1 Corinthians 9: 1, 2 Being an apostle (questions [email protected])

To put this chapter in perspective, we have to realize what paul is talking about in the previous chapter.

  1. The debate on whether it is right to eat meat offered to idols.
  2. Answer: Idols are nothing so the meat is nothing
    1. If what we do causes another to fall out of love for Jesus, quit doing it.
    2. If you are stumbling by what those around you do, then you need to grow up.

Now he continues to deal with the subject of what is the responsibility of the christian in comparison to those around us.

1. Paul defends his apostleship Vs 1, 2

  1. Rhetorical questions which are all answered yes.
    1. Am I not free?
    2. Have I not seen Jesus?
    3. Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?
    4. Your existence is evidence of my apostleship.
  2. Are there apostles today?

1. the Apostleship Paul is talking about is seeing Jesus face to face.

1. This is the same level as the twelve disciples according to Mark 3: 14

  1. Paul is putting himself on the same level as the disciples as far as seeing Jesus.
  2. According to this definition, this type of apostleship does not exists anymore.
  3. Ephesians 4: 11 – 13 tells of the gift of an apostle that is for us today.

2. The gifts to the church.

  1. Context of Ephesians 4: 11, 12
    1. Jesus is ascending out of Abraham’s Bosom (See Luke 16: 19 – 31)
    2. He is giving gifts to the church.
  2. We all have these gifts. Ephesians 4: 7
    1. Learn more about this in chapter 12, and 14
    2. Gifts are not ours, but a channel for them to flow through us.
    3. EXAMPLE: I pray for healing for someone and they are healed, who got the gift ofhealing?
  3. Some of the gifts given to the church. This is not an exhaustive list (1 Corinthians 12: 28)1. Apostles
    2. Prophets! 3. Evangelists! 4. Pastors
    5. Teachers.
  4. There is a difference between having one of these gifts and being called by that gifting! 1. EXAMPLE: you may have the gift of teaching, but not be a teacher
  5. We don’t take these titles on ourselves. They are recognized by those around us.
    1. Paul rebukes those who call themselves “Super Apostles” (See 2 Corinthians 11: 5)

2. Paul says his calling to be an apostle is from Jesus himself (See 1 Corinthians 1: 1)

 

3. The gifts defined.

  1. Apostles mentioned 89 times in the bible in the singular and plural forms
    1. Planter of new things.
    2. A visionary
    3. Moves in great faith and can believe for great things to happen
  2. Prophets mentioned 458 times in singular and plural forms
    1. Corrects and edifies the church.
    2. Can see what will happen if we continue on the same path that we are on.
    3. We will look more at how this operates when we get to chapter 12 and 14
  3. NOTE; THESE TWO OFFICES ARE A FOUNDATION TO ANY NEW WORK THAT IS HAPPENING.
    1. EPHESIANS 2; 19 – 21 …BUILT ON THE FOUNDATION OF APOSTLES AND PROPHETS.
    2. 1 CORINTHIANS 12: 28 AND GOD PLACED IN THE CHURCH FIRST OF ALL APOSTLES SECOND PROPHETS.
  4. Evangelists mentioned 3 times.

1. Oversees conversion of the lost.

5. Pastors mentioned only here
1. shepherds the body and makes sure it is healthy.

6. Teachers mentioned 139 times in singular and plural forms.

1. Teaches and makes disciples of new believers.! 4!. Purpose of these gifts.

  1. Equip people for doing the work of of Jesus and build up the body of Christ. Ephesians 4: 12
  2. Desire is that we would become mature and attain the full measure of Christ.
  3. This was the desire of Paul. He wanted us to know the thoughts of God (1 Corinthians 2: 16)
    1. A pursuit of one teacher stopped them from maturing
    2. We need all of these gifts for the church to be able to grow and mature.
  4. What a growing body looks like.
    1. Not immature
    2. Speak the truth to each other in love
    3. Becoming more and more like Christ.
    4. We fit together as each person does their part.
    5. We grow, are healthy and full of love

1. Why the “Love Chapter” is in the middle of two chapters on spiritual gifts.