Bible Study .net Podcast: Episodes
In this final episode of the book of 1st Corinthians, John takes some time to discuss his analysis of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ.
"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed." 1st Co 15:51. As the apostle closes his letter to the Corinthians, he reveals a mystery that we are not to be ignorant of (1st Thess 4); the translation of those alive, and the victory of the dead over the grave.
We take a detailed look at the specifics of the resurrection in this portion of Scripture. We do well to meditate on this truth, as it pertains to our future glory. "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 ...
"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." 1st Co 15:22. We continue our look at the 15th chapter as the Apostle Paul continues to debunk the heresy that there is no resurrection of the dead.
The 15th chapter of 1st Corinthians begins with a clear description of the good news of Christ's resurrection followed by a rebuke of the leaven of the Sadducees that there is no resurrection. "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept." 1st Co 15:20
In chapter 14, the Lord specifies rules for operation of charismatic gifts inside the transitional church. Speaking in tongues without a translator was commanded to stop and women operating their signed gifts were forbidden. Why? "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches ...
The end of chapter 13 reveals the ceasing of the Pentecostal gifts and when that will occur. "And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1st Co 13:13
Principled love, or the Greek word agape, is different than the fond affection we have for our families and close friends. This portion of Scripture helps to define agape so we can judge when it is operating and when it is not.
This difficult portion of Scripture lays out God's order for the church during the transitional period as His Word moved from Israel to the Gentiles. We also see one of the Lord's great metaphors as He likens the Church, which is His body, to the human body.
The Lord would not have us ignorant of spiritual things. In this portion of Scripture, Paul explains spiritual for us so we aren't led back into idolatry.
We slow down at the end of chapter 11 to study the different judgments of God. This study takes us to many Bible passages as John discusses the judgment seat of Christ, the judgment of Israel, self judgment, amongst others.
The second half of chapter 11 deals with two more symbols we are to partake in as Christians, the cup and the loaf. Both are observed during the Lord's Supper, in which we remember the Lord's death until he comes.
Today we study our Bibles in the 11th chapter of 1st Corinthians. Here we learn about the symbology surrounding head coverings during the local church assembly.
The tenth chapter is probably the apex of doctrine in the epistle of 1st Corinthians. In it we learn that the church in the wilderness were examples for us because we endure the same types of temptation that they fell into. "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." 1st CO 10:12.
"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain." 1st Co 9:24. The Lord once again lays out His reward program for His children and teaches us how we must proceed if we desire to win a prize.
Unfortunately, it was necessary for Paul to defend his apostleship amongst the Corinthians. In the first section of chapter 9 we read the apostle doing just that, and laying out an example (or tupos) for men of God that follow.
In this chapter we learn how to behave ourselves around a weaker brother. "But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak." 1Co 8:9. John expounds upon this chapter in concordance to Romans the 14th chapter.
In the 7th chapter of 1st Corinthians, the Lord lays out all the provisions for marriage inside the church, which is His Body. He also lays out some general principles such as "let every man abide in the same calling in wherein he was called." 1Co 6:20
"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Co 6:20. How do we glorify God in our body? Do we work out and eat well? No. We flee fornication.
"Know ye not that we shall judge angels? How much more the things that pertain to this life? 1Co 6:3. The apostle exhorts us to take civil matters to the church and not the courts of the unbelievers. Does this go on today? It should.