Last time we looked at the application of practical teaching from the Acts period considering the apparent tension between 10:21 "Ye cannot" and 10:25 "Whatsoever is sold .. that eat". We discovered that when an issue of truth was destroyed by compromize then it would be better to offend man than God.
Today we look at chapter 11
Last time we looked at the tension between what cannot be done in truth revealing communion (see vs 10:21) and what can be done under liberty (10:25,27,28). The truth is that we who are saved by Grace cannot partake in the altar of an idol -- we have nothing in common and we cannot in truth "partake". So it is with our communion with the doctrines and manner of life associated with other ages.
Last time we looked at the fact that the cup of blessing used in the communion is likely something new to the passover feast. A tradition that was installed prior to Christ and which the Lord re-interpreted in light of the New Covenant. In this lesson we will take the discussion further as Paul takes us into teaching that can be best understood by the times then present.
Last time we looked at the age times and how the ends of the ages fell on those in the Acts period and NOT US! We shall now continue with verse 12
Chapter 9 ends with an analogy to sports, running a race and boxing and then Paul says
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (1Co 9:27 KJG)
This is not "castaway" from salvation but to be disapproved. Salvation is by grace and rewards by works. The race and sports competitions are in the context of reward. Paul takes this further in the next chapter.
Last week we had reason to pause and look at some applications of the "stumblingblock" doctrine and reflect on whether the use of alcahol in our lives would be:
Each person would need to look at his or her own circumstances to decide on the latter since this is a judgment made upon the ground of "freedom" . For the former we could ask as Paul: Are we not free? Yes of course we are.
Last time we looked at chapter 8 and saw that Paul took very seriously the doctrine of the "stumblingblock", indeed he even said that it was a sin to use freedom in such a way that it causes a brother to perish.
KJV 1 Corinthians 8:13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
TBT 1 Corinthians 8:13 διόπερ εἰ βρῶμα σκανδαλίζει τὸν ἀδελφόν μου, οὐ μὴ φάγω κρέα εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, ἵνα μὴ τὸν ἀδελφόν μου σκανδαλίσω.
Eating flesh offered to an idol (which was nothing in the world) in itself was perfectly permissable and was a freedom that those who had enlightened knowledge could enjoy -- but doing so in the presence of a weaker brother was not just a mistake but a sin.
Today we will begin on chapter 9 where Paul answers those who examine him.
Last time we finished our discussion on marriage during the Acts period. Paul's instruction though not by commandment was nonetheless through his inspired judgment and he tells the believers then that it would be "better" for the unmarried to remain in that state. This can only be rightly interpreted by understanding and acknowledging that these were necessities of the short time which was then in progress. That is, Christ's coming was close and the ministry that Paul was involved with, and encouraging others to follow him in, had an administration that held Jew to be first and an economy with its roots in the gospels and old testament Jewish scriptures. This idea is extended also to the widow:
KJG 1 Corinthians 7:39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. (1Co 7:39 KJG)
KJG 1 Corinthians 7:40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
TBT 1 Corinthians 7:40 μακαριωτέρα δέ ἐστιν ἐὰν οὕτω μείνῃ, κατὰ τὴν ἐμὴν γνώμην· δοκῶ δὲ κἀγὼ Πνεῦμα Θεοῦ ἔχειν.
She is happier (more blessed) to remain unmarried -- and literally "and I also seem to have the Spirit of God". Do you think it is the Spirit of God to take the "short time" regimin appropriate to the ACTS and then impose it on believers today ignoring the Judgment of Acts 28?
I trust that through the reading of this great epistle that you will see the mind of God in context and discern the things that differ.
Last time we looked at a summary of the important issues of 1Corinthians as an Acts epistle. One issue is that those saved whether Jew or Greek were to remain in that state:
This has some important implications when one interprets many of the doctrines that are taught by Paul in his Acts epistles. One very important issue relating to this is the economy that the world was under and the nearness of Christ's second coming. Paul applies this to the subject of marriage. He continues in verse 29:
Last lesson we looked at verses 7:17-20. The major point brought out was that upon salvation Jews were to remain Jews and Gentiles were to remain Gentiles. The last verse in the sequence says
20 (AV) Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
20 (TR) εκαστος εν τη κλησει η εκληθη εν ταυτη μενετω
Literally "Each in the calling in which he was called in this let him remain" -- this is very different to the message of PAul the prisoner to those who respond to the gospel of the unsearchable riches who live in the current age. To those of us who have responded to this message we have equality in a more pervasive sense since national distinctions have been laid aside and a new man created. With the new man has come a new and different unity that we need to keep (see Eph 4:1-5).