Christ's Instructions

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109) 1Cor 14:1a . . Pursue charity

The Greek noun for "charity" in that command is agape (ag-ah'-pay) which,
in most cases, is a very easy kind of love to practice. Though agape may, or
may not, include the sentiments of fondness and/or affection like the Greek
word phileo (fil-eh'-o), it always exemplifies benevolence; defined by
Webster's as the disposition to do good, i.e. kindness, consideration,
generosity, courtesy, lenience, tolerance, patience, sympathy, assistance,
civility, friendliness, etc.

Agape love does no harm to its neighbor. (Rom 13:10)

In a nutshell, agape love allows us to be nice to people without particularly
liking them.
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110) 1Cor 14:1b . . eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of
prophecy.

This particular prophecy genre is different than prognostication. This
relates to inspirational speakers.

● 1Cor 14:3 . . Everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their
strengthening, their encouragement, and their comfort.
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[Fred J]

* We chose to start in the book of Acts because that's pretty much where
Christ's apostles began telling his believing followers what to do in accord
with the Lord's instructions per Matt 28:19-20.

How about starting from the Gospel according to Matthew from chapter 5 onward?

 

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How about starting from the Gospel according to Matthew from chapter 5 onward?

That would be interesting, and a worthwhile project; but please; not here. A
thread of your own started for that purpose would be a better way to go; and
should keep you busy for quite a while to come if you do all four gospels a
little at a time every day.
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[Fred J]

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That would be interesting, and a worthwhile project; but please; not here. A
thread of your own started for that purpose would be a better way to go; and
should keep you busy for quite a while to come if you do all four gospels a
little at a time every day.
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Point taken, tqvm

 

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As a matter of interest: the 5th, 6th, and 7th chapters of Matthew contain
the so-called Sermon On The Mount. Similar to that is Jesus' sermon on the
plain contained in Luke 6:17-7:49.

In time I discovered that the Sermon isn't something to be admired; no, it's
something to be feared because failure to incorporate Jesus' teachings in
one's manner of life will result in disaster.

● Matt 7:26-27 . . Everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not
act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the
floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house; and it collapsed
and was completely ruined.

For that reason I strongly suggest that the impious amongst us find some
privacy and in their own words tell God they have not complied with the
Sermon On The Mount and suspect they never will. Then tell God that if it's
okay with Him they'd like to take advantage of His son's crucifixion to
protect themselves from retribution. That would be a very smart step in the
right direction.

● Rom 5:6-8 . . Christ died for the impious. Very rarely will anyone die for a
righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still
sinners, Christ died for us.

* The pronouns "we" & "us" in that passage implies the writer included
himself amongst the impious and the sinners for whom Christ died.
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[Fred J]

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As a matter of interest: the 5th, 6th, and 7th chapters of Matthew contain
the so-called Sermon On The Mount. Similar to that is Jesus' sermon on the
plain contained in Luke 6:17-7:49.

In time I discovered that the Sermon isn't something to be admired; no, it's
something to be feared because failure to incorporate Jesus' teachings in
one's manner of life will result in disaster.

● Matt 7:26-27 . . Everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not
act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the
floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house; and it collapsed
and was completely ruined.

For that reason I strongly suggest that the impious amongst us find some
privacy and in their own words tell God they have not complied with the
Sermon On The Mount and suspect they never will. Then tell God that if it's
okay with Him they'd like to take advantage of His son's crucifixion to
protect themselves from retribution. That would be a very smart step in the
right direction.

● Rom 5:6-8 . . Christ died for the impious. Very rarely will anyone die for a
righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still
sinners, Christ died for us.

* The pronouns "we" & "us" in that passage implies the writer included
himself amongst the impious and the sinners for whom Christ died.
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That's why all born again, as i was, should start discipleship from Matthew chapter 5 to the Book of Revelation, the New Covenant GOD by Christ given and made with us.

Another thing, it's about how a disciple come to know the truth and the truth shall set him free. That is, unless a born again be disciple and continue/abide in Jesus' word/teaching, from Matthew to Revelation the context. (John 8:31&32), (2Timothy3:16&17)

'Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not GOD. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the FATHER and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him GOD speed: For he that biddeth him GOD speed is partaker of his evil deeds.' (2 John 1:9-11)

Even though we may witness many churches who have not ministered these doctrine and continue/abide not. But, we may experience the presence of GOD or HIS angels perhaps in their gathering. Lest any one be deceived, because, 'Even satan disguises himself as an angel of Light. And it is not surprising his servants(man of god) disguises themselves as servants of righteousness.'

 

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114) 1Cor 14:29-32 . .Two, or three, prophets should speak, and everyone
else should weigh carefully what is said. If a revelation comes to someone
who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy
in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of
the prophets are subject to the prophets.

Though God endows certain Spirit-selected people in church with the gift of
prophecy (1Cor 12:4-11) it is not He who endows them with the compulsion
to talk all at once and/or talk out of turn. Chaos prevention is their
responsibility; not His, no matter how inspired they might be, nor how
important they think their information is.

* Actual prophets channel God's thoughts; viz: they speak as the voice of
God. People with opinions don't speak as the voice of God at all; they speak
as themselves. True prophets are revelators; people with opinions are little
more than a nuisance; they muddy the waters and if not kept in check will
quickly derail a Sunday school class and drag it off onto perpetual debating
that never gets to the bottom of anything.
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115) 1Cor 14:34 . . Women should remain silent in the churches. They are
not allowed to speak; but must be in submission (i.e. subordinate to the
men)

It could be argued, with some merit, that this rule applies only to tongues
and prophecy; but Paul goes further with this rule in a letter to his friend
Timothy.

"Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman
to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam
was first formed, then Eve." (1Tim 2:11-13)

It's important to note that this is neither a politicaql issue nor an issue related
to competence; it's an issue related to primogeniture. For that reason it's an
insubordinate act of contempt for authority when Christian women lead
Christian men in a Christian congregation.

FAQ: Doesn't 1Cor 11:3-10 permit women to pray and/or prophecy just so
long as they cover their hair?

REPLY: There is a gender limit to that privilege. In other words: Christian
woman are not allowed to pray and/or prophecy in the hearing of a mixed
congregation; i.e. where Christian men are present.

FAQ: What about women like Anne Graham Lotz and/or Tara-Leigh Cobble?
Aren't they out of order?

REPLY: The rule is limited to congregational meetings. It doesn't include
public venue's, e.g. forums, street corners, coliseums, stadiums, convention
centers, radio, television, or social media like YouTube and/or Facebook.

FAQ: What about Deborah in the Old Testament book of judges? Exactly how
was she an exception to the rule, if indeed she was?

REPLY: Things are quite a bit different now with Christ at the helm, i.e.
Christ's association with his church trumps Deborah's association with the
Jews. I do not recommend using her, or any other woman in the Bible, as an
excuse to defy Christ's edicts in matters pertaining to the governance of
Christian congregations.

NOTE: Debbie was neither a priest nor a member of the Sanhedrin; her
involvement in the Jews' affairs was limited to her position as a judge, viz:
the Temple's sacred business was none of her business; that was strictly a
man's world.

* Paul appealed to "the law" as the basis for 1Cor 14:34. Normally when
Paul speaks of the law he's referring to the covenant that Moses' people
agreed upon with God as per Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Exactly where in the covenant that women are forbidden to preach, or teach,
or usurp authority over men in matters of religion, I don't know. However,
it's quite obvious that the covenant is very sexist, i.e. women are not
permitted in either the priesthood or the Sanhedrin.

However; the law doesn't always speak explicitly about certain things.
Sometimes the law's rules and procedures imply principles that we call "the
spirit of the law". For example Jesus' critics were educated experts in the
black and white letter of the law relative to the weekly routine sabbath but
they were as illiterate as mannequins in regard to applying the spirit of the
sabbath. (Matt 12:1-13 & Mark 3:1-5)
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116) 1Cor 14:35 . . If women have questions, they should ask their own
husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.

What's an inquiring wife to do if her husband is spiritually inept? I'd suggest
that women married to spiritually inept Christian men, and/or women
married to non-Christian men, and/or unmarried women; seek assistance
from one of the ladies in church known to be somewhat of a Bible expert.

But for safety's sake, she shouldn't seek assistance from another woman's
husband; even if he's the pastor, or a deacon, or an elder; it's not only
disobedient, but that's also how rumors (and other things) get started.
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117) 1Cor 14:37-38 . . If anybody thinks he's a prophet or spiritually gifted,
let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command.

If your Sunday school, or your catechism class, is being chaired by
somebody who disagrees with the Lord's commands regulating women's
subordination, or the use and abuse of tongues, and/or the speaking of
prophecy; then believe me you have a serious problem because it indicates
that your leader is humanistic rather than inspired.
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118) 1Cor 14:38 . . But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

In other words: if a spiritual influence refuses to accept the apostle Paul as a
duly authorized agent speaking for Christ; then do not try to fix them.
Instead, accept the influence as severely compromised; and avoid speaking
with them about your religion. In point of fact: it's probably best to regard them
as feral creatures. (Matt 7:6)
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[Cassandra]

Priscilla and Aquila, Phoebe, Euodia and Syntyche?

 

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119) 1Cor 14:39 . .Therefore, brethren, be eager to prophesy, and do not
forbid speaking in tongues.

That rule applies only to people who actually have the gifts of tongues
and/or prophesy because according to Rom 12:4-6, 1Cor 12:10, 1Cor
12:29-30, and 1Cor 14:5 not everyone does.

So then; it's okay to speak in a tongue, and it's okay to prophesy, but both
must be done not only according to the rules, but also as if by adults in
possession of their faculties, i.e. grown-ups.

● 1Cor 14:40 . . Let all things be done decorously and in proper order.
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[O'Darby]

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There's been times during our 26+ years of internet forum activity when
we've encountered folks wanting to know what they're supposed to do now
that they decided to become a Christian.

A mega Baptist church that my wife and I attended back in the decade of the
1970's had a discipleship program that incorporated an outreach booklet
called "The Four Spiritual Laws" authored in 1952 by Campus Crusade for
Christ founder Dr. Bill Bright.

Those guidelines are helpful as far as they go, but they're pretty elementary
and in our opinion inadequate for taking Christ's believing followers to
infinity and beyond, so to speak.

Some years ago, just for the fun of it, we set out compiling a home-spun
catalogue of Christ's instructions from the new Testament that apply to all
his followers regardless of denominational affiliation. In time we realized that
his instructions, accompanied by a little commentary, would make a pretty
good how-to handbook; so here it is.

* We chose to start in the book of Acts because that's pretty much where
Christ's apostles began telling his believing followers what to do in accord
with the Lord's instructions per Matt 28:19-20.

Buen Camino
(Pleasant Journey)
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FWIW, I came to Christ in 1970 and was a student leader with Campus Crusade (now CRU, which IMO has little in common with the old Campus Crusade). The Four Spiritual Laws was a witnessing tract we used to introduce Christianity to students in college dorms and frat houses. It was not intended to be anything more than a conversation-starter, with the hope that the conversation would lead to a conversion. In that limited context, I think it still holds up pretty well.

 

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120) 1Cor 15:34 . . Come to your senses and stop sinning. For to your
shame I say that some of you don't have the knowledge of God.

That directive is in connection with some of the Corinthians' insistence that
dead people stay dead and never recover.

● 1Cor 15:12 . . Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the
dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the
dead?

Apparently some of the Corinthians couldn't see that Christ's resurrection is
evidence that it's possible for dead people to recover. A measure of that
blindness exists even today among people who insist that Christ's crucified
dead body didn't recover. They insist he rose from the dead with another
body: a so-called glorified body; and some even insist that Christ returned
from the dead as a spirit being rather than a human being, and others
postulate that his post crucifixion appearances were done as an angel
disguised in a fully functioning human avatar. But if any of that were true,
then Christ's prediction at John 2:19-22 would be easily invalidated.

According to 1Cor 15:51-53 and 1Thes 4:13-17, the natural remains of
Christ's followers will first revive as they were and then be transformed into
something very wonderful during a flight up to meet the Lord in the air.

There is really no sensible reason to not believe that Christ underwent the
very same process, i.e. his crucified remains were first returned to life just
as he predicted; and then forty days later, at some point during the flight up
to heaven as per Acts 1:9, his revived mortal body underwent
transformation into an immortal superhuman body.

According to 1Cor 15:34, people who believe Christ's crucified dead body is
still dead aren't fully conscious; viz: they're like someone in a stupor; i.e.
dazed.
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121) 1Cor 15:56-58 . .The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is The
Commandments; but thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our
Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing
discourage you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of The Lord,
because you know that your labor in The Lord isn't futile.

When I was a growing Catholic boy, The Commandments kept me anxious
about my afterlife future. Well, no more; not since I discovered that Jesus'
crucifixion somehow manages to insulate people from The Commandments'
ability to ruin their chances for happiness in eternity.

"He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are
healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his
own way; and The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isa 53:5-6)

"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful
nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having
canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that
stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross." (Col 2:13-15)

In light of those two passages. I have to agree with the angel the night
Christ was born that his was a message of "great joy". (Luke 2:10)

Now; just imagine if somebody had it in the back of their mind that they
might be giving The Lord unreserved quantities of their time, talent, and
resources in a thankless endeavor only to end up being condemned anyway
as per Matt 7:22-23. Well, Paul assured the Corinthians that Christ's work on
the cross, and in the grave and out of the grave, guaranteed that wouldn't
happen to them-- their future in a better life was in the bag; therefore they
needn't fear that in the end their work for The Lord will be judged all for
nothing.

Ironically; and at the time of his writing, the Corinthians were not all that
spiritual. (1Cor 3:1-3). However; though their work in The Lord was being
performed by Christians whose spirituality was basically substandard, they
were still useful; which tells me that it isn't necessary to be a super saint
before one can begin serving Christ. Just serve him as best you can and pay
no attention to your location on the curve: keeping in mind that loyalty and
reliability count more than quantity.
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122) 1Cor 16:1-3 . . Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I
told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of
you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it
up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when I
arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send
them with your gift to Jerusalem.

The "God's people" to whom Paul referred were Jewish Christians whose
church was located at Jerusalem. They were having it pretty rough in the
early days of Christianity.

Lest somebody should get the wrong idea, that wasn't a tithe. Christ left it
up to each individual in Corinth the amount that they felt like donating
towards the Jews' relief effort.

● 2Cor 9:7 . . Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to
give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Tithes are not gifts; no, tithes are demanded rather than donated out of the
goodness of one's heart. I don't give the government my taxes; no, they
wrest them from me by force of law; viz: I pay taxes against my will, both
reluctantly and under compulsion; and I have little to no say in how revenue
is allocated. When it comes to taxes: I am not cheerful; no, I am grudging.
Well; that is not Christian giving. No; Christians have a faith that works by
love, not by law. (Gal 5:6)

NOTE: It would be interesting to take a poll among America's churches just
to see, out of curiosity, how many have a program for assisting Jewish
Christians over in the modern State of Israel.
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123) 1Cor 16:13a . . Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be men of
courage; be strong.

The Greek word for "men of courage" basically means to act manly; defined
by Webster's as: (1) having qualities generally associated with a man; viz:
strength and virility, and (2) appropriate in character to a man.

Well; we sure don't want the Christian women in church to become so-called
strong women; i.e. she-males. Masculinity is appropriate for men; but
definitely not for women. We want them to stand firm in the faith in a
feminine way rather than a masculine way.
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124) 1Cor 16:14 . . Do everything in love.

The Greek word translated "love" in this instance doesn't necessarily indicate
fondness or affection but does indicate benevolence; defined by Webster's as
the disposition to do good, e.g. generosity, charity, altruism, compassion,
and sympathy, i.e. thoughtful, cordial, affable, genial, sociable, cheerful,
warm, sensitive, hospitable, considerate, tactful, diplomatic,
accommodating, cooperative, kind, courteous, lenient, tolerant, patient,
helpful, civil, approachable, and friendly, etc.

I would imagine that "everything" includes the business of managing a
Church.

If a church officer's management practices tend to be more Machiavellian
than Christian, then maybe he really ought to consider stepping down and
finding himself a seat in a pew rather than a chair on the board. I mean it;
this is not something to take lightly. 1Cor 16:14 isn't optional; it's
mandatory.
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