Tag: 1 Corinthians

Godly offspring, Malachi, paedobaptism and large families

Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

One of the popular arguments for paedobaptism is based on 1 Corinthians 7:14 which says: “4 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. Recently I’ve seen people attempt to… Continue reading Godly offspring, Malachi, paedobaptism and large families

1 Corinthians 7 and strawmen (Andrew Bartlett’s response)

This is a guest post. As promised, here is the first of Andrew Bartlett’s responses to my critique and engagement with his book. I will respond in a further article to his comments here. I don’t intend there to be a lenthy back and forth on each topic but there are some things worth picking… Continue reading 1 Corinthians 7 and strawmen (Andrew Bartlett’s response)

Must there be divisions amongst us?

Following a recent debate, my attention was drawn to an intriguing interpretation of 1 Corinthians 11:18-19. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part,[e] 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may… Continue reading Must there be divisions amongst us?

The Gospel does not depend on our ropey apologetics

I was reading this article the other day which touches on how Paul appears to use a creedal form in 1 Corinthians 15:3-7 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and… Continue reading The Gospel does not depend on our ropey apologetics

A prophetic church (1 Corinthians 14)

Paul has argued that the proud, divided church in Corinth needs some crucial things to correct those problems.  They need love in all that they do and they need the gifts of the Spirit to be exercised by the whole body.  Here he focuses in on one specific gift, prophecy. Especially Prophecy (v1-5) Paul says… Continue reading A prophetic church (1 Corinthians 14)

A Diverse Church (1 Corinthians 12:12-30)

Remember that one of the big problems in Corinth was the rivalry and tribalism among believers.  They were in the habit of identifying themselves with particular leaders and seeing their tribe as better than everyone else. The same habit was at risk of infecting their attitude to gifts so that people would see their particular… Continue reading A Diverse Church (1 Corinthians 12:12-30)

A receiving church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

Having discerned that it is God’s Holy Spirit at work and not an evil Spirit, we can move to see what the Spirit is doing and saying.  One of the key things that the Holy Spirit does is to give gifts to the Church. Prioritise the giver (v4-6) We can become focused on the gifts… Continue reading A receiving church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

What kind of church? A fellowshipping Church 1 Corinthians 11: 17-34 

As someone involved in preaching and teaching, I often get feedback and in fact actively seek it.  How did I do?  Was the talk the right length?  Did I speak clearly but not too loudly?  Was there variation in tone and emotion? Was the application relevant? However, beyond occasionally being reminded that I sing out… Continue reading What kind of church? A fellowshipping Church 1 Corinthians 11: 17-34 

What kind of Church? A worshipping Church (1 Corinthians 11:1-16)

Why do we come together for worship?  What is a church gathering all about?  The key things can be summed up as: This will help us make sense of the next section of 1 Corinthians because this is where the focus is and these are things the Corinthians haven’t been too good at.  I’m aware… Continue reading What kind of Church? A worshipping Church (1 Corinthians 11:1-16)