1 Corinthians 5 - A "brother" (v. 11) in the church at Corinth was having sexual relations with his father's wife. Paul described the unusual nature of this sin when he said that it was "not so much as named among the gentiles, that one should have his father's wife" (v. 1). This man's behavior was wrong, but also wrong was the tolerance of his behavior by the Corinthian church. Paul condemned these sins, and the necessary corrections were subsequently made (2 Cor. 2:6; 7:11). But what was the spiritual condition of the fornicator before his repentance? If he remained saved, why did Paul command the Corinthians to withdraw their association from him (vs. 4, 5, 9, 11, 13)? Did the fornicator remain saved while engaging in sin? The "once-saved-always-saved" proponent will have to say yes. However, the Bible says differently. By comparing the list of sins in 1 Corinthians 5:11 with the list in chapter 6:9, 10, we learn that a Christian can commit the same sins that can be committed by a non-Christian. We also learn the consequence of these sins. Paul said that those who do such things "shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor. 6:9, 10). This means that before his repentance and forgiveness, the Corinthian fornicator had lost his access to heaven - he had fallen from grace. Paul first lays the groundwork for the context of what he is gonna talk about. The problem he addresses in the Corinthian church is sexual morality. Specifically, incest of some sort (Mother or step mother..probably the latter) (1Cor 5:1). Then he moves to those who have approved of the sexual behavior and rightly condemns them (1Cor 5:2). As a side note, Paul elsewhere condemns people who approve of those that practice sin (Rom 1:32). Why didn't they loose ... ... middle of paper ... ...hat have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (1Cor 5:10-13) Paul declares that he nor any Christian has the authority from God to execute an excommunication order against anyone that is not a Christian. In fact, it would be impossible to even to that for we would have to leave the world altogether to accomplish such a feat. If this sinning Christian really lost his “saved position” then that places him back into the category of “the world” which Paul explicitly states we have no excommunication authority over. If his fornication cost him his salvation, then he was no longer a brother but and outsider and we have to authority to judge a person in such a manner. Only a real Christian can be excommunicated from the church.
While driving behind a vehicle plastered in bumper stickers, the first one to catch someone’s attention may say “Real Christians don’t judge.” Most will not give it a second thought, while others may analyze its message and the individual giving the message. In general this sticker may be found on a variety of vehicles. The vehicle itself is not as important as the individual driving it. While discussing this bumper sticker it will be important to understand where it is found, the fallacies it involves and the problems with the argument.
In what is noted as one of Plato first accounts, we become acquainted with a very intriguing man known as Socrates; a man, whose ambition to seek knowledge, inevitably leaves a significant impact on humanity. Most of all, it is methodologies of attaining this knowledge that makes him so mesmerizing. This methodology is referred to as Socratic irony, in literature. In any case, I will introduce the argument that Plato's Euthyphro is extremely indicative of this type of methodology, for the reason being that: Socrates's portrays a sense of intellectual humility.
The book of Acts is known as 'the birth of the church'. Acts recounts the story of
Throughout many of Paul’s letters there are many debates pertaining to the authorship, destination, date, and the purpose. In the book of Ephesians many scholars debate on the authorship and if Paul actually wrote the letter, or if it was a scribe. Although there are some debates on whether Paul actually wrote it or not, he does refer to himself twice in the letter. In 1:1 and in 3:1 Paul states himself, 1:3 states, “For this reason, I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles” (NIV) In verse 1:3 Paul states that he is a prisoner, therefore it is debated that he did not specifically write this because he was imprisoned in Rome at this time. According to Wallace “This, of course, is not to say that the letter must be by Paul, but it is to argue that without such internal testimony, no such claim could be made” (Wallace). Many scholars also debate on the vocabulary usage and the structure of the letter. Some believe that the structure is similar, but the vocabulary seems to be different than his New Testament epistles. Hoehner claims that,” Though the book has a close affinity with Colossians, critics claim that Ephesians is uncharacteristic of Paul” (Hoehner 613). The destination of Ephesians is somewhat debated, but many do believe that the letter was sent to the church of Ephesus. “Some to claim that Ephesus is a better starting point, others suggest Caesarea.” (Wallace) Although this is an argument that has many valid points, it is obvious that Paul was imprisoned in Rome while he wrote Ephesians. It is said by Hoehner that “Ephesians was probably delivered by Tychicus (Eph. 6:21-22), who also took Paul’s letter to Colossians (Col. 4:7-9)” (Hoehner 613). As for the date goes m...
...beral - perhaps amoral - society, adultery can be justified if we are truly in love or somehow deceived in marriage. There are many in our society today that would teach that adultery is not a great sin, but rather the guilt is the sin. They would say, "I am no devil, for there is none." In general, if you declare something not to be a sin, or at least a justifiable sin, you can do away with the guilt. According to Christian theology, however, there is a catch that states, in 1 Corinthians 32:12, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." When we know of our self-deception perfectly, hell has arrived, the day has passed, and we are no longer able to repent. From a Christian's perspective, you can deny or disagree with what God declares to be sin, but only temporarily ...
However, Paul believes that a sin is a sin; there is no difference between a small sin and a large sin. Augustine believes that there are many more than just the Seven Deadly Sins and he classifies all the sins on different levels of severity. Contrastingly, Paul believes that all sinners are to be punished equally. In his letters, he writes that the Corinthians should “not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters…nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” (I Corinthians 6:9–10). He makes it very clear to the Corinthians that God does not distinguish based on the magnitude of the sin. Your sin may be that you stole a piece of fruit, as Augustine did, or that you killed a man; God is going to give everyone the same punishment. This distinction between the beliefs of Paul and the beliefs of Augustine is important as, it shows us that Augustine believed in redemption whereas Paul did not. Paul wrote about ways to avoid sinning in his letter but never about how to redeem oneself on sinning after one’s baptism. On the other hand, Augustine states that one can cleanse their soul of small sins by daily prayer to
Upon reading first Corinthians 6:18-20, “Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body” (
The Book of Romans Romans is a very important addition to the Bible. This is written by Paul to the Roman church. Much of Romans is showing the righteousness of God in different ways. “Romans road” passages are a great description of how to lead someone to christ (His saving righteousness).
The Christian views on sexuality were not developed based on Christian beliefs alone. The Hellenistic perspective became one of the greatest influences on the development of Christian theology because of its opposing views to what the Catholic people believed to be morally correct. Homosexuality was not cons...
In 1 Corinthians 12-14, Paul set out to address the issues of exclusivity and the divide among the converts of Corinth that has been caused because of spiritual gifts. Paul set a guideline to his converts in Corinth to create order and conduct during times of worship in 1 Corinthians 14:26-33. Doing so, Paul hoped that the divide that has been caused from those with special or “exclusive” spiritual gifts do not cause other believers to become jealous or envious. Paul’s guideline to the Corinthians showed the leadership that Paul had that allowed him to guide the Church to become Hellenistic in just one generation.
address a problem, which the Corinthians had concerning an interpretation of sex and marriage. Paul's words in these verses of Scripture should be understood in light of the broader teaching of the Bible concerning sex and marriage. Before devoting our attention to the distorted views of sex and marriage held by some of the Corinthians, we must understand what the Bible has to say about the subject of marriage.
Case study # 4 says: One of your parents/ family members/ friends has been caught cheating with another person. She/he asks for forgiveness and desires to work through the problem. The worksheet that may be helpful for the case would be the Temptations worksheet. This worksheet talks about more than one example of Jesus being tempted. One temptation was in Matthew 4:1-4 and Luke 4:1-4. The devil is tempting Jesus to turn the bread into stones to prove that he was Jesus after he had fasted for forty days and forty nights. Jesus was famished but did not give in to the temptation but responded by saying, Matthew 4:4… “It is written, one does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Forgiving someone and trying to work through the problem is an example practicing the word of God. Matthew 5:44-45 says, “…Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven…” I’m not saying that cheating one someone is okay and over time if the person keeps cheating I’m not saying that cheating one
2380 Adultery refers to marital infidelity. When two partners, of whom at least one is married to another party, have sexual relations - even transient ones - they commit adultery. Christ condemns even adultery of mere desire.170 The sixth commandment and the New Testament forbid adultery absolutely.171 The prophets denounce the gravity of adultery; they see it as an image of the sin of idolatry.172
Jesus did not stand there and talk about how bad adultery was, nor did Jesus tell them she deserved what the law commanded. Jesus covered her by reminding them, they had sin in their lives as well. “Who is without sin cast the first stone?” Everyone walked away; so what does that do for the theory that some sin is far worst then other sin, and therefore, needs to be dealt with strongly? I believe it shows us that all sin needs God’s grace. God’s grace covers our sin by giving us his righteousness. Jesus told the woman, “neither do I condemn you, go and sin no
...that to the Lord and he will make the right decision. He will decide what the sinner does and doesn't deserve.