Lesson 1293

(Lesson 1293)(04-14-15) 1 Corinthians 16:10-24

"Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren. As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time. Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity. I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such. The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss. The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen."

In today's quote Paul encouraged the Corinthians for the work they were doing for the Lord and asked them to be hospitable to the preachers and teachers that would be coming their way.

In closing his letter, Paul sent his salutations from himself and those who were in his company.~

Lesson 1292

(Lesson 1292)(04-13-15) 1 Corinthians 16:1-9

"Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me. Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia. And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go. For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit. But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries."

This lesson demonstrates how Paul, as he traveled among the early churches, insisted that they gather and make weekly offerings of their goods to be sent back to Jerusalem.

Although its not made clear herein, I would assume those goods were to be given in support of the wives and families of the disciples who were too busy with the work of the Church to effectively provide for the needs of their families. Deacons were selected from among the Church to administer the goods that were collected as per Acts 6:1-4; "And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word."

In the latter part of this lesson, Paul advised that he would soon go to Corinth by way of Macedonia and said, in essence that he was always careful about his travel because there were many who wished him dead.~

Lesson 1291

(Lesson 1291)(04-12-15) 1 Corinthians 15:51-58

"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

Today's quote demonstrates how those of us whom have placed our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ will rise cleansed of all sin and immortal. What a glorious day that will be when we arise victorious over death and no longer burdened by the sin nature of our earthly bodies.

It behooves every child of God to work as diligently as is possible to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ that contains the word of God's amazing saving grace so that everyone we can persuade will have the opportunity to be there with us in that wonderful celebration.~

Lesson 1290

(Lesson 1290)(04-11-15) 1 Corinthians 15:33-50

"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption."

In today's quote, Paul explained that those of us whom are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ will not be resurrected in these same old bodies we have worn here on earth, but rather, leaving all the things of this earth, we will be resurrected in new glorified spiritual bodies befitting the Godliness that will encompass heaven.~

Lesson 1289

(Lesson 1289)(04-10-15) 1 Corinthians 15:23-32

"But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die."

In today's quote Paul laid out the order of the resurrection. Christ having been the first to rise and then through His efforts the rest of us whom are saved will rise when He has overtaken all sin and returns to gather His own.

In the latter part of this quote, Paul made reference to being "baptized" for the dead. This reference causes confusion for some as to what is meant by the reference.

Being "baptized" for the dead is what Jesus accomplished for all those who, prior to His coming, had faith that God would eventually provide a redeemer for His people who had maintained faith in Him. Jesus, in that regard, was "baptized for the dead".

In this text, Paul, because he and all who are saved by the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, were and are to be deliverers of the gospel message, included us all with Christ as having been "baptized" for the dead; "I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily." When Paul said "I die daily" he was describing a daily baptism for the dead.~

Lesson 1288

(Lesson 1288)(04-09-15) 1 Corinthians 15:9-22

"For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed. Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."

　

In today's quote Paul, hearing that their were some among them who didn't believe in the resurrection, reassured the Corinthians that Jesus Christ did indeed overcome death and that He rose again alive and glorified to claim victory over the sin that was inherent in mankind since the fall of Adam.

Herein Paul also assured the children of God, that we live with the assurance that through our faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we too shall arise from the grave to spend eternity in heaven.~

Lesson 1287

(Lesson 1287)(04-08-15) 1 Corinthians 14:34-40

"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.

I apologize for reverting back for today's lesson, but I overlooked a very important point that appears in the latter part of Corinthians 14.

In this quote, Paul said, "let your women be silent 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."

There are many today, especially women, who take issue with this text in that it seems to block them out of any interaction within the Church.

I will take no stand on this issue since the text very clearly speaks for itself. I will however, draw your attention to Paul having said, "but they are commanded to be under obedience, AS ALSO SAITH THE LAW". This could mean that Paul's rule is taken from a tradition under the Law of Moses and should not be carried over to the modern churches since the meeting places of Christians Churches are no longer controlled by Jews and bound to the rules of Judaism.

It seems too that what is said in Galatians 3:26-29 contradicts what Paul said herein; "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is NEITHER MALE NOR FEMALE: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

The Galatians text clearly states that once a woman becomes a child of God she is to be seen as an equal in the Church.~