinth); moreover, the Corinthians baptized at the time are described as many; this rightly raises the question, 'Who baptized the many Corinthians, if Paul baptized "none", save the aforementioned exceptions?' The second part continues the diagram with the closing of 1st Corinthians, which provides unequivocal evidence, that Paul, like all other messengers of Christ, had helpers called firstfruits, which performed the baptizing: This is in obedience to the commandment of the Lord, to make others like themselves, all, disciples of the Lord. The third part concludes with the summary of teachings on baptism found in this letter, which are, shamefully--to the naysayers--more numerous than any other epistle by anyone:
Part 1:
The Reference to Paul's Statement
Act 18:1-11: After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome) and came unto them. 3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. 5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. 7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. 8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. 9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
Part 2:
The Closing of the Letter Containing the Exhortation
for Submission to Paul's Fellow Labourers
Who are Called the Firstfruits
1Co 16:15-17: I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) 16 That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. 17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.
Part 3:
Summary of Baptism Teachings Found in 1st Corinthians
First Doctrine:
Paul's Warning that Baptism and Spiritual Gifts do not Preclude Obedience
1Co 10:1-6: Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
Second Doctrine:
We are All Baptized into One and All Drink into One
1Co 12:11-13, 25: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 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... ...25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
Third Doctrine:
Our Baptism is without purpose if Christ did not
Rise from the Dead
1Co 15:12-35: Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. 29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? 30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? 31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. 33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
All of the above proves your misunderstanding and misuse (twisting) of 1 Corinthians 1:17.
EDIT: The algorithm displays a smiley face for some KJV punctuation marks, so I've had to alter the colon and parenthesis combination in one verse to remove the smiley face it renders.
