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).
