05.09. THE CHURCH AT CORINTH

THE CHURCH AT CORINTH origin of the church at corinth. Paul who was the first to preach the gospel at Corinth, says:

"As a wise masterbuilder I laid a foundation; and an­other buildeth thereon. But let each man take heed how he buildeth thereon. For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 3:10­).

Paul’s mission was to "preach the gospel;" to preach "Christ crucified" (1 Corinthians 1:17; 1 Corinthians 1:23; 1 Corinthians 2:2). The first work of the builder is to lay the foundation, which Paul did by preaching the gospel. Referring to his work at Corinth he says:

"Now I make known unto you, brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand, by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The Corinthians "received" the gospel. Exactly what did they do in receiving the gospel? In Acts 18:1-8, it is declared, "Many of the Corinthians hearing, believed, and were baptized." From tho foregoing it follows that when one hears the gospel, believes and is baptized, he "receives" the gospel. The church at Corinth was scriptural in origin. Those in Corinth who "received" the gospel were the church at Corinth.

"Every seed brings forth after its kind." (Genesis 1:11). The word of God is the "seed of the kingdom" (Mark 13:19; Luke 8:11; 1 Peter 1:23). If the seed of the kingdom is sown today it will bring forth the same kind of fruit it did in the days of the apostles. The Missionary Baptist, and Roman Catholics talk much about "church succession," by which they mean that they can trace a "flesh and blood" line of churches from the apostles to the present, and that they have direct connection by such a line with the first church estab­lished on Pentecost. They rely more on "flesh and blood" than they do on purity of faith and practice. The facts are, neither of these churches is identical in teaching or practice with the church of the New Testament. So surely as one obeys the gospel, that surely it is that he is added to the church by the Lord. (See Acts 2:47). (See Sound Doctrine, Volume 3, pp 37-49 for a full discussion of this subject. other foundation. The only foundation of the church of Christ, is Christ. Christ is not the foundation of churches originated by men. Whatever doctrine originated and featured by men, causing them to separate from others they recognize as children of God, is the foundation of that group. The Methodist Episcopal Church was opposed to human slavery. In 1845 many members of that church who believed it right to have human slaves, separated from that church, and formed the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Human slavery became the foundation of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Baptists recognize that many of God’s children are not members of a Missionary Baptist Church; but they insist that for baptism to be valid it must be administered by a minister who has been baptized by the authority of a Baptist Church, and who administers baptism only when a Baptist Church authorizes the baptism of each individual. Missionary Baptist affirm there are saved people in other churches, that baptism is not necessary to salvation. Clearly, baptism, of the Missionary Brand is the sole foundation of all Missionary Baptist Churches. Baptists themselves declare there is not one thing that they teach, peculiar to them, that is necessary to salvation! The foundation of the Seventh Day Adventist Church is observance of the Sabbath. The foundation of these man-made churches is not Christ! "Other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." the church at corinth was sanctified. Paul wrote: "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, even them that are sanctified in Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:2). Many do not know what the word "sanctify" means. Jehovah said: "Sanctify unto me the first born .... of man and beast . .,. . Thou shall set apart unto Jehovah all that openeth the womb, and every firstling." (Exodus 13:1-3). The "first-born" was to be "sanctified," that is "set apart." A tent was sanctified, as was an altar, house, field, the sabbath, a fast, and clothes." (Exodus 29:44;
41:10; Leviticus 27:14; Nehemiah 13:22; Joel 1:14; Leviticus 8:30). Surely no one thinks to "sanctify" means to cleanse from sin. Christ was "sanctified" and sent into the world. He "sanctified" himself.(John 10:36; John 17:19). Such cannot mean that he was cleansed from sin. It does mean that he was "set apart." "Sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord" (1 Peter 3:15). The passage cannot mean that we are to "cleanse" Christ; but it does mean, enshrine, set apart, Christ in our hearts as Lord. When one becomes a Christian he is "set apart" to the service of the Master—he is sanctified. Though one is sanctified in becoming a Christian, that does not mean that he cannot sin. This is certain from the language of the Scriptures. The church at Corinth was "sanctified," yet the Holy Spirit says there were those in the "sanctified" church who were "carnal," and sinned. (1 Corinthians 3:3). There were those in that number who so far departed from the right that they needed to be cleansed from defilements of flesh and spirit. (2 Corinthians 7:1).

SAINTS.

Many think that only those who have lived a consecrated Christian life, died and gone on, are "saints." God’s people while living on earth are called "saints.""Sing praises unto Jehovah, O ye saints" (Psalms 30:4). The church at Corinth made a contribution for the "saints" at Jerusalem. (1 Corinthians 16:2). A widow washed the "saints" feet. (1 Timothy 5:10.) It is feared that many valuable lessons are lost by those who think a "saint" is one who has lived a devoted life, and gone on to the great over-world. The members of the early church were not perfect characters. One should not think of saints as those who have been removed from the possibility of sinning. The people at Corinth had worshiped, their morals had reached a low tide when they became Christians, and the change in them was a radical one. Numbers of them committed great sins after being sanctified. divisions. It had been reported to Paul that there were divisions in the church at Corinth. He wrote them: "Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same things, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be per­fected together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Corinthians 1:10). He added: "Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized into the name of Paul?" (1 Corinthians 1:13). The cause of the division in the church at Corinth is not revealed in Paul’s letter; but it appears the division grew out of preferences for men, for teachers, men who had been among them. Paul seeks to correct the sin without giving unnecessary offense saying: "These things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us, ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other." (1 Corinthians 4:6). Jesus prayed for his disciples to be one. (John 17:20-21). The division at Corinth did not grow out of Paul’s preaching, but was the outgrowth of others who followed him. He says: "I laid a foundation; and another buildeth thereon. But let each man take heed how he buildeth thereon" (1 Corinthians 3:10). He defends himself by saying he did not need a letter of commendation as did some others. (1 Corinthians 3:1). Possibly they had been imposed on as had been the church at Ephesus. (Revelation 2:2). Congregations today should be careful, and not allow themselves to be deceived by false teachers. It is a fearful thing to cause division among brethren.

"There are six things which Jehovah hateth; yea seven which are an abomination unto him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood; A heart that deviseth wicked purposes, feet that are swift in running to mischief, a false witness that uttereth lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren." (Proverbs 6:16-19).

"Mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumblings, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned, and turn away from them." (Romans 16:17).

Discord among brethren leads to division, and God hates such characters, as sow discord, cause division. If a man is known to cause division, by teaching false doctrine, he should be warned, and admonished to cease such, but after being warned, he refuses to cease his divisive work, he is to be rejected.

"A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse." (Titus 2:10). The church is the body of Christ, and ministers are men through whom we believe. (1 Corinthians 3:5). He who would cause a division in the church, is guilty of dividing the body of Christ, the church for which Christ died. When division, or strife, or factions exist in the church it is proof that carnality exists.

"For whereas there is among you jealousy and strife, are ye not carnal, and do ye not walk after the manner of men?" (1 Corinthians 3:3). When there arises a faction in the congregation, due to evil practice, or false teaching, if the false teaching cannot be eliminated by winning the faction to conformity to the truth, the only course is to sever such an one from the congregation. (Romans 16:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:6). wearing human names.Names convey ideas. A name may convey the teaching of a whole system. If a man tells you that he is a Methodist, you conclude that he believes the doctrine of the Methodist Church—that he believes it is right to sprinkle water on an unconscious, unbelieving infant, and call that baptism, for that is the teaching of the Methodist. If one does not believe that doctrine, when he says he is a Methodist, he deceives you by saying that he is a Methodist. If a man says he is a Missionary Baptist, one should not question his sincerity, and have no hesitancy in saying the man believes infants are born totally depraved; and that there is not a sin, nor a multiplicity of sins a child of God can possibly commit which will result in his damnation, for that it Missionary Baptist doctrine. If a man does not believe that doctrine, he should not say he is a Missionary Baptist. When a man says he is a member of the church of Christ he conveys the idea that he believes the doctrine taught by Christ and his apostles. nothing in A name. Frequently it is heard: "There is nothing in a name." It is true that one can declare himself to be a Christian, and not be a Christian, but if there is "nothing in a name" if one says he is a Christian, though he may be a rank infidel, does it make him a Chris­tian, to say he is one? Jesus said: "Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). Would it be as efficacious to baptize the people into the name of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and U. S. Grant? The Bible says: "Whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord." (Colossians 3:17). Would it be just as well to sing, and pray in the name of Satan? in the name of Baal?

"If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name" (1 Peter 4:16).

If there is "nothing in a name" would it be right to attempt to "glorify God" in the name of Mohammed, or that wicked Sidonian princess, Jezebel? A fornicator in the church at corinth. In the days of Paul Corinth was one of the greatest cities in Greece, and the church there was prosperous, coming "behind in no gift" (1 Corinthians 1:7). As is often the case with prosperous churches there was a very marked laxity in moral rectitude and sound teaching among them. Often a small con- ’ congregation, with small ability is condemned for doing something which a large group, with outstanding citizens can do without a word of criticism. The church at Corinth was "puffed up," even though they retained in their membership a man guilty of a sin which was not tolerated among the Gentiles.

"It is actually reported that there is a fornicator among you, and such fornicator as is not even among the Gentiles, that one of you hath his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and did not rather mourn that he that hath done this deed might be taken from among you. For I verily being absent in body but present in spirit, have already as though I were present judged him that hath so wrought this thing, in the name of our Lord Jesus, ye being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, to deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." (1 Corinthians 5:1-6). In short Paul says that when they are gathered together they were to sever their connection with the fornicator, for he had turned from Christ and become the servant of Satan. (Romans 6:16). The purpose of the punishment is to bring the sinner to such realization of his sins that he will curb his sinful desires, correct his practice, and bring him to a correction of his life. Deliver such an one to Satan, where restraint will be thrown around him and he can live the abandoned life, and become surfeited, and revolt at the lusts of the flesh, and turn therefrom, that he might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. "A little leaven will leaven the whole lump." The figure is well known. The incestuous man is the leaven. The church at Corinth is represented as the "lump." It the wicked man was allowed to remain in their fellowship the entire congregation would be guilty, by retaining in their fellowship the wicked man. The congregation followed the instruction. The punishment inflected on the man aroused him to the enormity of his sin and he turned therefrom; and they were instructed to restore him to their fellowship. (2 Corinthians 2:7). WITH SUCH A ONE NO, NOT TO EAT

"I wrote unto you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no, not to eat." (1 Corinthians 5:11). That Paul meant the ordinary meal for the physical body, seems to be certain, from the fact that the person he named was to be withdrawn from, which would, of course, preclude eating at the Lord’s Table. The result of refusing to eat the daily meal with them is two-fold. (1) The man would feel the sting of discipline, and (2) the Christians would not be subjected to adverse criticism which would come from associating with such characters.

"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the traditions which they received from us .... And if any man obeyeth not our word by this epistle, note that man, that ye have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed. And yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15.) going to law with A brother. Some in the church at Corinth so far forgot their relationship as brethren, that brother filed suit against brother, before unbelievers in the courts of the land.

’Ye have lawsuits one with another," (1 Corinthians 6:7.)

They should have settled their differences as brethren. "What," Paul inquires: "cannot there be found among you one wise man who shall be able to decide between his brethren." If differences arise between brethren, they should settled them as brethren. If they cannot settle them privately, they should ask other brethren to assist them, and failing in that, it should be presented to the church. (Matthew 18:15-18). Does some one inquire: "What if Brother A owes me a debt and will not pay, when he is confessedly able to do so?" Suppose I tell him that I will sue him; and he replies: The Scripture forbids you suing me, for we are brethren. Should such occur it would be evident that "A" is dishonest, and seeks to use the scriptures to protect him in his dishonesty. It would be a sad comment on the teachings of Christ to say that a man is protected in his dishonesty by the Lord’s teaching. When a member refuses to pay an honest debt when he declares he is able, but will not, he should be withdrawn from, and then he becomes as a Gentile or publican. the lord’s supper. Instead of eating the Lord’s Supper in a reverential, orderly manner, the church at Corinth turned the occasion into a disgraceful feast, eating to gluttony, and drinking to drunkenness. Paul upbraids them, declaring: "Whosoever shall eat the bread and drink the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, he shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord." (1 Corinthians 11:27; 1 Corinthians 11:29). (For a further discussion of the Lord’s Supper see Sound Doctrine, Vol. 3, PP. 89-92.) some denied the resurrection. Some of the members of the church at Corinth denied that there would be a general resurrection. Paul inquired: "Now if Christ is preached that he hath been raised from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither hath Christ been raised" (1 Corinthians 15:12-13). Paul argues that so certain as Christ had been raised, just that certain would there be a resurrection of all the dead. In other words to deny the resurrection of all the dead would be to deny the resurrection of Christ. Christ had promised a resurrection of all the dead. (John 5:29). If Christ was not raised, he was no Savior. If he was not raised as he claimed, and as his chosen witnesses testified, then he was a cheap fraud, and there is nothing in the religion he taught. In that case our preaching is vain, and your faith is vain, and you are yet in your sins. "But Christ having become the high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption. For Christ entered not into a holy place made with hands .... but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us." (Hebrews 9:11-24). If Christ was not raised he has not entered into the holy place for us, from which it follows we are "yet in our sins."

(In this connection it may be informative to add: The Jehovah Witnesses, Russellites, Millennial Dawnites, deny the resurrection of Christ. Hear Mr. Russell the founder of this sect: "Our Lord’s human body, was however, supernaturally removed from the tomb; because had it remained there it would have been an unsurmountable obstacle to the faith of the disciples, who were not yet instructed in spiritual things—’for the Spirit was not yet given’ (John 7:39). We know nothing of what became of it, except that it did not decay or corrupt. (Acts 2:27-31), Whether is was dissolved into gasses or whether it is still preserved somewhere as the grand memorial of God’s love, of Christ’s obedience, and of our redemption, no one knows;—nor is such knowledge necessary." (Studies in Scriptures, Vol. 2, P. 129). If Christ was not raised "ye are yet in your sins." To deliver the kingdom To the father. That the kingdom exists, and God’s people are citizens of it, is so clearly stated that it is denied by no one who believes the Scriptures. "Who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love" (Colossians 1:13). "I, John, your brother and partaker with you in the tribulation and kingdom and patience which are in Jesus" (Revelation 1:9). "The kingdom of God is not in word, but in power" (1 Corinthians 4:20). The kingdom was promised through Daniel, (Daniel 2:44), and Jesus said in the beginning of his ministry: The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand" (Mark 1:15). Jesus is now reigning. (1 Corinthians 15:25). He was promised the "throne of David" (Isaiah 9:6-7). What throne is David’s throne? "Solomon sat upon the throne of David his father" (1 Kings 2:12). What more need be said? Jesus is now the great high priest, at the right hand of the Father, seated on the throne, and him the "heaven must receive until the time of restoration of all things whereof God spake by the mouth of his holy prophets" (Acts 3:21. How long will the heavens "receive" Christ? Till the "restoration of all things" spoken by God’s prophets. "I will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from the grave" (Hosea 13:14). God promised by the prophet the "new heaven and new earth" (Isaiah 66:22). Christ was to be "received" in heaven how long? Till all is fulfilled which was spoken by the mouth of all the prophets. Then not till the new heaven and new earth, appear not till all are ransomed from the grave will he cease to be "received in heaven." "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness, looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of the Lord, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? But, according to his promise, we look for a new heaven and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness" (2 Peter 3:10-13). The heavens will "receive" Christ till he comes again, and at that time the dead will be raised— ransomed from death—and meet the Lord in the air. The earth and works thereof will be burned, the new heaven and new earth will appear, and we will be with the Lord for ever—the kingdom will then be delivered to the Father. The Lord will reign till all enemies are put under his feet, and the last enemy is death. (1 Corinthians 15:22-26).

SUBJECTS FOR INVESTIGATION AND DISCUSSION

• Spiritual Gifts.

• Collection For Poor Saints.

• Paul’s enemies.

• Corinth’s Repentance.

• New Heaven and New Earth.

QUESTIONS