Lesson 1286

(Lesson 1286)(04-07-15) 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time."

In today's quote Paul listed the many who saw and walked with Jesus after He was resurrected. Jesus also appeared to Paul on the road near Damascus where Paul was converted and designated the Apostle to the Gentiles; "And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake." (Acts 9:3-16)

Jesus would appear to Paul a second time as is referred to in Acts 26:16-18, for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I WILL APPEAR UNTO THEE; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."~

Lesson 1285

(Lesson 1285)(04-06-15) 1 Corinthians 14:29-40

"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. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order."

In today's quote, Paul encouraged prophesy and explained how it was to be done.

The word "prophet", as it is applied in today's lesson, is defined by Strong's bible dictionary as: "in Greek writings, an interpreter of oracles or of other hidden things one who, moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation" This definition can easily be applied to any child of God who has received the full knowledge of the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

There area many today who seem to believe that a prophet must be someone who can foresee the future, that is true in a sense. However, anyone who has received the heavenly gift of salvation has been shown and fully understands the future that awaits those who will, or will not, place their absolute faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, in essence, a prophet, as Paul applied the term, is a born again child of God and a learned teacher of the gospel. Prophets, as Paul applied the term, are not people who can predict the future of the world other than as it concerns those who either deny, or accept the saving grace of God through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord.~

Lesson 1284

(Lesson 1284)(04-05-15) 1 Corinthians 14:1-28

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. 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."

Today's quote demonstrates the importance of yesterday's lesson in that it warns against preaching, or teaching, in languages (unknown tongues) that no one other than oneself can understand. Herein Paul essentially said that to speak in such an "unknown tongue" simply serves to confuse the listeners and serves no purpose other than self gratification.

He also said, in essence, that if a preacher or teacher speaks to those who don't understand his/her language, he/she is to provide and interpreter so that the listeners may understand and be lifted up by what is being said.~

Lesson 1283

(Lesson 1283)(04-04-15) 1 Corinthians 12:28-31

"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."

Today's quote is taken from an earlier lesson. I thought it important to go back and cover this part of that lesson a bit more closely seeing that I neglected to cover it in detail.

In this quote, Paul lists "diversities of tongues" as a gift that could be given to the children of God through the Holy Spirit.

Oddly and even sadly, there are some today who, by wrongly applying the intent of this text, contend that there are a few in the Church who are given a special gift of speaking in "unknown tongues" whereas the speaker makes some vocal utterances that only the Holy Spirit and an interpreter can understand. The supposed purpose of speaking in such "tongues" varies from "church" to "church" and person to person, none of which can be verified by New Testament text.

It is reasonably obvious that when Paul spoke of the gift of "tongues" he was talking about those who were then, and those who are today, capable of speaking in more than one language so as to be able to communicate with the many different peoples of that region at that time. The "gift", or talent, of being multi-lingual was very important in that area where several different languages were commonly spoken among a relatively small population. Some examples are Greek, Aramaic, Hebrew, and Latin.

Strong's bible dictionary defines the word tongues as it is applied in this text as: "a tongue the language or dialect used by a particular people distinct from that of other nations"

Therefore for today's purpose, as it was then, when the gift of "tongues" was/is mentioned in the New Testament, it is simply a reference to someone who is able to speak in more that one language, or dialect.~

Lesson 1282

(Lesson 1282)(04-03-15) 1 Corinthians 12:29-Chapter 13

"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. 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 quote, Paul explains that no matter what talents or gifts a child of God might have, those gifts are to be applied with charity. Paul then explained the meaning of charity as that term is applied herein.

In essence, we are to do the will of God, using any and all the tools at our disposal and we are to do it with the honor and glory of God always foremost in our minds and with the ultimate intent of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ crucified.~

Lesson 1281

(Lesson 1281)(04-02-15) 1 Corinthians 12:15-28

"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 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."

In today's quote Paul further explained the diversity of purpose for each individual member of the body of Christ. (The body of Christ is the Church) Paul was careful to maintain that each member, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is just as important to the whole as is the most prominent member.

As the children of God, and as individual members of the body of Christ, we are to celebrate the least among us just as much as we celebrate the greatest, knowing that the least noticed members are the most missed when they are gone. For example, if we view the Church as a pyramid of stacked dominoes, removing the top domino causes no problem, the great majority of the pyramid remains standing, but if you remove one of the bottom or less prominent dominoes, the whole pyramid falls.

We are all given gifts according to the will of God and our abilities, we should always use them to further the gospel of Jesus Christ and to honor and glorify God.~

Lesson 1280

(Lesson 1280)(04-01-15) 1 Corinthians 12:8-14

"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 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. For the body is not one member, but many."

In today's quote Paul defined the various and individual gifts that can be given to each of the children of God through the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul made it very clear that each individual member plays unique part in making up the whole body of Christ, the "body of Christ" being today, His Church.

We as individual members of the body can do nothing on our own in our service to the Church. We must have the guidance and clarity of the Holy Spirit to unite us in our purpose, and through that same Holy Spirit, all praise, honor and glory, is to be given to God.

There is another very important point that is made in today's quote that demands our attention because so many, so called, Christian denominations wrongfully contend that water baptism is a required step in the process of salvation and establishes membership into the Church.

Paul said; "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body". This statement very clearly demonstrates that it is the "SPITIT" only that establishes membership in the Church. We are baptized into the body of Christ by "the spirit", NOT water.

The term "Spirit", as it is applied in today's quote, is defined by Strong"s bible dictionary as: "the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son ". This definition of the term leaves no room for the contention that water is implemental or is is somehow implied by the use of the term "spirit".

Faith alone assures our membership into Christ's Church, No act of a man/woman has anything at all to do with it. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) Water baptism is a work of man, not the "spirit".~