First Corinthians 4 Part 7 Remember The Apostolic Doctrine & The Way Of God

 

Paul spent almost two years at Corinth and then was led by the Spirit of God to other places to preach the gospel (See Acts 18).

Aquila and Priscilla discipled Apollos before he went to Corinth.

Acts 18:24-26  And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25)  This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26)  And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. 

He made several close friends who were new converts to Christ at Corinth. He also had other close friends like Aquila and Priscilla who spent time at Corinth. 

Luke's record from the book of Acts tells us that Aquila and Priscilla remained at Ephesus after Paul departed. 

They encountered a young man named Apollos who was a very good speaker and had a solid working knowledge of the scriptures.

Apollos was instructed in the way of the Lord but he only knew of the baptism of repentance preached by John.

This dear Christian couple took Aquila under their wings and taught him about the life, ministry, suffering, death, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Why is this important? Because they helped Apollos gain the proper foundation to fully preach Christ and the cross. 

Apollos eventually traveled to Corinth to preach the gospel of Christ. This is how the Corinthian Christians knew Apollos.

Many thought he was superior to Paul because his preaching was well grounded in truth and very powerful. 

Typically, friends of Paul in many different cities kept the apostolic doctrine and sought to encourage others to do the same.  

Often, these same men would write to Paul if they observed any sin issues or spiritual problems. 

The Holy Spirit would guide the apostle to write back to the church to correct, exhort and encourage them.

It helps to remember that Paul is not present with the Corinthians but that he is aware of their spiritual condition.

Thus, he writes to the churches truth from God that they need to get back on track.

Paul sent his epistle to the Corinthians via Timothy.

1 Corinthians 4:17  For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

One of Paul's methods was to send a trusted co-worker in gospel ministry to check on a church. 

In this example, the apostle sent Timothy to them because he had ministered with Paul in Corinth. 

Timothy would deliver Paul's epistle and speak truth to the Corinthians, hoping to help them make progress in addressing their spiritual issues. 

In addition, Timothy would return to Paul with a firsthand report of the church's spiritual condition.

Paul reminds the Corinthians that Timothy was born again under his ministry and that he is just like a beloved son of the apostle.

The apostle did this to ensure that Timothy received the proper respect as a co-laborer in gospel ministry with Paul. 

Paul also sent Timothy to the church at Philippi and at Thessalonica (See Philippians 2:19; 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3).

Timothy was going to bring the Corinthians to "remembrance of my ways which be in Christ."

Timothy would inform them of the manner and pattern of how the Spirit of God directed His apostles to regulate all the Churches. 

Timothy would demonstrate to the Corinthians that what is required of them is just the same standard as each church is expected to meet.  

Timothy would remind them of Paul's God honoring life pattern and conduct. 

He would help them remember that Paul followed hard after Christ at all times, and is an example for all Christians seeking to live for God's glory.

Passing on God's truth and sound doctrine to the next generation.

2 Timothy 2:1-2  Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2)  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 

Paul detailed how discipleship should function in each church. 

The Divinely appointed pattern is for Timothy to find men who are faithful followers of Jesus Christ, and to commit the apostolic truth to them. 

The word "commit" means to spread a banquet table with all of the wonderful truths and doctrines of scripture. 

This connects with the Psalmist's exhortation to taste and see that the LORD is good, and that our greatest blessing is found when we trust Him (See Psalm 34:8).

The truth of Jesus Christ, the power of the gospel and the standard of sound doctrine must be passed on to each succeeding generation of Christians. 

Passing on the need to study the scriptures to the next generation.

2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

The command to each Christian to study the scriptures is not meant to burden us with homework. 

Studying the Bible is God's design so that His Spirit can lead and guide us. 

His indwelling Spirit will grant us understanding and light will enter our soul. 

The Spirit of God will convict us to show us the right application as we read and study the Bible.

It does take an investment of our time and energy to study the scriptures. The word "workman" refers to day laborers who worked in the fields from sunrise to sunset, bringing in a harvest for their master. 

Passing on the need to faithfully preach the Word at all times. 

2 Timothy 4:1-4  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2)  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3)  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 

There is a spiritual standard for the Church from God that must be upheld. 

It is a standard of maintaining sound doctrine, of accurately preaching the gospel of Christ and of carefully teaching the Word by rightly dividing it.

It is a standard of being faithful to preach the Word when it is well received and when people hate to hear gospel preaching. 

It is a standard of holding up the truth of God's inspired Word even when most reject His truth in order to believe fables and myths.

1 Corinthians 4:18-21  Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. 19)  But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. 20)  For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 21)  What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness? 

Paul concludes this section with a very strong warning. He pointed to those who were false teachers, who promoted following a man rather than following hard after Christ. 

They were puffed up with an inflated view of themselves. Their spirit was arrogant, haughty and proud. 

Paul said that he would make haste to come to them if it was the Lord's will for him to do so.

If he was permitted to come, the apostle would know their hearts and the specific corrupt communication that came out of some men's mouths. 

He would address their sin with the apostolic authority God gave him. Thus, he tells us that the kingdom of God is not mere words, but it is the power of God. 

It is the power of God exercised by Paul to cast a demon out of a certain young girl (See Acts 16:16-24).

It is the power of God that wrought many special miracles by the hand of Paul (See Acts 19:11-20).

It is the power of God whereby Paul raised a young man from the dead (See Acts 20:7-16).

This is the power of right judgment and discernment that Paul would bring to bear when he came to Corinth.

Thus, Paul asks the Corinthians a question. "Do you want me to come with a rod of God's judgment upon your sin, or will you not repent that I may come with love and meekness?"

Paul's heart is very clear. He wants God's best for the Corinthians and he knows that their sinful actions bring them into judgment. 

He loves them greatly and as a father must often correct his own children, so Paul will correct them if need be. 

He would rather that they listen to him and repent of their sins, so that they may go forward in their walk with the Lord.

Let us each make sure that our hearts are clean before the Lord.

Let us confess any known sin and get them under the blood of Christ.

Let us fill our hearts and minds with truth from the scriptures.

Let us lean upon the indwelling Holy Spirit and ask Him to guide our steps in His Word.

Above all, let us ask our Father to conform us more to the image of His dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Bob