READ IN CONTEXT, CRONOS. Paul said he was sent to preach THE GOSPEL, NOT TO BAPTIZE.The GOSPEL that the 12 were sent to preach INCLUDED BAPTISM for remission of sins. The Gospel of the Kingdom.
If Paul did not preach and perform baptism for the remission of sins, then he was NOT preaching the same Gospel that the 12 were commissioned to preach. And INDEED he preached the GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD.
And if you will allow me, I shall include 1 Cor. 1:18 for CONTEXT. The verse you left out.
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness: but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God."
You see, baptism for remission of sins was not part of the Gospel of the Grace of God that was given to Paul. He preached Christ's finished work on THE CROSS as our remission of sins. Paul was sent to preach THAT GOSPEL, the Gospel of the Grace of God. NOT TO BAPTIZE FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS. That's part of the Kingdom Gospel.
Romans 1:16,17 tells you where our righteousness and remission of sins comes from. And it's NOT water baptism.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for IT (the gospel of Christ) is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth...
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed.."
It seems that when most RC's read the word baptism they automatically assume its water baptism.
Matt 3:11 "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
This is the one true baptism with Holy Spirit. We are immersed into His body and given the Holy Spirit. Water is the symbol of what has ALREADY taken place.Mark 10:38 But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" Another non water reference to baptism.
They do not rightly handle the Word of God. Spiritual things can only be understood by the regenerate.
Paul clearly states that NOW, in the Dispensation of the Grace of God, "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling. One Lord, one faith, ONE BAPTISM, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Eph. 4:4-6.
And that ONE BAPTISM has nothing to do with water. It is a spiritual baptism. "For BY ONE SPIRIT are we all BAPTIZED into ONE BODY.." 1 Cor. 12:13. It is the Holy Spirit, in the dispensation of grace, that baptizes us into Christ; not baptism by water.
"..and such were some of you; but ye are WASHED, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and BY THE SPIRIT OF OUR GOD." 1 Cor. 6:11.