A minister [ὑπηρέτης] from this context and application is a SERVANT
an underrower, subordinate rower
(Picture Paul and other prisoners later rowing a Roman ship toward Rome.)
any one who serves with hands: a servant
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
Problem #1 - Paul reiterated the report of divisions over Christian ministers.
NOW the Apostle will REBUKE the Corinthian church divisions over Christian ministers.
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...
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,
I can’t help but recalling the opening of John’s Gospel.
The logos of Christ's Cross FOOLISHNESS?
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.
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.
What think you, 21st century common era evangelical, of Paul's humbling rebuke?
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.
Paul will continue his rebuke of the wayward throughout his first epistle to the Corinthians up to Cor. 4:5.
REPENT! For why should I believe your preaching IF you will NOT preach truly from SCRIPTURE?
Last time in our Saturday Post series on Doctrine (of and for the Church) we examined some DISTINCTIONS of D. Martyn Lloyd Jones on the Christian Life from a Jason Meyer biography, DOCTRINE AND LIFE AS FUEL AND FIRE.
“Preaching is the primary business of the Church, and preaching should have two main objects in view: upbuilding the saints and evangelizing the lost. – M. Lloyd Jones
This Saturday we will not only continue with some of those distinctions, but I will introduce some Scriptures your Sunday gathering will never hear in YOUR church – the kinds of Scriptures you’d best not preach to a culturally-constructedchurch freed from bondage of a Holy Bible.
Our Two Main Headings (for today & our NEXT Saturday Post):
Preaching Church Doctrine to the Preacher AND
Preaching Biblical Doctrineto ourselves (the ‘church’)
“Failure is being successful at the things that don’t matter.”
.. There is a category of saved fool–of those who are saved by grace, but whose lives were not well spent.
Rico Tice, Faithful Leaders and The Things That Matter Most
DOCTRINE – What do you believe? Can you affirm it to others?
And I, brothers, was not able to speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to fleshly men, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, for you were not yet able to receive it..
10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it.
For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Pastor, you’d best not preach this to the fleshly infants gathered to your church.
14 If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
But I’m winning the world to JESUS.
“WE’RE NOT REFORMED! ” a pastor once added as an apologetic for his preaching?
‘So you’re NOT Protestant, then?’ I thought, as I wondered why this evangelist in the pulpit suddenly counterattacked the doctrine of the church in his own sermon.
‘NOT like Luther or Zwingli, NOT like Wycliffe or Wesley, NOT like Bunyan or Newton, NOT like Spurgeon of Edwards?
But of course, they suffered for their Christian faith and for the Doctrine of the Church. A 21st century church is built on a different foundation for a fiscally well-heeled audience.
Continuing in Lloyd-Jones' four key distinctions of the Doctrine of the Church:
The kingdom of God [*] is “wider and bigger than the Church”..
*[‘God‘ the Father, Son and Holy Spirit’]
because it is the “the rule and reign of God [*]” over everything.
The Doctor’s Doctrine, p.104 + [*] my trinitarian reminder – RH
Daniel 5:27 תְּקֵל תְּקִילְתָּה בְמֹֽאזַנְיָא וְהִשְׁתְּכַחַתְּ חַסִּֽיר׃
The writing NOT on your wall
The church is an expression of the kingdom “wherever the Lord Jesus Christ is acknowledged as Lord.”
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Great Doctrines of the Bible
ONLY CHRIST?
Do YOU, dear PASTOR of Christ’s church, preach and acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord?
“You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of Yahweh your God which I am commanding you.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 3, KJV + from the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Are YOU wise, dear proclaimer of God’s word in the pulpit of Christ’s Church?
ONLY SCRIPTURE?
Galatians 1: [Version of the King]
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
..for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:10b-12, King James Version [under the heading: Perversion of the Gospel + Let the Preacher beware.]
NO version of this rebuke from any Biblewill tickle the ears of my growing church–best NOT preach this.
Recall that in his first letter the Apostle called them 'fleshly men, as to infants in Christ.'
NOW Paul addresses them as 'saints' or 'holy ones.'
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even to live.
Pastor, if THIS is the ‘Christian‘ LIFE—you’d best not preach affliction, burden and despair of this life..
For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ.
2 but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation [visual evidence] of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus.
Christ Jesus as Lord, the Shepherds of Christ as bond-servants or slaves; metaph., one who gives himself up to another's will those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
I can’t preach that all must be judged by Christ–ALL judged by the clear evidence of our good deeds or bad. So best NOT preach THAT life with judgment by Christ. (I need much more GRACE than that for THIS life.)
Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel
Where is the one who is wise? Where is the teacher of the law?[scholar] Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish?
It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us — our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, in order that, as it is written: Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:20,30-31 Christian Standard Version [at one time written on the wall behind your preaching, a gospel for all to see that you ‘are not lying’ (to borrow from Paul)]
The writing NOT on your wall
“Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
Catechism – Teaching Church Doctrine summarized by Questions & Answers, formal teaching of Doctrines to members of a Church utilizing verbal recitation of questions and answers.
Creed – I believe this.. Confession of Faith – We (the church) believe this.. & Catechism – Our church teaches these Doctrines: 1.. 2.. 3.. etc.
Last week in our series on Doctrine I defined and shared a brief look at Creeds. We discovered that a Creed is simply a brief statement of what you(supposedly) believe. And while some churches ritually repeat these as part of worship, every church has an underlying defined set of beliefs preached to the masses and taught to the uninitiated.
Confession that Jesus is κύριος – Lord would have been a first Creed of the Way (Christians).
What does your church believe?
After glancing at a few Creeds and Confessions of faith do you now know more about what you believe and what your church believes and preaches?
New believers and children are far more likely to have heard the catechism of your church than a casual weekly ‘worshiper’ gathering for its music and preaching. YES, every church has a catechism (whether veiled, indoctrinated or responsibly taught to its members).
You likely have a few questions of your own (& please do not hesitate to share your question via a comment to this post).
Christian Catechism 100
Allow me to ask you just a few questions you might have heard and can answer from a catechism of your church.
Some will recognize that a 100 series in teaching addresses pre-requisite knowledge; therefore your answers may come more readily to these selective catechism questions than from a 'Catechism 803'theology course.
Note that your children may be taught more than these in their second or third year of 'Sunday School' or a Christian Academy you have chosen for them in lieu of a 'public' school indoctrinating ALL with world-class 'education.'
Do YOU know the answers to your children’s’ catechism questions?
What is the Trinity?
Who is the Holy Spirit?
What is the Law of God and what does it require?
What is sin?
What is idolatry?
What happens when we die?
Will all be saved to eternal life?
Who is Christ?
What is the resurrection?
How does Christ redeem me from sin?
Bonus Question: What makes the Bible Holy?
What do YOU believe?
Catechism? You get the idea from these sample questions above.
Catechism is teaching.
Even when he grows older he will not abandon it.
Preaching and Teaching
Christians hold to and teach a reasoned faith.
Through our study of the Holy Bible, Christians Creeds and Confessions of Faith we grow in our confidence in the Lord God and Jesus Christ, and by the Holy Spirit we continue in the confidence of our salvation God has predestined for those faithful followers of Christ Jesus.
But before we look at Catechisms, let’s briefly define preaching and teaching, comparing their distinct yet parallel roles in the lives of the Church.
Preaching
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim H7121 liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
To proclaim H7121 the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
from קָרָאqârâʼ, kaw-raw’; a primitive root (rather identical with H7122 through the idea of accosting a person (metaphor); to call out to
but we preachG2784 Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness,
Strong’s G2784 – κηρύσσωkērýssō, kay-roos’-so; of uncertain affinity; to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel):—preacher(-er), proclaim, publish. – 1 Corinthians 1:20 NASB20
Greek definition used of the public proclamation of the gospel and matters pertaining to it, made by John the Baptist, by Jesus, by the apostles and other Christian teachers
Teaching
Now note from this New Testament letter of Paul to Timothy (written in Greek) some particular similarities and differences between preachers and teachers. (We will not dig into the many doctrines covered in these few verses.)
.. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was granted to us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
for which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher.
κῆρυξ – a preacher – a herald, i.e. of divine truth (especially of the gospel):—preacher.
ἀπόστολος – an apostle – a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders
διδάσκαλος – a teacher – in the NT one who teaches concerning the things of God, and the duties of man
From διδάσκω (G1321) – .. to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, to impart instruction,
instill doctrine into one.. to explain or expound a thing, to teach one something
Catechism & Teaching Doctrine
The Creeds, Catechisms and Confessions are useful study tools to assist in understanding the Scriptures and in teaching Bible studies to others. These documents help to reaffirm the tenants of the traditional, historic Christian faith.
Why Catechisms MUST reflect Biblical Authority ABOVE all Church authority
The following article and resource originally ran on July 8, 2018. A few weeks later, Pope Francis announced a redaction of the 1992 Catechism of the Catholic Church..
Luther wrote his little catechism for parents to instruct their children in the faith just as he wrote his larger catechism as remedial instruction for pastors. Catechism in its Latin form means “book of instruction.”
From its Greek roots, catechism means literally “sounding down in the ears” or, more pointedly, “indoctrination” in the Christian faith.
For Martin Luther, basic catechesis (doctrinal instruction) in the Christian faith refers to teaching children (and their parents!) the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the biblical basis for Baptism, Eucharist, and Confession.
Although the complete Catechisms may be read on secure links, ONLY a few EXAMPLES of KEY DOCTRINAL TEACHING can be included in this brief post. - RH
128 questions & answers; later,129 questions and answers were divided into 52 “Lord’s Days” with a view to the Catechism’s being explained in one of the services on the Lord’s Day.
Here is the typical Q & A format with Scriptural references supporting the Authority of each answer:
Question 1. What is thy only comfort in life and death?
PAUSE: IF you yourself have never heard this or considered this life and death question,
NOW might be a good time to pray for an answer (prior to reading the Scripturally supported ANSWER below). - RH
Answer:
That I with body and soul, both in life and death,a am not my own,b but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ;c who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins,d and delivered me from all the power of the devil;e and so preserves mef that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head;g yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation,h and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life,i and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.j
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money.
They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful.
They will consider nothing sacred.
They will be unloving and unforgiving;
they will slander others and have no self-control.
They will be cruel and hate what is good.
They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.
They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.
Stay away from people like that!
Heidelberg Catechism of 1563: The Second Part – Of Man’s Deliverance
Trinity and the true faith of Scripture as expressed in Creeds caution the church (or the saints {small ‘s’} in these life and death matters. For these are matters concerning ETERNAL LIFE with the Lord or the God-given punishment of Hell and Death deserved by ALL.
Question 12: Answer: God will have his justice satisfied: and therefore we must make this full satisfaction, either by ourselves, or by another.
Question 16. Why must he be very man, and also perfectly righteous?
Question 17. Why must he in one person be also very God?
Here (among other doctrines) is where false teachers DENY TRINITY & refuse to teach the Very Truth of Scripture.
If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Gospel of John 10: Question of the Jews as Jesus was walking in the temple area, in the portico of Solomon.
Question 22. What is then necessary for a christian to believe?
Answer: All things promised us in the gospel,a which the articles of our catholic undoubted christian faith briefly teach us.
References: (a) Jhn 20:31; Mat 28:19; Mar 1:15
What follows as the answer to Question 23 is THE APOSTLES CREED.
I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:
TRINITY, from the beginning – Father, begotten Son and Holy Ghost [or Holy Spirit].
Question 25. Since there is but one only divine essence,(a) why speakest thou of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost?
Answer: Because God has so revealed himself in his word,(b) that these three distinct persons are the one only true and eternal God.
References:
(a) Deu 6:4; Eph 4:6; Isa 44:6; Isa 45:5; 1Co 8:4; 1Co 8:6
(b) Isa 61:1; Luk 4:18; Gen 1:2; Gen 1:3; Psa 33:6; Isa 48:16; Psa 110:1; Mat 3:16; Mat 3:17; Mat 28:19; 1Jo 5:7; Isa 6:1; Isa 6:3; Jhn 14:26; John 15:26; 2Co 13:13; Gal 4:6; Eph 2:18; Tts 3:5; Tts 3:6
Heidelberg Catechism of 1563: The Second Part – Of God the Son
Question 29. Why is the Son of God called “Jesus”, that is a Saviour?
Answer: Because he saveth us, and delivereth us from our sins;(a) and likewise, because we ought not to seek, neither can find salvation in any other.(b)
References: (a) Mat 1:21; Hbr 7:24-25 (b) Act 4:12; Jhn 15:4-5; 1Ti 2:5; Isa 43:11; 1Jo 5:11
Now the birth of Jesus the [From Gr Christos, which means Messiah (Heb for Anointed One)]Messiah was as follows: .. an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph.. that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. “She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He himself will save His people from their sins.”
The Gospel of Matthew excerpt from 1:18a,20b,d,v.21
This section of the Heidelberg Catechism of the 16th century asks students of true faith a question still relevant to you, to me and to every 21st century Christian:
(I'll paraphrase question 32 to update the translation from German into the King's English used in the KJV.)
[Time to PAUSE & think through your reasoned Christian faith before you answer the KEY QUESTION below.]
Do YOU, my 21st century brother (or sister) in Christ have an answer of your Christian witness?
Is the Doctrine (teaching or catechism) from which you learned your answer based on Holy Scripture?
As a Christian with a free and good conscience I may fight against sin and Satan in this life;
References: (f) 1Pe 2:11 Rom 6:12-13; Gal 5:16-17; Eph 6:11; 1Ti 1:18-19
and after this mortal life, Christ may choose me to reign with him eternally, over all creatures.
References: (g) 2Ti 2:12; Mat 24:34
*Complete Scripture will open in BlueLetterBible.org as you read each Question, Answer & Reference. I recommend it for your further prayer and study. RH
The statement is trustworthy: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we will deny Him, He will also deny us;
