First Corinthians 11 Part 2 Learn And Hold Fast To God's Truth

Remember the apostolic ordinances and comply with them.

1 Corinthians 11:1-2  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 2)  Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. 

In the context of urging us to follow him because Paul is following Christ, the apostle gives even more instruction.

He uses the word "ordinances" and this same Greek word is translated "tradition" in the other 12 places where it is used. 

Ordinances or traditions refer to inspired teaching and instruction from Spirit guided apostles, that are to be observed by each church.

Paul urges the Corinthians and all other believers, to remember his instructions and to observe or live according to the apostolic instructions. 

The church is instructed to keep the traditions and ordinances as delivered to us by the apostles. They are not to be changed or tweaked, but maintained in purity.

The reason for this is so that the truth of scripture and the gospel of Christ are not compromised, as they are passed down to each generation.

Paul begins by commending what was praiseworthy in their testimony as a church.   

Many of them did remember all of Paul's instructions and sought to live according to those truths. 

Some Corinthians were lax and did not keep the ordinances and they corrupted their faith and practice.  Paul will continue addressing those issues. 

It is a good practice for any pastor or elder to commend the good things that he sees in his church, before addressing any weaknesses or things that need to be corrected.

This is what the Lord Jesus Christ did in His letters to the seven churches in Asia (See Revelation 2 & 3). 

Those who please God are those who hold fast to the apostolic instruction.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-15  But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14)  Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15)  Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

Paul gave thanks for each church that he planted. He knew the people in each place and remembered how they were converted to Christ through his gospel preaching.

The apostle loved those to whom he ministered. Paul reminds the Thessalonians of the glory of their salvation and sanctification which comes through believing and obeying the truth. 

His last words to that church (and to all of us) include an exhortation to stand fast by holding the apostolic traditions.

This is the idea of God's truth taking root in our heart such that we remain firmly committed to it. 

It is the idea of being unwilling to yield up or to compromise His holy truth, as we daily seek to live by every word from the  mouth of God (See Matthew 4:4).

The idea of "holding" the inspired traditions from God means we put time and energy into learning, understanding and applying what God says to us in His Word.

Those who live by the Spirit guided traditions are living a happy and blessed life. 

An orderly walk with the Lord Jesus Christ in the light of His Word, reflects the wonderful God that we serve.

Those whose lives are a mess do not obey the apostolic truths.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-9  Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7)  For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 8)  Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 9)  Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 

Paul first gave a positive example of why we should hold fast to the apostolic truth and inspired traditions that they gave us.

Now he uses a negative example of what life is like for those who do not follow Christ and obey His Word.

Those who do not hold fast to the truth and apostolic traditions God gave to us, live a disorderly life.

Their lives are marked by conflict, rebellion against God's Word, and experiencing one crisis after another. 

Professing Christians walking in a disorderly manner are living for self instead of loving one another. They live an unholy life instead of pursuing holiness. 

Wrong conduct may embolden others to live for self and the world instead of seeking to be conformed more into the image of Christ. 

Paul admonishes us to withdraw from those who walk disorderly because they do not hold fast to God's Word and the apostolic traditions. 

Paul could point to his own life as an example because the Thessalonians and the Corinthians knew how Paul honored Christ with his life. 

Paul could say "You follow us because we walked orderly among you!"

He worked with his own hands to supply for food, clothing and shelter for his needs. He did not want to be a financial burden to the poorer Christians at Thessalonica. 

Even though Paul had the authority to ask them to supply his needs he refused to do so.

Thus, Paul's life was an excellent example for all the churches to follow.

Christ delivered the gospel truth to the apostles who then delivered it to us. 

1 Corinthians 15:1-10  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2)  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3)  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4)  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5)  And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6)  After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7)  After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8)  And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9)  For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10)  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 

The Spirit of God gave the apostles inspired truth, inspired doctrines, and inspired ordinances or traditions to deliver to all the churches. 

Paul reminds us how it is critical to hold fast to these truths and commit them to the next generation of Christians. 

For example, regarding the gospel of Jesus Christ and His resurrection, Paul tells us that he delivered to all churches the gospel of Christ that he received from the Lord.

Paul is going to address the issue of head coverings but his instruction will be shaped by the apostolic truth that we have received in scripture. 

What do these things imply for us?

First, I think we see our great need to be diligent students of God's word.

We need to really know His truth and allow it to saturate and permeate our soul.

We need to daily ask the Spirit of God to teach us and guide us as we read, study and meditate on the Word of God.

He lives in each believer's heart and He not only caused the scriptures to be written, but He is our teacher and guide. 

Second, we have a need to learn how to apply the truths that God teaches us. 

We need to ask the Spirit of God to strengthen us to live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

Let the words of the Psalmist shape how we pray about these things. God will honor a prayer like the one below. 

When we ask God to do this in our life, He will show us His ways. He will teach us His paths.

He will lead us and teach us. He will guide and order our steps in His Word. He will order our steps and shape us into good men, women and young people who desire to love and serve our great God.

In doing this for us God will help us grow in our faith and our conformity to the image of Christ. 

Bob

Psalm 25:4-5  Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. 5)  Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. 

Psalm 25:8-10  Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 9)  The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 10)  All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

Psalm 37:23  The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 

Psalm 119:133  Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.