Paul worked with congregations like Philippi and congregations like Corinth, some he could work with easily and draw as much encouragement from as he could offer. Others had serious difficulties, both between members of the congregation and scripturally. More often than not, we may find ourselves relating more to Corinth than to Philippi, and, in I Corinthians 12:14, Paul speaks to the need for members to edify, exhort, and comfort each other. Even though he is speaking specifically to members who prophesied at the time, we can all learn from these instructions in how we interact with one another. Our treatment of one another directly influences our spiritual health and how God perceives us.

Prioritizing Edification

I Corinthians 12:26, Paul concludes that all things done within a congregation should be done for the purpose of edifying the entire group. This should be one of our primary goals as a group of brothers and sisters in Christ. Am I looking to merely edify myself when we gather, or do I remember to prioritize my brothers and sisters?

In Romans 14:19, Romans 15:2, and Ephesians 4:29 – all these speak to edifying one another, in our actions and in our speech. Our conversation with one another, even in private, should avoid tearing ourselves down. We should not use our time together to create divisions or to push personal agendas. This includes speaking about one another, and this falls into the corrupt speech of Ephesians 4:29.

Emphasizing One Another

In I Corinthians 3:1-3, Paul chastises those in Corinth for their immaturity, for acting worldly when they should be spiritual. Selfish behavior does not build us up spiritually, but we may not always recognize when we are behaving carnally because we define ourselves by our doctrine – sometimes separate from our behaviors.

Our devotion to God and our devotion to one another are both necessary to our spiritual maturity. In John 4:24, Jesus emphasizes the necessity for truly spiritual worship in coming to God. This is in worship that is devoid of worldliness – both in the formal worship setting and in our lives. Both I Peter 2:5 and Hebrews 13:15-16 speak to the quality of our spiritual sacrifices to Him, and Hebrews 6:9-10 tells of the love we show to God when we demonstrate love toward one another. THere is a direct connection between our relationships with one another and our relationship with God.

Corinth is a congregation on the brink of dissolving, and Paul encourages unity among them, emphasizing the role of love in creating unity. Self-justification and arguments lead to a fractured environment, and Paul’s great chapter on love comes right after a chapter discussing the unity we should have in the church. If we are to be spiritual and united, we must love one another.

Conclusion

This edifying love for one another is not always easy. Ephesians 4:1-6 calls us to walk in a manner worthy of our calling. In this, humility, meekness, and patience play a role in leading to unity. Colossians 3:12-14 also encourages to wear compassion, patience, forgiveness, and love – the perfect bond of unity. In Philippians 2:1-5, Paul encourages us to be intent on loving unity, building one another up in this goal, and John 13:24 records Jesus telling His disciples to demonstrate love for each other that mirrors the love He demonstrates for them. Finally, Psalm 133 speaks to the beauty of unity among God’s followers.

We can strengthen and edify each other to spiritual maturity, but we must love one another to do so. Our love for one another reflects the love we hold for God, and we cannot hate a brother or sister while claiming to love God. As a congregation, we will have problems and disagreements, but we can emerge from difficulties stronger and more unified if we prioritize our love for each other in dealing with issues.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: attitude, love, unity, one another

Introduction
In a recent lesson, we looked at how we deal with a lack of satisfaction in our spiritual lives and how we can break that pattern and set a new direction. Another way of putting this is, “How do I start again?” We’re going to look at this as a congregation in this lesson. In being a local church, how can we return to square one?

Returning to Our Pattern
In Isaiah 2:2, the prophet speaks of the House of Jehovah towards which many nations will flow, an eternal kingdom built on peace and spirituality. This is how God’s church is to be typified, and, in Acts 2 we have the establishment of the church recorded. We see people in Jerusalem who are excited about God’s word and steadfastly continuing in His worship. This church can be considered our template.

The church at Jerusalem had some very distinguishing characteristics. We have zero to three thousand in one chapter. Imagine the strains this could create just in terms of facilitating these numbers. There were language differences in these numbers, and this could create additional barriers between the members. Coupled with the languages would have been cultural differences. Yet, in all of this, Acts 4:32 records that these many individuals were of one heart and soul. They were a pattern of unity.

A Pattern of Unity

• They had the same purpose. In Acts 2:42-46 (a passage we will return to often), we see them “in one accord.” They had the same heart, the same mind, and the same purpose – Christ and His return. In Acts 3:19-21, Peter speaks of this hope to people gathered as the result of him healing a man.
  
  
• They Prayed Together. In Acts 1:14, we read that the disciples continued in prayer together. Chapters 2:42, 4:24, and 12:12 all contain examples of Christians praying together.
  
  
• They Were of the Same Doctrine. John 14:26 records Jesus promising the Spirit to make sure the apostles know what to teach. Acts 4:12-20 is an example of how the disciples remain faithful to Christ’s word. They did not go beyond, and they did not omit anything.
  
  
• They Worshiped Together. Acts 2:42 and Acts 20:7 record the communing of Christians in worship. Worship is the best form of encouragement, and they made sure they participated together in honoring their God.
  
  
• They Spent TIme Together. Acts 2:44-46, Acts 5:42 record Christians spending time in each others homes, discussing spiritual matters, encouraging each other. They could have been separated in so many ways, but they chose to associate with each other.
  
  
• They Were Concerned for One Another. Acts 2:44-45 records Christians sharing possessions with each other, distributing wealth as needed. Acts 4:32 makes it clear that they were not self-centered in terms of material possessions.
  
  

Conclusion

This congregation was successful despite the obstacles around them. They remained enthusiastic and steadfast for God. They prayed for boldness in facing the trials before them. They were generous, and they shared with each other liberally. They immediately took care of internal problems and discipline issues. They demonstrated endurance in their commitment (Acts 8:4), and they continued to endure even when the problems came from internal struggles (Acts 6), addressing the situation with consideration and compassion.

We sing the song “Blest Be the Tie.” Do we consider that tie binding us together as our relationship with God. Our hearts are joined in Christian love. Do we take this relationship seriously, or do we take it for granted as casual acquaintances? We should be trying to emulate the unity and closeness shared by the Jerusalem church. If we do not have this, there are changes we need to make so we can be the church that God wants us to be.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: examples, church, unity, one another, doctrine, worship, priorities

We are going to be concluding our study on Corinth in the context of love and unity with this lesson. We have examined a congregation that has demonstrated selfishness and arrogance in the attitudes of many of its members; we have examined the topic of love and how Christian love affect our behavior to others; and we have looked at the topic of spiritual gifts and their conclusion with the completion of New Testament revelation.

I Corinthians 14:37 - We are going to make application of these chapters in our efforts to be stronger in our spirituality. This lesson is how all of this directs each one of us.

Questions We Should Ask Ourselves in Our Congregation

Do We Possess Arrogance? Right away, we would want to say “no” to such a question, but what do our actions say. Are we like James 2:1-4 in showing favoritism or partiality toward certain members while disregarding others? Do we practice that attitude with those we are willing to study with, making judgments based on solely external evidence? Remember I Corinthians 4:8-10: Paul points out the arrogance in the attitudes of some at Corinth – they have it figured out. What else would they need.

If our attitude demonstrates these qualities, God is just as displeased with us as with those Christians we have been studying.

Is Edification Our Primary Goal? You will find “edify,” its variations, and synonyms mentioned several times in I Corinthians 12-14. Preachers and Bible class teachers need to lead the flock in understanding the scriptures, and they need to present material in such a way that they can be understood. Romans 14:19 - We are to follow after those things that produce peace and edification. (See also Romans 15:2, Ephesians 4:29.)

To exhort or to edify means to encourage or to build up. Urging each other forward should be a primary goal of our gathering together. In I Corinthians 14, Paul encourages those Christians to direct their worship in such a way that everyone is edified – not just those who are leading the worship. We tend to define edification based on what “I” like, but it is the group that is the focus. We are to be an encouragement to each other at all times.

Have We Missed the Point on What Constitutes Spirituality? We become comfortable with defining spirituality with safe terms we are used to. I am baptized; therefore I am spiritual. I attend church; therefore I am spiritual. I take the Lord’s Supper; therefore I am spiritual. Yes, these are all things we should be doing, but these actions do nat make us spiritual. Rather, doing those things that are right is a result of having a spiritual mind (Hebrews 13:16).

I Corinthians 10:1-5 - God was displeased with those who followed Him as a result of their conduct. Furthermore, Hebrews 6:1-6 speaks of individuals who enter into a relationship with God but fall away. They did the right things initially, but they fell into disobedience, and God disowned them. External appearances do not make a spiritual person.

How Can We Be Spiritual? Devotion to God and to one another is a mark of spirituality. See John 4:24 in the context of what the woman at the well was asking. Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Deuteronomy 5:32-33 - whether in the Old Testament or in the New, carnality should be eliminated, and we should think spiritually. (Remember Paul’s admonition in I Corinthians 3 about carnal minds?) I Peter 2:5 again emphasizes spirituality in our worship, and if I am part of God’s holy priesthood, I am devoted to God on a daily basis. (See also Hebrews 13:15-16 and Hebrews 6:9-10.) Turning back to I Corinthians 13:1-3, without the proper attitude of love, our good works do not amount to anything.

Do We Appreciate the Connection Between Love & Unity? Paul describes love as a more excellent way to gain spirituality, and it is described as the key to church harmony and unity. We use Ephesians 4:1-4 to talk about doctrinal unity, and this is a good point out of these verses. However, look at the role patience and love plays in this unity. Colossians 3:12-14 reminds us that love is the perfect bond of unity. (See also Philippians 2:3-4.)

If we do not work on this relationship of love between our brothers and sisters, we will not have unity. Psalm 133 talks about the beauty of spiritual unity, and David illustrates this beauty in two ways, both depicting blessings from God, and we hope for blessings from God when we dwell in unity with one another.

Conclusion

If we are to be a loving, spiritual, unified congregation, we have to start with ourselves. We each need to become more humble; we need to work on edifying one another; we each need to examine our spirituality; and we need to appreciate and apply the relationship between love and unity. If there was hope for the Christians at Corinth to grow into a spiritual and unified congregation, we all have hope.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: corinth series, one another, love, unity

We are products of the society we live in. What we are entertained by, what we wear, what we eat – these are all aspects that are influenced by society. This fact influences the Christians in Corinth, and that society shapes the church written to by Paul.

The City of Corinth

Corinth was a sea port and center of trade. Many classes and nationalities mingled there with great wealth and poverty existing side by side.
Class envy was very apparent, complete with the crime and the tensions that are a part of this atmosphere. Amidst this, there was a fascination with wisdom and knowledge in the form of philosophy, and this led to an attitude of intellectual superiority. Eloquence was equated with wisdom – the art of rhetoric was highly valued.

This society was also fascinated with speaking in ecstatic tongues. Many of these “tongues” were gibberish (and this tradition has found its way into modern Christian tradition), and these tongues were considered to be prophetic and a gift from the gods. This fascination is carried over into the Corinth church.

Many of the church’s troubles in Corinth come from societal influence: social class differences and image consciousness (I Corinthians 7:18-23); selfishness, inflexibility, and a lack of forgiveness (I Corinthians 6:1-6, I Corinthians 8:8-12, I Corinthians 11:20-21); arrogance and elitism (I Corinthians 4:6 and many other verses in this book).

The Problem

The Corinth church thought they were spiritually minded because of their emphasis on wisdom and the spiritual gifts many had, but Paul asks “Don’t you know...?” ten times (I Corinthians 5:6, 6:2, etc.) He also speaks to those who “think they know” and who “think they are spiritual.” However, in chapter 3, Paul tells them they are truly carnal and not spiritual at all. Can this be said of us? Do we think we are spiritual when we are really carnal?

In I Corinthians 12:29-30, Paul asks if all members can claim all spiritual gifts. Do gifts denote spiritual completeness (I Corinthians 4:8-10) as these Christians seemed to believe? This is the danger – overestimating our spirituality – and this led to some deep troubles in the congregation.

• Chapter 6:12-20 - Paul begins a point/counterpoint between the Corinthians’ letter to Paul and his response to those attitudes.
• Chapter 8:4 - Paul deals with insensitivity toward conscience as a result of their own perceived wisdom.

These problems led to division in the congregation, and it would probably not be long before the church in Corinth just tore itself apart.

The tongues spoken of in the book of I Corinthians were really world languages, and these were languages that did not have to be learned – they were known by the power of God. In I Corinthians 12:4-6, Paul makes it clear that all gifts are equal. He continues this illustration by using the human body as example. One member cannot deny the usefulness of another.

Through chapter 12, Paul emphasizes oneness and sameness in the church (verses 4, 6, 11, 12, 13, & 14 among others) to avoid division within the body. It is a call to unity and cooperation, and their spiritual superiority blinded many of them to the problems they were creating within their own congregation. The body has to function in unity in order to function properly.

Paul concludes this chapter by describing a “more excellent way,” and that is where we will pick up our next lesson.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: corinth series, unity

In Acts 2:41, the Jerusalem congregation began with about 3,000 members. It was a daunting undertaking, but they allowed the Lord to direct them. That direction led to further growth (Acts 2:47). Furthermore, several nationalities were represented in this group (Acts 2:9-11). This, of course, meant their were several cultural and social diversities along with linguistic differences. Despite this, Acts 4:32 says they were of “one heart” and of “one soul.”

Six Contributors to Unity

If we are to be this New Testament church, we are to be unified. To gain this same unity, we should emulate these qualities to be the church God wants us to be.

They spent time together. In Acts 2:42-46 and Acts 5:42, the disciples were gathering together. These gatherings were not exclusively religious or social. This seemed to be a combination of the two in some cases. However, spending time together can be inconvenient, and it takes effort to make that time to fellowship with other Christians. It can also be difficult to spend time with certain people because it may take more effort to overcome differences with each other, but, if we do invest that time, we can become close to one another.

They were united in purpose. The Christians in Acts 2 were praising God, and this is the result of their purpose. Acts 3:19-21 reminds us that our end goal is looking forward to Christ’s return. Our world is not perfect, but the world to come is. These New Testament Christians were focused on Christ, and, if we can keep that same focus, many of this world’s cares and problems seem a little less important.

They prayed together. In Acts 1:14, the disciples continued in prayer and thanksgiving. Prayer is a reoccurring theme throughout the book of Acts. In Acts 4:23-24, the disciples pray when they come under persecution, and they prayed together for the strength to endure. In Acts 12:12, when Peter had escaped from prison, he found other Christians praying together when he came to Mary’s house, even at a late hour of the night.

They were united in the same doctrine. In Acts 2:42, the Christians continue in the “apostles’ doctrine,” and in John 14, the apostles are told that they would be told what to say by the Holy Spirit. This was not a promotion of self – the doctrine is Christ.

They worshipped together. Again, there is encouragement in unified actions. The acts of worship and the songs of the Old Testament were factors and contributors of unity. Acts 20:7 & Acts 2:42 focus on the coming together to worship God and participate in Christ’s memorial.

They had the same concern for one another. Still in Acts 2:43-44, it is said that they had “all things in common.” This does not mean they had all of the same qualities. It meant that what is mine is yours, and I need to be concerned for your needs and ready to help out. This is reinforced in Acts 4:34-35.

Conclusion: A Successful Congregation

All of these qualities led to the strength of the Jerusalem church, and these qualities work hand-in-hand with each other. This congregation was successful because they were enthusiastic and generous toward each other and toward the Lord. They were a disciplined church, and discipline is the result of concern for each other and for the sanctity of God’s word. Furthermore, their unity helped them develop endurance, weathering problems from outside the church and from within the church.

Our relationships with one another and with the Lord can bring about a unified congregation, but the final product takes time and effort to achieve.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: unity, prayer, one another, doctrine