1

First CorinthiansFirst Corinthians“Solving Church Problems”“Solving Church Problems”

Lesson 3, Section Four

Problem Two:

“Disregard for Apostolic Authority”

First Corinthians 1:10-17

Pages 14-18

2

Now, let’s look back and then ahead...Now, let’s look back and then ahead...

• We have just discussed:• Paul’s plea for “Unity of Mind” (Section Two)

• Divisions and factions were taking them over

• How the Corinthians had been subjected to the “Intimidation by the World” (Section Three)

• Wisdom of men was creeping in among them

• Today, we will discuss their next problem:• “Disregard for Apostolic Authority” (Section Four)

3

What Paul Did and Did Not PreachWhat Paul Did and Did Not Preach1 Cor. 2:1-51 Cor. 2:1-5

• Paul did not preach:• With excellence of speech (1)• Of wisdom of words (1:17, 2:1)• With enticing [persuasive] words (4)• In the wisdom of men (5)

• Paul did preach:• The testimony of God (2:1, Acts 18:11)• “Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (2)• In demonstration of the Spirit and of power (4)• That their faith would not rest in the wisdom of

men, but in the power of God (5)

4

Paul Preached “Christ Crucified”Paul Preached “Christ Crucified”1 Cor. 2:1-51 Cor. 2:1-5

• The message of “Christ crucified” was not popular among the Jews or Gentiles (1:23)

• When Paul went to Corinth, he preached the word of God• “...and many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed,

and were baptized” (Acts 18:8)

• Paul’s emphasis was on the message, “the power of God” (5); not on the messenger, “the wisdom of men” (4)

• Paul preached in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling while among them (3)

5

God’s Wisdom Was Hidden For AgesGod’s Wisdom Was Hidden For Ages1 Cor. 2:6-91 Cor. 2:6-9

• Paul spoke:• Wisdom among those who were mature [truth-

seekers] (6)• Wisdom of God in a mystery (7)

• The hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages

• None of the rulers [leading men] knew any thing about these truths being revealed (6)• Had they known, they would not have crucified

Lord of glory, Jesus Christ (8)

6

God’s Wisdom Was Hidden For AgesGod’s Wisdom Was Hidden For Ages1 Cor. 2:91 Cor. 2:9

• He uses Isaiah 64:4 to show this point:"Eye has not seen, and ear has not heard," nor has it risen up into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those that love Him. (Isa. 64:4)

• No man knew the wisdom of salvation which He had prepared for those that love Him• It was above all that man had seen or heard, or

felt in his heart, or could have known

• God had kept these things to himself until the time of His choosing

7

God’s Wisdom Is Now RevealedGod’s Wisdom Is Now Revealed1 Cor. 2:101 Cor. 2:10

• The mystery [God’s plan of salvation] was revealed to “us” [the apostles] by His Spirit (10)• God’s spiritual plan for man was revealed to

man in the present age (10) • Revealed when Jesus came and was crucified

for man’s sins (2 Tim. 1:10)

8

God’s Wisdom Is Now RevealedGod’s Wisdom Is Now Revealed1 Cor. 2:10-111 Cor. 2:10-11

• The Spirit knew the mind of God (10)• Paul had demonstrated to them the Spirit and

the power while he was among them (verse 4)

• The Spirit alone searched the “deep” thoughts of God and revealed them to the apostles (10-11)• Everything man needed for salvation from sins• Paul had a thorough knowledge of these things

• Just as no one knows the mind of a man, no one knows the mind of God, but His Spirit (11)

9

Paul Received God’s WisdomPaul Received God’s Wisdom1 Cor. 2:12-131 Cor. 2:12-13

• “We” [the genuine apostles of Christ] have received the Spirit of God (12)• The Spirit was freely given to the apostles• An uninspired teacher could not know, or have

known, the mind of God (11)

• These things are what Paul taught (13)• “Things” are the truths revealed by the Spirit of God• He did not teach his own wisdom [man’s wisdom]• He compared spiritual thoughts with spiritual words• The things received from God were the only things

spoken by Paul and other inspired preachers (2)

10

The “Natural” vs. The “Spiritual”The “Natural” vs. The “Spiritual”1 Cor. 2:14-151 Cor. 2:14-15

• The natural [uninspired] man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God (14)• These things are foolish to him• He does not know [understand] them• Why? Because God’s thoughts are for the

spiritually minded

• The spiritual [inspired] can discern the things of the Spirit of God (15)

• The natural man cannot discern [understand] the spiritual man (15)

• Paul’s could not be successfully challenged!

11

Paul Had The Mind of ChristPaul Had The Mind of Christ1 Cor. 2:161 Cor. 2:16

• No “natural” man can know how to instruct the Lord or anyone else• In this sense, “natural” is opposed to artificial or

acquired• He has no inherent spiritual knowledge (see

verse 11)

• All spiritual information must travel the other way - from the Lord to man [an apostle]

• Paul has “the mind of Christ”• How could the Corinthians “Disregard the

Apostolic Authority”