Thread: A question on Christian Scripture.

In the first example Paul the Apostle is speaking to the members of the newly founded church at Corinth. Note in the first chapter of that epistle Paul tells them that some of them are engaging in behavior that not even pagans practice. So he is dealing with 'babes in Christ' and therefore giving them, metaphorically speaking milk because they cannot yet comprehend the more advanced spiritual principles. the meat. He is pointing out to them that they have not yet 'put off the old man, behold all things become new', evidenced by their continuing to engage in envying, strifes and divisions.

Paul's epistles were letters to the early Christian groups giving them exhortation and correction. The 13th chapter of that book deals with people who were demonstrative of 'gifts of the spirit' in church but didn't demonstrate the fruits of the spirit once they walked out the door. So Paul tell them 'if I speak with the tongues of men or of angels and have not charity (love) I am as a tinkling cymbal or a clanging brass.' We see the same things today as we did then because times change but people aren't much different.

I once heard the great Presbyterian pastor Donald Barnhouse say, "If you want to know what a born again Christian is capable of doing read the epistles and see what he is told not to do. It say let him who stole steal no more, lie not to one another seeing ye have put off the old man." And he goes on but I can't remember the rest.

Sorry I thought it was Jesus speaking in the quoted scripture Thanks Jimmy for pointing out it was Paul.

It looks like you guys have a good idea of what's what. I agree with all that has been said so far.
I just had to add that I appreciate the respect of this thread so far. This group seems to understand when to offer respect. And it is nice to see people educated beyond our education system.

Thank you fellas.
I understand the context. Paul could not share the spiritual truths with them, being yet carnal they would not understand. In razor speak-you have just honed your first edge with N4/8 you might not yet be able to max out that big$ nakayama.

What he is describing with their quarrels and boasting etc is the ego-that constantly babbling mind we have that wants to analyze, label, compare, project, sin, etc. 1Cor is just a jumping off point that gives us a nice metaphor of the suckling babe.

so somewhere in the text must be the information, practice, knowledge, wisdom allowing us to act upon the command of Jesus to; "Go, and sin no more"
That's what I'm looking for, so yes ask anyone you feel might be able to make a list

I just emailed my Pastor friend the Question and I will get back to you when He emails me back. This is an interesting post and I'm glad to see this being discussed in a good hearted and well intending manner.

Originally Posted by kevint

That's what I'm looking for, so yes ask anyone you feel might be able to make a list

In a nutshell, Ephesians Chapter 2 verses 1 through 10, but it's meat, not milk.

If you look at the 10 commandments you will notice that they are divided into two categories, the first category concerns your relationship to God, the second concerns your relationship with your neighbor (mankind). Someone once asked Jesus which of the commandments were the most important and Jesus told him that if he "loved the Lord his God with all his heart and with all his soul and loved his neighbor as he loved himself" that he had fulfilled all of the commandments of Moses as well as those of the prophets." If you can do these two seemingly simple things you"will go and sin no more.".

This is a mere tidbit of what needs to be discussed but I believe it will open the door for more study as well as understanding. I also believe we would discover the truth of what Jesus meant when he said, "Indeed the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."

Thanks Kelly. That is direct and simple. I cannot quote exactly and unfortunately must be off for the day. There is a passage with a negative definition- telling us what love is not, as a way of telling what love is.

I might guess the answer is "by grace" but how does one get there. Sadly I do not know anyone who who always acts in Love. As I understand it True Love has no opposite.

Jimmy, what do those passages say to you? I am a little more interested in verse 14 or there abouts where it talks about two being made one.

bbl

Originally Posted by gandrw

Sorry I thought it was Jesus speaking in the quoted scripture Thanks Jimmy for pointing out it was Paul.

Any New Testament book that is not John. Luke, Mark or Matthew are not the words of Christ.

They are the words and opinions of Paul. Paul never met Jesus and was dead-set against James who did receive the word of Christ directly.



So personally, I only read the 4 books mentioned above.

Originally Posted by Desdinova

Any New Testament book that is not John. Luke, Mark or Matthew are not the words of Christ.

They are the words and opinions of Paul. Paul never met Jesus and was dead-set against James who did receive the word of Christ directly.



So personally, I only read the 4 books mentioned above.

Well Paul says that he did meet Jesus on the road to Damascus. If you believe the gospels you may as well believe the epistles. While it is true that the canon was chosen by men I would think that the Spirit had something to do with it whether they knew it or not.