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Sunday, November 18, 2012 pm            Corinthians Index

STUDIES IN 1 CORINTHIANS (51)
The Commandments of the Lord
1 Corinthians 14:36-40

 AS we continue our study of 1 Corinthians we now reach the conclusion of Paul’s discourse on spiritual gifts and the church.   We have discussed many things including the origin of spiritual gifts, the need for love and unity in using these gifts and regulations concerning their use in the public assembly.   In this final lesson of this section we will notice Paul’s challenge to these brethren to respect the source of his teachings.  It is actually a pretty strong challenge.

 I.                     The Text – Recall that in our past few lessons we have discussed various instructions that limit conduct in the worship service. In our last lesson we discussed the limited role of women in the worship assembly.  It is with these things that we consider our text this evening.

 II.                    Did the word of God come originally from you?  Or was it you only that it reached? (36)

a.        It seems that some of the things Paul was addressing were exclusive to the church at Corinth (or at least not widespread).  Many believe that they had allowed women to overstep their boundaries, as that is the last thing we find before these instructions. 

b.       Paul challenges their different behavior from other congregations. He asks if they had authority to make the rules the way they wanted, or was their some revelation unique to them that put them over others.  The obvious answer to both questions is a rhetorical, NO! 

c.        Lesson: Do churches have the authority to make their own rules?  Absolutely not! 

                                                   i.      When churches begin to do whatever they want regardless of whether or not they have authority, not only do you have lawlessness (by definition), you also have division and confusion.  There are many who want nothing to do with organized religion because everyone does what is right in his own eyes.

                                                  ii.      Recall that the first problem Paul addressed was division in their midst (1 Cor. 1:10), and he condemned it.  He called their behavior carnal and childish (1 Cor. 3:1-4). 

                                                iii.      That is why we stress the authority of God’s word.   The only way to avoid division is if everyone will follow the same standard.  We know that what Paul taught was consistent everywhere he went.  While in different epistles, he addressed different issues, but there was no contradiction. 
1 Cor. 4:17 says that Paul taught his ways in Christ, “as I teach everywhere in every church.”
1 Cor. 7:17, “And so I ordain in all the churches.”
1 Cor.14:33, “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
He also said to these same brethren, “that you learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.” (1 Cor. 4:6)
Peter said it this way, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.” (1 Pet. 4:11)

                                                iv.      Whenever two or more congregations faced the same problems, Paul’s instructions were consistent.  Even Peter recognized the teachings of Paul as true and consistent with his teachings (2 Pet. 3:15-16)

 

  III.                  If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.”  (37) 

a.        Paul is very blunt in asserting his apostolic authority in this verse.  It is actually a test of whether or not one should be accepted as a true prophet of God or spiritual (i.e. possessing spiritual gifts).  When you study 2 Corinthians you find that not all responded positively to Paul.  In fact, the letter is written for the purpose of defending both his ministry and his apostleship.

b.       Was Paul an apostle of Christ?

                                                   i.      He certainly claimed to be one – in most of his letters he begins by identifying himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ.  In 1^st Corinthians he began by saying, “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God.” (1 Cor. 1:1)

2 Cor. 11:5 says, “For I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles.”  This statement will lead to a discussion of his apostleship.

                                                  ii.      Yet, he was an apostle out of due season. (1 Cor. 15:8)  Paul always claimed to be the apostle to the Gentiles, having a special purpose.  That was even borne out to Ananias who baptized him (Ac. 9:10-16, 22:12-16, 21).

                                                iii.      He suffered as an apostle – 2 Cor. 11:22-29 – Paul describes some of the things he endured.  The point is his ministry or apostleship was NOT self-serving.  Also 2 Cor. 12:11.

                                                iv.      He was a witness of Christ (cf. Acts 1:21-22).  2 Cor. 12:1-6 speaks of a man who was caught up to heaven and heard words inexpressible.  Paul was very likely speaking of himself.
1 Corinthians 9:1 Paul says, “Am I not an apostle?  Am I not free?  Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?...”
1 Cor. 15:8, in concluding the list of witnesses who had seen the resurrected Jesus he said, “Then last of all He was seen by me, as one born out of due time.” 

                                                  v.      He was acknowledged by the other apostles – 2 Pet. 3:15-16.  Acts 15 finds an occasion when Peter, Paul, James and others TOGETHER complement one another in the matter of going to the Gentiles.  Gal. 2:7-9  shows that they recognized him as an apostle to the Gentiles and “gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship,…”

                                                vi.      2 Cor. 12:12, “Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.” 
1 Cor. 2:4, “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power…”
Paul not only performed all sorts of miracles (it seems the apostles were able to perform many (or perhaps all) spiritual gifts), but he had the ability to lay hands on others so that they could receive these gifts (cf. Acts 8:14-17).    In Acts 19:6 we find him laying his hands on some in Ephesus and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.  Also 2 Tim. 1:6, he laid hands on Timothy which gave him at least some sort of gift.

c.        THEREFORE, as an apostle, what we have revealed from him is inspired and thus it is to be respected as if God Himself were speaking.    That was the point of his statement.

 

  IV.                  But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. (38)  In this verse, Paul addresses one who refuses to accept this truth.   The word “ignorant” means to refuse to think about something or pay attention to it.  The KJV, NKJV, ASV seem to indicate a simple rejection of such a one, but the real point is that if one refuses to accept the teachings Paul has addressed or his authority, that we are to refuse to pay attention to him.  The NASU says, “But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.”
Consider 2 John 9-10, 2 Thess. 3:6, 14, Rom. 16:17, etc.  All these texts challenge us to reject one who rejects the truth!

 V.                   “Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophecy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.” (39) 
Paul is concluding what we have discussed in great detail in previous lessons on this chapter – spiritual gifts were to be utilized within their prescribed boundaries.  Recall how we have emphasized those things which are beneficial and actually instructed, as opposed to self-serving interests.  AS he said in vs. 12, “Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.”

 

 VI.                  “Let all things be done decently and in order.” (40) 

a.        We have witnessed several examples of this in our text, both proper and improper. 

b.       We must apply this rule in our worship services – is our singing orderly?  Is it designed to teach and admonish or to demonstrate our musical talents? 
Do we start and end in an orderly fashion?
Are the acts of worship true to their purpose and beneficial?  Do they really edify us?
Is the lesson that is preached orderly and useful?
(There have been churches where a preacher doesn’t prepare and will “let the spirit guide me in what I say.” At times, such can lead to drivel.)

This chapter has given us a good insight into how worship services were conducted in the first century.  The times have certainly changed.  We may sing different songs and use modern tools to deliver the message, but the spirit and truth of worship must remain the same.  Whatever we do, it must respect the precepts and pattern we have been given in His word.  IT is still the church of Christ and must be treated as such. 

To do anything else is to dismiss the teachings of God as delivered by Paul, the other apostles and other inspired writers.  I don’t want to stand before Him having done that.  What about you?