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Tag: Luke

ANNOUNCEMENT of the Testimony of GOD
And when I came to you, brethren, came not in excellency of word, or wisdom, announcing to you the testimony of God.
1 Corinthians 2:1 DBY

Further rebuke of CHRISTIAN MINISTERS

The Apostle Paul begins NOT with a reminder of his considerable credentials but with an apologia for God’s evidence in Christ crucified and risen.

1 Corinthians 2:

I did not come with superiority of word or of wisdom [sophia]..
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Superiority, (elevation, pre-eminence, excellence in) Wisdom would have been what many Hellenists in Corinth might have expected in Paul.
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Note that the Apostle’s approach of rebuke of his Corinthian ‘brothers’ in the faith relies ONLY on the Authority of Almighty God. NOT speech (logos), NOT of wisdom [sophia], but an ANNOUNCEMENT and PROCLAIMATION.

proclaiming to you the witness of God.

καταγγέλλω – katangellō –

to announce, declare, promulgate, make known, to proclaim publicly, publish
Strong’s G2605 – katangellō – BlueLetterBible.org

AND shortly Paul will ask these Corinthian believers:

For who among men knows the depths of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him?
1 Corinthians 2:11a LSB

Even so the depths of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.

testimony – μαρτύριον – martyrion

The APOSTLE of the RISEN CHRIST JESUS is providing ‘something evidential, i.e. (genitive case) evidence given or (specially), the Decalogue (in the sacred Tabernacle):—to be testified, testimony, witness.

Paul has already written his thanks to God for the Corinthians, ‘even as the witness^G3142 about Christ was confirmed in you – 1 Cor 1:6

DO YOU FEAR GOD?
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Here is my testimony as Christ's apostle to you, my Corinthian brothers and sisters in the Lord:
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Jesus Christ, and Him crucified

And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my word and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power..

Listen to some of the descriptions Paul uses here for their condition:
- WEAKNESS of the body: its native weakness and frailty, feebleness of health or sickness
- of the soul: want of strength and capacity requisite
  - to understand a thing
  - to do things great and glorious
  - to restrain corrupt desires
  - to bear trials and troubles
- φόβος – phobos – FEAR, dread, terror
- MUCH TREMBLING
  - quaking with fear
  - with fear and trembling, used to describe the anxiety of one who distrusts his ability completely to meet all requirements,
    
    but religiously does his utmost to fulfil his duty
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Does this description of the Apostle Paul (who rebukes these Corinthians) resemble the pastoral approach of the ministers of YOUR church in any way?
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for ministers mature in Christ

Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten.
1 Corinthians 2:6 NLT – Paul’s ‘word to the wise,’ mature ministers of God’s word

Jesus taught followers to be mature

“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

“And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

“Therefore you are to be perfect^G5046, as your heavenly Father is perfect^G5046.
Gospel of Matthew 5:38 LSB

Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete G5046, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
Matthew 19:21 LSB

PAUL writes to the Corinthians who are MATURE ministers of the Lord to “be PERFECT,” become COMPLETE in your TESTIMONY of GOD.

the Mystery of God’s Wisdom

No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, (we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery ) which He destined for our glory before time began.

8 None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 Rather, as it is written:

“No eye has seen,

no ear has heard,

no heart has imagined,

what God has prepared for those who love Him.”
Isaiah 64:4

But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
1 Corinthians 2:10 Berean Study Bible

How are mature ministers of God different?
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The relationship of God and Man can become a Spirit to spirit love in Christ our Lord.
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14 The natural [psychikos] person does not accept the things of the Spirit [pneuma ] of God, for they are folly [foolishness] to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. – ESV

We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
1 Corinthians 2:12-13 BSB

Natural human? OR Spiritual minister?
- a natural man [anthrōpos] does not accept the depths of the Spirit of God
- 15 The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment.
The Apostle again returns to the Prophet Isaiah:

16“For who has known the mind of the Lord [LORD or kyrios – ],

he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord

so as to instruct Him?”
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The APOSTLE here rebukes ministers of the church to be complete or mature in the Lord Jesus Christ:
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But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:16b BSB
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Paul will later mention Peter's testimony (1 Cor 15).
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Christ Crucified AND Risen!

Then He opened their minds G3563 to understand the Scriptures…
Gospel of Luke 24:45 LSB

Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God..

11 He tends His flock like a shepherd;

He gathers the lambs in His arms

and carries them close to His heart.

He gently leads the nursing ewes.

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,

or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand?

Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,

or weighed the mountains on a scale

and the hills with a balance?

Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD *,

or informed Him as His counselor?
Isaiah 40:13 BSB
*Or mind of the LORD in the Septuagint (LXX)

NEXT: Meat for Ministers
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and Milk for New Babes
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and we — we have the mind of Christ. And I, brethren, was not able to speak to you as to spiritual, but as to fleshly — as to babes in Christ..

1 Corinthians 2:16b-3:1 – Young’s Literal Translation

Talk of JESUS .com

Comment on Scripture + Share the Gospel
June 27, 2024
Rebuke of ministers that perish without the Cross
For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
1 Corinthians 1:11 KJV
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Contentions (from the KJV) 

Sounds rather serious doesn't it?
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1 Corinthians 1 – Contentions between Christians

In our previous look at Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians we looked at the REPORT from Chloe’s household and the Apostle’s brief summary.

NO Divisions in our Church ?

ἔρις – ἔρις, er’-is; of uncertain affinity; a quarrel, i.e. (by implication) wrangling:—contention, debate, strife, variance.

What will Paul do about such serious contentions over ministers and teaching in distant Corinth?

Before we proceed with Paul’s Apostolic approach, let’s briefly clarify terms of WHO ARE WE talking about.

ὑπηρέτης – hypēretēs – Ministers of Christ

Who is Paul addressing?

Certain Corinthian church members must have wondered, “Is HE writing to ME?”
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Later in his Epistle the Apostle appeals:
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Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers^G5257 of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
1 Corinthians 4:1 KJV

SOME of us resist the role to which God calls us in Christ.
Roger@TalkofJesus.com

A minister [ὑπηρέτης] from this context and application is a SERVANT
1. an underrower, subordinate rower
  - (Picture Paul and other prisoners later rowing a Roman ship toward Rome.)
2. any one who serves with hands: a servant
3. any one who aids another in any work
  - an assistant
  - of the preacher of the gospel
I might add that certain servants had the authority of Roman governors or military leaders to judge men under their jurisdiction and prescribe punishments.

The wisdom of the cross and Christian ministers – Rebuke
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Problem #1 - Paul reiterated the report of divisions over Christian ministers.

NOW the Apostle will REBUKE the Corinthian church divisions over Christian ministers.
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ἐπιτιμάω – Rebuke

LORD, do not rebuke me in Your wrath,

And do not punish me in Your burning anger.
Psalm 38:1 NASB20

Better is open rebuke

Than love that is concealed.
Proverbs 27:5 NASB20

Jesus said to his disciples, “Stumbling blocks are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!

Watch yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him.
Gospel of Luke 17:1,3 NET
Ruins of the synagogue in Corinth

Christ the Power and Wisdom of God
Paul’s Rebuke of the Church

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness; but to us who are saved, it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18 – Noah Webster’s 1833 Bible.

PREACHING
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The above 19th century English translation by Noah Webster of a 17th century King James Version, which also begins verse 1:18, "For the preaching of the cross...
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19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

WISDOM is a BIG THING to Greek thinking.

Pastor, Preacher or Minister?

Many prefer to think of ‘Preachers’ as ‘Pastors.’

A popular 20th century title for both was ‘MINISTER.‘

In fact, some English Bibles begin 1 Corinthians 1:18,

For the message of the cross..

OR more true to Paul’s A.D first century Greek,

For the word of the cross…

1:18 Ὁ λόγος γὰρ ὁ τοῦ σταυροῦ τοῖς μὲν ἀπολλυμένοις μωρία ἐστίν τοῖς δὲ σῳζομένοις ἡμῖν δύναμις θεοῦ ἐστιν
λόγος logos https://www.blueletterbible.org/web/1co/1/1/t_conc_1063018

I can’t help but recalling the opening of John’s Gospel.
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The logos of Christ's Cross FOOLISHNESS? 
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The Apostle continues rhetorically asking WHO among you seeks some other WISDOM than Christ?
- Where is the wise?
- where is the scribe?
- where is the disputer of this world?
hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

Paul’s answer:

For when in the wisdom [sophia] of God [theos] the world [kosmos] by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
1 Corinthians 1:21 WEB

Signs and Sophia

Just as Paul’s WISDOM passages point to the Hellenists [GREEK-thinking] of the Empire, the Apostle’s earlier reference to the Scribes points specifically to the JEWS.

“This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of Jonah the prophet. For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also shall the Son of man be to this generation.
Gospel of Luke 29:11b-12

Paul points to BOTH, in that some JEWS and some GREEKS in the Corinthian church DO NOT believe.

For the Jews require a sign,

and the Greeks seek wisdom:

But to them who are called,
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Not ALL are called who gather in the Corinthian Church (or in yours).
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both Jews and Greeks,

Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

That no flesh should glory in his presence.
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The Apostle Paul's REBUKE of Christian MINISTERS begins here. 
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Glory Only in the Lord

1 Corinthians 1:26- NKJV

For [consider] your calling, brethren, that
- not many wise according to the flesh,
- not many mighty,
- not many [well-born] noble,
are called.
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What think you, 21st century common era evangelical, of Paul's humbling rebuke?
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27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the [insignificant or lowly] base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen,

and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.

30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”

NEXT: Further rebuke of CHRISTIAN MINISTERS.
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Paul will continue his rebuke of the wayward throughout his first epistle to the Corinthians up to Cor. 4:5.
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Headings from the NKJV
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- Christ Crucified
- Spiritual Wisdom
- Sectarianism Is Carnal
- Watering, Working, Warning
- Avoid Worldly Wisdom
- Stewards of the Mysteries of God
Comment on Scripture + Share the Gospel
June 19, 2024
Prophesying the unseen future
Prophets predicted the Messiah of God, Christ Jesus

Acts of the Apostles 21:
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Dr. Luke continues his account of their return to Jerusalem and Paul's stay with Philip the Evangelist in Caesarea.
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Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.

And as we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.

And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says:

Now some of you are NOT going to believe this

STOP
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BEFORE we hear 'what the Holy Spirit says' to the Apostle Paul through Agabus, LET'S take a quick look ahead at PROPHESY, Prophets and Prophetesses and SEE if YOU even believe in such predictions. 
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προφητεύω – Strong’s G4395 – Prophesy

to prophesy, to be a prophet, speak forth by divine inspirations, to predict

Luke has already used this same word describing a scene back in Ephesus.

And when they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying.

Now there were in all about twelve men.
Acts of the Apostles 19:5-7 LSB

Here Luke reveals that Philip, one of the seven deacons who had received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and was later sent out with the Apostles’ teaching, had four daughters known as prophetesses.

In fact, prophesy is not so much given as positive prediction but more frequently as WARNING of some unseen future event.

And when He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?”

And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Gospel of Matthew 21:10-11 LSB

The Greek New Testament word used here for prophet is prophētēs.
- in Greek writings, an interpreter of oracles or of other hidden things
- one who, moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation
προφήτης – Strong’s G4396 – prophētēs

JESUS had been received as a PROPHET and King by the Jews. It was Christ as Priest and SACRIFICE for our sins they rejected.
Roger@Talkofjesus.com

ARE PROPHETS TRUE? CAN THEIR PROPHESY PREDICT?

Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking Him while they beat Him, and they blindfolded Him and were asking Him, saying,

“Prophesy, who is the one who hit You?”

And they were saying many other things against Him, blaspheming.
Gospel of Luke 22:63-65 LSB – Prophesy g4395 prophēteuō

“Prophesy G4395 to us, O Christ; who is the one who hit You?”
Gospel of Matthew 26:68

And some began to spit at Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, “Prophesy G4395!” And the officers received Him with slaps in the face.
Gospel of Mark 14:65 LSB
- Jesus the King is opposed by the Herod’s.
- Jesus the Prophet is opposed by those adorned in false robes of righteousness.
- And Jesus the Priest is opposed by the false intercessors claiming coins of indulgence before altars of idolatry.
And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy G4395 of you hypocrites, as it is written:

‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS,

BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME.
Gospel of Mark 7:6 LSB

THE APOSTLE PAUL PREACHES CHRIST CRUCIFIED AND RISEN!

‘..Bind the man who owns this belt..’

Once again, true prophesy through the Holy Spirit provides a vision of further suffering awaiting the Apostle who had been blind even as Philip had received the Holy Spirit years before.

a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea

“The Holy Spirit says,
‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”
Act of the Apostles 21:11b – NIV
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Luke, who of course is traveling with Paul by now records an account of his own reaction:
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When we heard this, we and the local believers all begged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.

But he said, “Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart!

I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.”
Acts 21:12-13 NLT

hyper ho onoma ho kyrios iēsous
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The King James Version is even a bit more pointed in its rendering from the Greek:
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for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 21:13b King James Version

YES, these early apostles and many disciples of Christ Jesus proclaimed their faith in ‘the Name of the Lord Jesus – kyrios iēsous.

This beloved apostle to the Gentiles, as one drawn later to his faith had asked the risen Christ on a road to Damascus,

“Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: [Acts 9:5 excerpt KJV}

As all disciples traveling with Paul knew, he had once sought the deaths of many brothers and had been present at the execution of Philip’s fellow deacon and friend, Stephen.

And they stoned Stephen,

calling upon God, and saying,

Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

Acts 7:59 KJV

NOW their beloved apostle to the gentiles pleads with them that he too may accept Stephen’s fate ‘in the name of the Lord Jesus.’

14 When he would not be dissuaded,

we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

After this, we started on our way up to Jerusalem.

Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus and one of the early disciples.

And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
Acts of the Apostles 21:17 KJV

A.D. 52-57

Acts of the Apostles – To Be Continued… – in Jerusalem
April 22, 2024