Helps In Understanding A Most Controversial Text
I Corinthians 12
Reasons for confusion:
1. Ignorance of our fleshly approach to scripture. “What’s in it for ME. What’s MY Gift?
2. Ignorance of the Trinitarian Nature and Operation of our God. This chapter is a powerful testimony to our Glorious Triune God.
3. And growing out of point #2, Ignorance of our Father’s Will and Pleasure.
4. Ignorance of our Union with Christ Jesus, our Head.
The Father’s Will in all that He Does: Ephesians 1:9-10 The gathering together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth.
How does I Cor. 12 reflect the Father’s Will and good Pleasure?
Vs 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 20, 24,25, 27
Who is in Charge of the outworking of the Father’s Will in this chapter?
Vs 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13 It would appear that whatever the outward gift, it is actually the manifestation of the Holy Spirit!!!
What is the Goal of the Father’s Will and the Spirit’s Outworking Vs 12, 20, 24-27 The manifestation of Christ, the Son of God, in His Body, the Church!!!
Note the “Union Statement” in Verse 12. Paul says that our human body has many members and yet is one body, now notice: “so also is Christ”. Notice, he doesn’t say “so also is the body of Christ. Ephesians 1:15-23, Col. 1:12-18, 24, Heb. 13:20-21 Similar in emphasis to “if you have seen me you have seen the Father.” John 14:9 We need to understand our Union with Him!!!
Therefore, Who is the Dominate Person in this chapter?
What is the dominate subject of this chapter?
So what about the “gifts”, what is their purpose?
Vs 7, Vs 28 leads us to think of a parallel passage in Ephesians 3:12-16 where we have the purpose being the equipping of the saints, the edifying the body of Christ till we come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God . That we may grow up in all things Into Him Who is the Head—Christ!!! Two different churches, but the same author—according to their maturity to receive!
The word “gift”. #5486 charisma—a spiritual endowment, a favor which one receives without any merit of his own. Same word used in Romans 5:15-16, and in Romans 6:23. Our eternal life is a “charisma” from God.
Next week: The gifts God has given to His Church!!!
I Corinthians 12
Reasons for confusion:
1. Ignorance of our fleshly approach to scripture. “What’s in it for ME. What’s MY Gift?
2. Ignorance of the Trinitarian Nature and Operation of our God. This chapter is a powerful testimony to our Glorious Triune God.
3. And growing out of point #2, Ignorance of our Father’s Will and Pleasure.
4. Ignorance of our Union with Christ Jesus, our Head.
The Father’s Will in all that He Does: Ephesians 1:9-10 The gathering together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth.
How does I Cor. 12 reflect the Father’s Will and good Pleasure?
Vs 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 20, 24,25, 27
Who is in Charge of the outworking of the Father’s Will in this chapter?
Vs 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13 It would appear that whatever the outward gift, it is actually the manifestation of the Holy Spirit!!!
What is the Goal of the Father’s Will and the Spirit’s Outworking Vs 12, 20, 24-27 The manifestation of Christ, the Son of God, in His Body, the Church!!!
Note the “Union Statement” in Verse 12. Paul says that our human body has many members and yet is one body, now notice: “so also is Christ”. Notice, he doesn’t say “so also is the body of Christ. Ephesians 1:15-23, Col. 1:12-18, 24, Heb. 13:20-21 Similar in emphasis to “if you have seen me you have seen the Father.” John 14:9 We need to understand our Union with Him!!!
Therefore, Who is the Dominate Person in this chapter?
What is the dominate subject of this chapter?
So what about the “gifts”, what is their purpose?
Vs 7, Vs 28 leads us to think of a parallel passage in Ephesians 3:12-16 where we have the purpose being the equipping of the saints, the edifying the body of Christ till we come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God . That we may grow up in all things Into Him Who is the Head—Christ!!! Two different churches, but the same author—according to their maturity to receive!
The word “gift”. #5486 charisma—a spiritual endowment, a favor which one receives without any merit of his own. Same word used in Romans 5:15-16, and in Romans 6:23. Our eternal life is a “charisma” from God.
Next week: The gifts God has given to His Church!!!