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Highlights of the Teachings of Paul Goals for This Session " Five “highlights” of Paul’s teachings What Paul had to say to the churches in the 1st Century What Paul has to say to the Church in the 21st Century Gather information from the text and experience transformation as a result Biblical Interpretation " Determine “what the text (teaching) says” Expose “what the text means” Biblical Interpretation " Select a specific text for study Broaden the study to include the literary context (verse, chapter, book, whole counsel of God) Determine the historical context (date, author, audience, place, purpose, principles) Interpret scripture with scripture 5. The Second Coming " 1 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Thessalonica and Paul’s Letter " Written 51 – 52 A. D. Planted the church and left hastily Sent Timothy to encourage and bring a report Wrote in response to his report The Broader Context of the Letter " Gave thanks for their “work of faith and labor of love” Commended their turning from idols to serve the living and true God Followed with a series of admonitions based on Timothy’s report Urged them to abstain from sexual immorality Expectation of Jesus’ Return " Degenerated into excited and irresponsible enthusiasm Resulted in the neglect of duties of daily life Spread rumors that the Lord had already returned Confused as to the fate of those who die before the Lord’s return Instructions to the Church Assured them the Lord will return " “Like a thief in the night” “Keep awake and sober” “Put on the breatplate of faith and love and the helmet of the hope of salvation” “Admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted” Further Instructions " 13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Application of Paul’s Teaching " What was Paul saying to the Church at Thessalonica? What is he saying to us today in regards to the expectation of the Lord’s return? How then are we to live in terms of this hope? Impact of this Expectation on Paul’s Life and Teaching " Believed Christ’s return was imminent Focus of his theological vision Framework for his apostolic activity and moral outlook Belief in Christ’s Imminent Return " Fired his sense of urgency in reaching Spain Compelled Paul to reach the greatest number of converts before return Undergirded his “stay as you are” rule of thumb (slave, circumcised, married, widow) 4. Hot-Potato Issue: “Meat Offered to Idols” " Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. 2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. 3 But whoever loves God is known by God. 4 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. 7 But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8 But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. 9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall. 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 1 Corinth and Paul’s Letters Written 56 or 57 A. D. " Two – four lost letters Wrote like a father to his wayward child Focus was on problems, pressures, and struggles of house/shop churches living in a pagan society “To live like a Corinthian” The Larger Context of the Letter " Expressed concern for factions in the Church as reported by Chole’s people Condemned reported case of immorality – “of a kind that is not found even among pagans” Addressed numerous “hot-potato” issues – lawsuits, conjugal rights, hairstyles, tongues Provided earliest account of Jesus’ resurrection “Food Sacrificed to Idols” " Meat sacrificed to the gods during festivals in Corinth was sold in the market Meals were shared in temples and halls with leftover meat Meat in the diet was limited to such occasions especially for the poor New Christians were perplexed as to whether participation and the eating of meat constituted idol worship and compromise Instructions to the Church " “All of us possess knowledge” – one God “Not everyone…has this knowledge” “Their conscience, being weak, is defiled” “Take care that this liberty of yours does not…become a stumbling block to the weak” Timeless Principles " “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” “There is no God but one” “Food will not bring us close to God” “Weak believers for whom Christ died” “Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall” Further Instructions " 23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. 25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”[a] 27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for? 31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. 1 Corinthians 10:23 - 33 Application of Paul’s Teaching " “All things are lawful, but not all things are beneficial” “For why should my liberty be subject to the judgment of someone else’s conscience” “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God” “Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the Church of God. Just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, so that they may be saved” Hot-potato? " May sound distantly irrelevant after two-thousand years What contemporary intra-Christian disputes will seem just as dated and irrelevant to subsequent Christian generations? How Paul sought to resolve this issue may speak time and again today and in the future “Strong” must not despise the weak, and the “weak” must not judge the strong Rather “welcome one another just as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Romans 15:7) Stand and labor side by side 3. The Nature of the Church " 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[b]? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way. 1 Corinthians 12:27 - 31 Broader Context of Paul’s Teaching " Wrote to Corinth 56-57 A. D. Wrote to Rome in 57 Wrote to Ephesians in 60-63 A. D. To all, Paul wrote of unity, spiritual gifts, and places of service Two-fold Teaching " “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it” – 1 Cor. 12:27 “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one, so it is with Christ” – 1 Cor. 12:12 Instructions to the Church " The Church is “the body of Christ” The Church is like the human body Like the body, the church is made up of many members Each member has her or his function/ministry and contributes to the health of the entire body The Church is at its best when the body functions harmoniously as one body which is God’s design Further Instructions " 15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 1 Corinthians 12:15 - 26 Romans 12:4-8 " 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Ephesians 4:1-13 " 1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace has been given…11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Applications of Paul’s Teaching " Embrace the unity given by Christ Know that all members have been given gifts and all members and gifts are necessary Discover the gifts given for the common good Employ all gifts in Christ-like service and in a variety of places Source of the gifts eliminates arrogance and confusion 2. Salvation by Grace through Faith " “We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles 16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. 17 “But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! 18 If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker. 19 “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” Galatians 2:15 - 21 15 Circular Letter " Written sometime between 53-56 A. D. Addressed to the churches he planted either during the first journey or revisited on the second journey as well as visits to new communities of faith in Galatia Recurrent theme to all the churches where Judaizers sought to turn the faith of Gentile converts (Romans and Ephesians) The Broader Context of Galatians " Defended his apostolic authority in the face of questions and criticism by “false teachers” Defended the truth of the gospel of grace against the false gospel of works Explained the gospel of grace Applied the gospel of grace Instructions to the Gentiles " “A person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Christ” “I died to the law, so that I might live to God” “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me” Applications " Salvation is the work of God on behalf of His people out of His sheer grace Believers lay hold of the offered salvation through faith God’s mighty act in Jesus has freed the believer from license (sin) and legalism, to liberty The believer is called to stand firm in this liberty and not return to the bondage of the gospel of works Clear What Was at Stake " “Works without faith” was the issue being addressed “Faith with works” is never the issue Remember, the “indicative-imperative” pattern 1. In Your Own Words " A “highlight” of Paul’s teachings for you? New Perspective? " New perspective called for regarding 1st Century Judaism Judaism then was not legalistic but held to the belief that forgiveness was the gift of a merciful God Rules of Judaism was for the sake of preserving identity (circumcision, sabbath, dietary laws) Therefore, new perspective called for regarding Paul and certain teachings Yet many 1st Century Jews were legalistic and excessively moralistic and many of these dogged Paul throughout his ministry Indisputable fact is that salvation by grace through faith and not works is the core truth of Christianity More Bones or More “Pauls?” " In 2006, Vatican archaeologists unearthed a sarcophagus believed to contain the remains of the Apostle Paul Buried beneath the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls Carbon-dating tests on the bone fragments point to a time in the 1st or 2nd Century While reverence is called for, what we need are more “Pauls” or at least a rediscovery of the life and teachings of Paul in today’s Church