Lesson 2074

(Lesson 2074)(07-07-17) 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 reaffirmed the gospel as he had preached it; "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". He then listed the people who had seen Jesus Christ after His resurrection, whose number included himself.~

Lesson 2073

(Lesson 2073)(07-06-17) 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."

Today's quote first encourages prophecy as a very useful tool in the ministry of the church. The quote then deals with a very touchy subject for some in today's churches. That is, the role of women in today's church. Paul seems to lay out a strict rule against women vocally participating in church business. However, I believe Paul was citing the rules that applied under the Law of Moses rather than the rules that prevail in the church established by Jesus Christ. Part of my reasoning for that is the question Paul asked in verse 36; "What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?". I will readily admit that I'm not absolutely sure that I ever know what that verse means. However, if it indeed means that Paul was defining the rules of the Law concerning women in church, it solidifies my contention.

My thought that Paul was referring to the rules of the Law is further backed up by what is written in Galatians 3:25-28; "But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 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."

If this passage is to be considered true, then female members of today's church are to participate on equal terms with the males.~

*The term "baptized", as it is applied herein, means to be wholly immersed into the life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ through absolute faith in Him.

Lesson 2072

(Lesson 2072)(07-05-17) 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."

In today's quote, Paul made it clear that in order to teach the lost, one must speak the same language as those he/she wishes to teach. It that is impossible, one must provide an interpretor or don't try to teach them at all. In short, if makes no sense to speak to a group of people who cant understand what you are saying.

There are some religious groups who contend that to speak in an "unknown tongue" is to babble sounds that are (supposedly) inspired by the Holy Spirit that only the person making the sounds is able to understand. They also provide an "interpretor" who is supposedly under the same spiritual spell. That contention is simply and sadly erroneous one, the "unknown tongues" Paul referred to are simply differing languages and are not in any way caused by a divine act of the Holy Spirit. And, just as Paul, in essence, said in today's quote, to try to teach in such a manner would only serve to confuse the listeners, seeing that they couldn't understand the words that were being said.

It is our duty, as born again believers to, pray for those who have fallen victim to that sad contention that the Holy Spirit guide them to the truth. ~

Lesson 2071

(Lesson 2071)(07-04-17) 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."

Today's lesson involves the importance of charity in the life of a child of God. Herein, Paul made if vividly clear that the most important element of Christianity is charity or the desire to give expecting nothing in return.

In my opinion, the most heinous failure of today's church is the almost total disappearance of heartfelt charitable giving. I'm speaking of the kind of giving that comes automatically, without any thought of societal pressure. It seems we have lost the ability to love enough to automatically give of our overabundance without first analyzing the benefit to ourselves or our personal image.

We should forever live to fulfill the requirements of the two "great" commandments; "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 22:37-40)~

Lesson 2070

(Lesson 2070)(07-03-17) 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 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. 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. 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 today's quote, Paul explained how the Holy Spirit gives each individual member of the church his/her own divine talent and purpose. He explained how the church is the whole body and each member is a functioning and purposeful part. No one individual is more or less powerful or important to the church. We are all equally necessary parts without which the church body could not fully function. Therefore we should all continually offer our prayer and support to every member, no matter how trivial their contribution might appear.~

Lesson 2069

(Lesson 2069)(07-02-17) 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

"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. 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."

In today's quote, Paul ridiculed the Corinthians for abusing the holiness of the Lord's Supper. It appears that the Corinthians had made some kind of drunken ritual of the Lord's last supper with His apostles whereat He required them to partake of the symbols of His body and blood in remembrance of His sacrifice for the sins of mankind.

Seeing that most all religious isms, (in my opinion erroneously), practice some ritual form of "communion" or "The Lord's Supper", It is important to note that, just as Jesus did not, neither did Paul establish a date or time at which the meal of remembrance should be eaten. As a matter of fact, I have not been able to find an outright commandment for partaking of such a ritual meal anywhere in the New Testament.

It also should be noted that the penalty for making a mockery of that worship of remembrance, is far too severe to risk partaking of it not knowing if one is or is not, partaking of it unworthily. As some of the Corinthians obviously were.~

Lesson 2068

(Lesson 2068)(07-01-17) 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 today's quote, Paul laid out a bunch of what appeared to be rules as to how men and women are to conduct themselves in worship and in prayer. Particularly as to whether or not they should of should not have long hair or whether or not they should pray uncovered. In actuality, Paul was citing rules of conduct that were the customs of mankind, and not what Jesus demands of His flock. This fact is evidenced by what he said in the last verse of today's quote pertaining to the true church; "we have no such custom, neither the churches of God."

Sadly, there are many of today's religious isms, that content that the things Paul listed here are rules that are to be obeyed by the church. Yet, as the last verse clearly states, that is simply not what Paul intended. In reality, it makes no difference how one wears his/her hair or whether or not one prays covered or uncovered.~