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The First-Century Church
The Church in Corinth -- Worldly and Divided


Introduction:


        1.    The New Testament contains a tremendous amount of information that was written "about" as well
               as "to" various congregations in the first century.
        2.    This information is both positive and negative.
        3.    By examining this information we can learn the Lord's will for His church today.
        4.    This lesson is a study of the church in Corinth.
               a.     We read "about" the establishment of this congregation in Acts 18:1-11.
               b.     The apostle Paul wrote two letters "to" this congregation [1 and 2 Corinthians].
               c.     We are especially concerned with two negative characteristics that Paul addressed in
                       1 Corinthians -- "worldliness" and "division."

Discussion:

I.                   "WORLDLINESS"  AND  "DIVISION"  ARE  SERIOUS  ISSUES  IN  CHRISTIANITY


        A.   Many passages teach Christians to avoid "worldliness."
               1.    (Titus 2:11-12) God's grace teaches us to deny "ungodliness and worldly lusts."
               2.    (1 John 2:15-17) We are not to love "the world."
        B.   Many passages also teach Christians to avoid "division."
               1.    (John 17:11, 20-21) Jesus prayed that His followers will "be one."
               2.    (Ephesians 4:1-3) We are to endeavor "to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

II.                PAUL  ESTABLISHED  THE  CHURCH  IN  CORINTH  (Acts 18:1-11)


        A.   He preached the Gospel in Corinth (vs.1-7).
        B.   Many people in Corinth became Christians (vs.8).
        C.   Paul continued teaching God's Word in Corinth for a year and six months (vs.9-11).

III.             PAUL'S  FIRST  LETTER  TO  THE  CHURCH  IN  CORINTH  INDICATES  THAT  IT  WAS
                 AFFECTED  BY  "WORLDLINESS"


        A.   An immoral man was in this congregation (5:1-2, 9-13).
        B.   Issues between members were taken to court (6:1, 5-6).
        C.   Eating meat offered to idols was causing some members to stumble (8:4, 7, 13).
        D.   Some members denied the resurrection (15:12, 32, 33).

IV.            PAUL'S  FIRST  LETTER  TO  THE  CHURCH  IN  CORINTH  INDICATES  THAT  IT  WAS
                AFFECTED  BY  "DIVISION"


        A.   The members were divided into factions (1:10-12; 3:1-4; 4:6).
        B.   Division existed during the Lord's Supper (11:17-21, 26-30).
        C.   The members were divided over their spiritual gifts (12:7-11, 18, 25; 14:12, 26, 33, 40).

V.               PAUL'S  SECOND  LETTER  TO  THE  CHURCH  IN  CORINTH  INDICATES  THAT  THE
                  MEMBERS  REPENTED


        A.   The fornicator was disciplined and restored (2:6-8).
        B.   Paul commended their repentance (7:5-11).
Webmaster Gary L. Wade