...and if God is NOT building a NATION OF PRIESTS right now, but a BODY OF BELIEVERS, and Paul was commissioned, as the apostle of the Gentiles, to bring to that Body all the information needed for it, then we can understand WHY he was glad he had baptized so few; that he wasn’t sent to baptize, but to PREACH THE GOSPEL, which is EXACTLY what he said in 1 COr. 1:14,16,17. THe Gospel,WHICH, when believed, places a person, by the Holy Spirit, INTO that BOdy of believers.
He was glad he baptized so few because few could claim to be his disciples - If you recall, folks were claiming to be disciples of many different people - What Paul is saying is that ALL are disciples of Yeshua, not any other - I have explained that before. All must emulate HIM, all must keep HIS words.
And adoption into Israel makes all of us able and part of that nation of priests. How is it that you are able to forgive those who hurt you without being a priest? Only YHWH can forgive. Only priests can intercede. Yet when you forgive the debt is written off.
Yeshua is building his body - And he is building a nation of priests. It is all one thing. One bride. One body. One nation.