Lesson 479

(Lesson 479)(12-07-12) 1 Corinthians 14:20-33, "Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, everyone of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints."

This lesson is a furtherance of yesterday's and deals again with "tongues" and "prophesy".
Yesterday I posted the definition of "tongues" as it is related in Strong's Bible Dictionary. That same dictionary defines "prophesy" as: "to prophesy, to be a prophet, speak forth by divine inspirations, to predict, to prophesy, with the idea of foretelling future events pertaining esp. to the kingdom of God, to utter forth, declare, a thing which can only be known by divine revelation, to break forth under sudden impulse in lofty discourse or praise of the divine counsels, under like prompting, to teach, refute, reprove, admonish, comfort others, to act as a prophet, discharge the prophetic office."

The correct definition of the term, as it is applied in this text is "to teach, refute, reprove, admonish, or comfort others.
Paul, in this lesson, is praising the virtues of one who chooses to prophesy over one who might want to speak in an "unknown tongue" simply because he/she has that ability. He again clearly states that speaking in tongues serves no spiritual purpose whatsoever, and is simply a waste of time unless the speaker (teacher) does not speak the language of the congregation, in which case the speaker is to provide an interpreter so that the congregation is able to understand what the speaker is saying.

Paul establishes the value to the Church, of both "tongues" and "prophesies", "With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

The essence of this lesson is that we should not waste precious time on meaningless self-promotion that can be far better spent exhorting and edifying those who strive to teach the glorious good news of God's grace through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, to the redemption of our eternal souls.~

Lesson 478

(Lesson 478)(12-06-12) 1 Corinthians 14:1-19, "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue."

Today's lesson concerns spiritual gifts. As Christian people we should all know that, through the gift of the Holy Ghost, it is possible for us to accomplish anything, even move mountains. Jesus gave the faithful that promise in Matthew 21:21, "Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done."

We are able tp prophesy and or speak a foreign language if, in faith, we choose to do so. Paul makes it clear, in this lesson, that being a prophet is a much more beneficial gift than being able to speak in an "unknown tongue", (foreign language).
NOTE: Strong's Bible Dictionary defines "tongue" as follows: "The language or dialect used by a particular people distinct from that of other nations".

There are many, very devout and sincere, religious groups who have taken on the, scripturally unsubstantiated, idea that Paul, when referring to the gift of "tongues", is referring to a spirit granted ability to utter some unconscious verbal sounds that even the speaker can't understand. These sounds are not a part of any known language and in order to be understood, according to those who believe in it, must be translated by another person who is also "in the spirit".

These folks sincerely and devoutly believe this verbal muttering is a gift from the Holy Spirit, and that it is, in some mysterious way, beneficial to the assembly of the Church. That notion however, is sadly and sincerely wrong.

In this lesson, Paul goes out of his way to demonstrate the meaninglessness of speaking in a tongue (language) that no one can understand.

The fact that he is NOT referring to some spiritual tongue and is indeed referring to different languages, is established when he said, he himself, spoke with many different tongues, "I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue."

If Paul was referring to one, spirit driven, "unknown" tongue, as those who profess to believe in spiritual "tongues" do, he would not have said "different" tongues. Paul was very educated man and knew all the languages and dialects of the region, of which there were many at that time.

An "unknown" tongue, as the term is applied in this lesson, is simply the language of another nation or people.

This lesson, in general, demonstrates that gifts, of all kinds are available to those of us who believe and can be very beneficial in the spreading the gospel of Christ. We are encouraged to use all of our talents (gifts) to further the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. However, this lesson very clearly demonstrates that the ability to speak in a tongue no one can understand avails nothing and is simply a waste of time.~

Lesson 477

(Lesson 477)(12-05-12) 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."

In today's lesson, Paul establishes "charity" as the single most important Christian virtue, he tells us that the seeming virtues of a righteous man/woman amount to nothing if that man/woman doesn't have a charitable heart.

The Christian is to practice charity above all other virtues because without it all other virtues are meaningless.

Today's religious climate reflects a stunning absence of charity. It's sad that so many, supposedly Christian people, hover to protect their material belongings displaying a total disregard for the most important and basic Christian principle. Jesus assured His people that they would have need of nothing if they simply held to faith in Him. Matthew 6:26, "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"

Jesus also described the benefits of Charity, Matthew 9:19, "And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life."

It behooves every child of God to return to the principles of Charity that were so much a part of the doctrine of Jesus Christ.~

Lesson 476

(Lesson 476)(12-04-12) 1 Corinthians Chapter 12, "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 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. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But 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.now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way."

In this lesson, Paul describes the body of Christ (The Church) as being made up of ALL it's individual parts (members). Every member unique, each having their own spiritual gift according to the needs of the Church as discerned by the Holy Ghost, No one in authority over the other but all bound by, and dependent upon, God. Each member is dependent one upon the other, each has their own strengths contributing to, and making up the body.

Paul explains that those who might appear to be the lesser among us should be confirmed as equally essential parts.

We are baptized (merged) together, "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."

Essentially, just as Paul said, the membership of the Church, through the Holy Spirit, is the body Christ referred to when He said "Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me."

NOTE: The term "baptized", as it is applied in this lesson, defines a merging together and is not in any way suggestive of water immersion. Another example of this same application of the term can be found in Galations 3:27, "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." ~

Lesson 475

(Lesson 475)(12-03-12) 1 Corinthians 11:27-34, "Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come."

Today's lesson is a continuance of yesterdays, and deals with the manner by which members of Christ's Church are to conduct themselves when assembling together.

Paul is warning those who assemble themselves together, as the Church (the "body of Christ"), to do so in a manner that gives all honor and glory to God through Jesus Christ.

We are not to contaminate the Church assembly with pompous ritual or ceremonial tradition. We are to assemble ourselves to do only, and exactly, what we are instructed to do by God's word, Ephesians 4:12-16, "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."

Paul goes on, in the latter portion of the lesson, to lay out the penalty for making a mockery of an assembly of Christ's Church, "For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning (showing good judgment) the Lord's body (the Church). For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep."

Finally Paul tells us that when we come together to eat (partake of the body of Christ), we are to do so with one purpose in mind, the furtherance of the gospel of Christ. Paul said, "And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation."~

Lesson 474

(Lesson 474)(12-02-12) 1 Corinthians 11:17-26, "Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come."

Today's lesson comes from another passage of scripture that, in my opinion, has been grossly misunderstood by almost every religious group since the death of our savior. We must approach this lesson keeping in mind that the "last supper", "Lord's supper, or "communion" Jesus shared with His Apostles on the day of his crucifixion, was a celebration of the Jewish tradition of "seder", a meal commemorating the passover of the Hebrew people during the plagues God impose on Egypt. Seder is to be eaten once per year by all Jews in celebration of "passover". This tradition was never scripturally put into effect as a Christian ordinance, by Christ, or by any of His Apostles.

It appears, at first glance that Paul is chastising the Corinthians for incorrectly practicing the "Lord's Supper", or "Communion". This, however, is NOT the case. This lesson deals with "heresies", just as Paul stated in verses 18-20, "For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be DIVISIONS AMONG YOU; and I partly believe it. For there must be also HERESIES AMONG YOU, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. WHEN YE COME TOGETHER THEREFOR INTO ONE PLACE, THIS IS NOT TO EAT THE LORD'S SUPPER."
What could be clearer than what Paul said in verse 20? We are NOT to partake of the "Lord's supper in a gathering of the Church!
It would appear that some of these Corinthians were bringing all manner of food and celebration to the Church, under the guise of the "Lord's supper". This was obviously done in a pious attempt to be "approved" or to "manifest" themselves as followers of Christ.
An in-depth study of the gospel tells us that the body of Christ (the bread) is His Church for which His (blood) was shed. His request "this do in remembrance of me", is an admonishment to Christians to keep His Church pure, always in remembrance of Him, strictly adhering to His gospel while making sure His Church is not defiled by the very "heresies" to which Paul refers herein.
I realize that my synopsis is in stark contrast to common collegial thinking and I know that there are those who will disagree with what I've said here. I'm perfectly prepared to admit I'm wrong if, and when, someone can scripturally prove that I indeed am.
Whether we agree, or disagree, we must all remember that we are all in this together and doing this study to discover the divine will of God as it is written in the New Testament of the Holy Bible.
Tomorrow's lesson is a continuance of subject matter. ~

Lesson 473

(Lesson 473)(12-01-12) 1 Corinthians 11:1-16, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of god. Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God."

　

In this lesson, Paul appears to cite along list of restrictive ordinances as to how both men and women are to conduct themselves in the service of the Church. That, however is clearly NOT what is intended in this lesson.
It is easy to understand how some, who don't do due diligence in their studies, might take from this lesson as many of the pentecostal assemblies do, the notion that women are to always have long hair and are to cover their heads while in prayer and, that it is a shame for a man to wear long hair or to pray with his head covered.
Those who believe such things should carefully read what Paul says in the final verse of today's lesson, "But if any man seem to be contentious, WE HAVE NO SUCH CUSTOM, NEITHER THE CHURCHES OF GOD." Paul makes if very clear that the above traditions and customs are NOT a requirement within the "Churches of God".
In essence, Paul is telling us, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." If some wish to observe these customs, there is no sin in it. However, the gospel of Jesus Christ does NOT require it.~