Tag: Paul

1 Corinthians: “We Have Become A Spectacle”

The Corinthians thought the apostles and prophets must be living the good life due to converting all those people and having so much respect within the brotherhood.  In reality, they lived a hard life of toil and were considered to be on the same level as “scum” (perikatharmata, pond scum, slime) and “refuse” (peripsema, dirt or filth you would wipe away, garbage)…and yet they responded to such persecution exactly as Jesus directed them (cf. Lk. 6:28; 1 Pet. 2:23; 3:9; Rom. 12:17).… Read More 1 Corinthians: “We Have Become A Spectacle”

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1 Corinthians: We’re All The Same In God’s Eyes

It’s easy for us to “think of (ourselves) more highly than (we) ought to think” (Rom. 12:3).  We might do this by emphasizing who taught us, where we went to school, what our jobs or incomes are, what office we hold or work we do in the church, to whom we’re related, what VIP we know, or where we live.  We must realize that we are all the same in God’s eyes, and view ourselves and each other with humility.… Read More 1 Corinthians: We’re All The Same In God’s Eyes

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1 Corinthians: Do Not Go Beyond What Is Written

Nothing written in God’s Word has ever commanded or promoted the decision to give allegiance to mere men instead of the Lord; indeed, the exact opposite is recorded in Scripture (Matt. 23:5-12).  By glorifying Paul, Apollos, and others instead of Christ, the Corinthian Christians had indeed “go(ne) beyond what is written.” To go beyond the authority of God’s Word is sinful (Deut. 4:2; 12:32; Josh 1:7; Prov. 30:6; Rom. 16:17-18; Gal. 1:6-10; Rev. 22:18-19).… Read More 1 Corinthians: Do Not Go Beyond What Is Written

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1 Corinthians: Servants, Stewards, and Mysteries

Anyone who takes upon themselves the serious responsibility of being God’s spokesman must prove themselves trustworthy to speak nothing but God’s Word in its entirety (Ps. 119:160a; Prov. 30:5-6; Gal. 1:6-10; 2 Pet. 2:1-22; Rev. 22:18-19).  This is because souls are at stake.  People are influenced to follow truth from God…or lies from Satan…every time a sermon is preached, a class is taught, or an article is read.  This is why the Bible alone must be what is preached and taught.       … Read More 1 Corinthians: Servants, Stewards, and Mysteries

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1 Corinthians: The Church’s One Foundation

Those who wield influence within the church today – elders, deacons, preachers, teachers, mentors, encouragers – must all take care to build, and build with great care, upon only one foundation.  That foundation cannot be themselves.  It cannot be based on the musings and opinions of whatever theologian has caught the public eye.  No, that foundation must be Jesus Christ and Jesus alone…his teachings and his example, all of which being found only within the entirety of rightly-divided Scripture (Ps. 119:160; 2 Tim. 2:15; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; cf. 2 Pet. 1:19-21; John 16:12-15; Eph. 3:3-5).  It must be God’s Word that is taught and preached, Scripture and Scripture alone which is the basis of all influence.… Read More 1 Corinthians: The Church’s One Foundation

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