Historical Posts
Order in the Church – 1 Corinthians 14:40
Text: 1 Corinthians 14:40
Introduction
When Paul was writing to the church at Corinth, he addressed some problems concerning their worship to God. He told them, “let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). A world without order would lead to chaos. There would be much confusion as no one would know what to do.
An Orderly Creation
God created the world in an orderly fashion (Genesis 1:1-27). Hence, He is not the author of confusion, but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). We must worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24), and if we all do that there will be order and not confusion.
Order in Worship
One specific problem the church at Corinth had was the way in which they observed the Lord’s Supper. Paul reminded them of how Jesus used it to remind them of His body and blood (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). When they partook of it, they were to examine themselves and remember the sacrifice Christ made; yet, some took this for a common meal. They were being worldly in this, as Paul said they should not do. After addressing this problem, Paul said he would “set the rest in order” when he came (1 Corinthians 11:27-34).
An Orderly Account
3. The Bible is written in an orderly fashion. It is divided into two testaments (old and new) that takes us from God creating the world to His law given through Moses, speaking through the prophets, birth and life of Christ, history of the church, guide to living the faithful Christian life, and then to things that would shortly come to pass according to Revelation. Luke tells Theophilus he was writing an orderly account to set in order things that happened to Christ (Luke 1:1-4).
An Orderly Work
4. Paul had an important job for Titus. He left him in Crete to “set in order things that were lacking” (Titus 1:5). One can only wonder what was missing in the church there, and what problem may have needed to be corrected.
Order in our Lives
Is anything out of order in your life? Have you obeyed the gospel by being baptized for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38)? If so, are you living faithfully as you should (Revelation 2:10)?
Is there anything you need to set in order with God, yourself, or with anyone else?
Content by Richard Dillon
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Acts 10:01-48 Cornelius, the First Gentile Christian
Text: Acts 10:1-48
Bible Class Discussion Notes
- Acts 10:1-2 – Little is known of Cornelius. Although he was a centurion of the Italian regiment, very devout, feared God, gave generously, and prayed to God always. When one fears God, he commits himself to loving Him and doing what He says (Ecclesiastes 12:13; Deuteronomy 10:12-13). Since Cornelius was a good man, God remembered his prayer and helped him learn what to do to be saved.
- Acts 10:3-8 – In a vision, an angel told Cornelius to send for Simon Peter in Joppa; he would tell him what he needed to do.
- Acts 10:9-16 – As Cornelius sends men to find Peter, Peter is on a roof praying. He falls into a trance and sees a vision of a sheet that descends from heaven full of unclean animals. Each time this happens, a voice says “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” Peter would not do so, for he was a Jew and knew that he could not eat unclean animals according to the old law. Yet, a voice from heaven told him “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”
- Acts 10:17-23 – The men arrive at Peter’s house, as Peter wonders what this vision means. Peter was told to go with them and do not doubt! Ironically, Peter had a past of doubting. Jesus told him “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31) when Peter walked on the water to Jesus. Christians are told a few times in Scripture to do things without doubting (1 Timothy 2:8; James 1:5-6). Thus, Peter goes the following day to meet Cornelius.
- Acts 10:24-33 – Peter arrives in Caesarea to find Cornelius waiting with many friends and family to hear what God has to say through Peter. Peter confesses that he learns that God showed him not to call any man common or unclean; the gospel is for all (Romans 1:16), Jew and Gentile alike!
- Acts 10:34-43 – Peter preaches the gospel to Cornelius and his household. Thus they learn that remission of sins is gained through obedience to Christ.
- Acts 10:44-48 – Cornelius and his household receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and are baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Content by Richard Dillon
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1 John 05:20
Text: 1 John 5:20
John knows that God’s Son came in the flesh
He knows because he personally saw, heard, and touched Him (1 John 1:1-3; John 1:1-2, 14-15). Other gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) also wrote what they saw and heard.
God’s only begotten Son has given us an understanding
When Jesus was with his disciples after His resurrection, He explained to them that all things would be fulfilled. Thus, he “opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures” (Luke 24:44-45).
Later, when the Ethiopian eunuch was reading from Isaiah, he could not understand it until Philip preached unto him Jesus, beginning at the same Scripture (Acts 8:26-40). He understood what he needed to do, for he was baptized soon after. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would come and guide us into all truth, and He did (John 16:13).
We may know Him who is true
Jesus is the truth (John 14:6), His Father is the only true God (Ephesians 4:6; John 17:3), and His Word is true (John 17:17). As long as we do what God says and do not do what He does not say, we are of the truth; otherwise, we are lying and not of the truth (Romans 3:4; 1 John 1:6-10; 5:10).
We are in Him who is true
According to God’s Word, only one thing puts us into Christ: baptism (Galatians 3:26-27; Romans 6:1-6).
Only in Christ do we receive all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3), including fellowship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (John 17:20-26).
Another thing that is found in Christ Jesus is eternal life. Just as John tells us what it is, he explains that if we are in Christ, we have eternal life; if we do not have the Son of God, we do not have life (1 John 5:11-12). As long as we live, we must do so faithfully that we might receive everlasting life (Revelation 2:10).
Content by Richard Dillon
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Qualification of Elders – Titus 01:05-09
Text: Titus 1:5-9
Paul gives Titus instructions to appoint elders in every city, and even gives their qualifications (Titus 1:5-9). Most of these qualifications should be characteristics of all Christians, but they are required for elders. They are:
1. Blameless. We should live our lives in such a godly way that we cannot be at fault for anything. We are all sinners (Romans 3:23), yet Christ did no sin (1 Peter 2:21-24). It is only through Him that we can become blameless (Colossians 1:22; 1 Corinthians 1:8).
2. Husband of one wife. Christ gives many instructions concerning the family in the New Testament. There is to be one wife per husband (1 Corinthians 7:2), and each has commandments from the Lord (Ephesians 5-6).
3. Faithful children not accused of dissipation. If a child is taught the way to go, when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). However, a child shouldn’t live a reckless life or destroy his lifestyle as the prodigal son did (Luke 15:11ff.).
4. Faithful children not accused of insubordination. Children should not be disobedient to their parents or reject their authority (Ephesians 6), as Christians should be subject unto God, our Heavenly Father.
5. Steward of God. A steward must be faithful in all things (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).
6. Not self-willed. We should not be thinking of ourselves, but strive to please God as Christ did (Philippians 2:4; Romans 12:3; Luke 22:42).
7. Not quick-tempered. As humans we get angry, yet should not sin (Ephesians 4:26), even as Christ did (John 2:13-16).
8. Not given to wine. We should not be filled with wine, but with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
9. Not violent. If possible, we should live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18).
10. Not greedy for money. Money is necessary to survive, but the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10).
11. Hospitable. When we do things for others, we do so to Christ (Matthew 25).
12. A lover of what is good. We should think of things of good report (Philippians 4:8); even Christ went about doing good (Acts 10:38; Hebrews 13:16).
13. Sober-minded. We should live as with a purpose, striving to get to Heaven (Revelation 2:10).
14. Just. We must know the difference between right and wrong, and thus do right (James 4:17).
15. Holy. God often said “Be ye therefore holy, even as I am holy (1 Peter 1:16; Leviticus 11:44,45).
16. Self-controlled. It is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23), and should be added to our faith (2 Peter 1:5-8).
17. Hold fast the faithful word. By studying God’s word (2 Timothy 2:15), we can know the truth (John 8:32; 17:17). Thus, we can show some where they’re right; prove others wrong, and help all get to Heaven.
Content by Richard Dillon
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John 10:24-30 Jesus, The Good Shepherd (Part 3)
Text: John 10:24-30
Bible Class Discussion Notes
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3- John 10:24 – Many of the Jews still doubted that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
- John 10:25 – Jesus already proved who He was by His words, miracles, and sinless life. Even if they still didn’t believe Him, they could not deny the works He did.
Jesus knew that according to Jewish law, there had to be 2 or 3 witnesses before a testimony could be considered. Therefore, Jesus claimed Himself, His works, His Heavenly Father, and John as witnesses to His identity (John 5:31-38; 1 John 5:7-11). - John 10:26-27 – Jesus knew that they didn’t believe Him because they were not of His sheep. Jesus knows His sheep, and His sheep know Him and His voice (John 8:47; previous lesson).
- John 10:28 – Christ gives eternal life to His sheep. No one can remove them from His protection (John 3:15-16).
- John 10:29 – Christ reminds us that His Heavenly Father is greater than all (John 14:28), even Himself. Thus, He gave Christ all authority (Ephesians 4:6; Matthew 28:18), who will eventually return it to Him (1 Corinthians 15:24-28).
- John 10:30 – Jesus equates Himself with His Father, which caused the Jews to believe He was blaspheming God. However, Jesus prayed that we would all be one with Him, as He is one with the Father (John 17:6-10).
Content by Richard Dillon
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John 10:07-18 Jesus, The Good Shepherd (Part 2)
Text: John 10:7-18
Bible Class Discussion Notes
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3- John 10:7 – Jesus states plainly that He is the door of the sheep (see John 10:1). There is no other way to His Father but through Him (John 14:6).
- John 10:8 – All those coming before or after Christ are NOT Him; instead, they are the thieves and robbers (verses 1-5). Therefore, we should not believe the many false Christs that exist today that Jesus warned us about (Matthew 24:23-25).
- John 10:9 – Again Jesus emphasizes He is the door of the sheep. If we go through Him, we can be saved (Acts 4:12); we can be saved through no other! Only through Christ, the door, do we have access to God by one Spirit (Ephesians 2:18).
- John 10:10-11 – As thieves and robbers come to kill and destroy, the Good Shepherd (Jesus Himself) comes to give life abundantly. He gave His life for us (John 3:16), and often says He is the bread of life (John 6:48) or can give living water (John 4:10, 14).
- John 10:12-13 – A hireling is a temporary shepherd. He does not care for the sheep but is only interested in receiving his wages. When danger approaches, he forsakes the sheep. Zechariah prophesied about a false shepherd who would be greatly punished (Zechariah 11:16-17).
- John 10:14-15 – As Christ is the Good Shepherd, He knows every one of His sheep, and we should all know Him.
Paul said, “The Lord knows those whose are His (2 Timothy 2:19ff”. Jesus knows His Father well, and His Father knows Him. He laid down His life for His friends, His sheep; we are His friends if we do what He commands us (John 15:13-14). - John 10:16 – There are other sheep not in this fold. Jesus commanded His apostles to preach the gospel throughout the world (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16). Thus there are many folds, but all have the same Shepherd—Christ! (See previous lessons on the kingdom of God as Christ is the head of the church.) We are all baptized into one body, the church of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 4:4-6; Ephesians 5:23; Romans 16:16).
- John 10:17-18 – God loved His only begotten Son because Jesus did His Father’s will. Thus, the world knows Jesus loved Him because He kept His commandment of laying down His life for us (John 14:31; 17:4). He has the power to lay it down and take it again (see Matthew 28:18).Jesus knows we love Him when we do His commandments (John 14:15).
Content by Richard Dillon
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John 10:01-06 Jesus, The Good Shepherd (Part 1)
Text: John 10:1-6
Bible Class Discussion Notes
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3- John 10:1 – If anyone tries to enter the sheepfold by any way other than the door, he is a thief and a robber. In the religious world, people try to get to Heaven by other ways than through the right one.Solomon wrote, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25).” Thus there is only ONE way to Heaven, and that is through Jesus Christ (John 14:6).Sadly, there are many that go down the wrong road that leads to destruction, but we can take the narrow gate and difficult way to life (Matthew 7:13-14).
- John 10:2 – The one that goes in and out of the door is the shepherd. He has access to do the door, and we have access to Christ by faith into God’s grace (Ephesians 5:1-2), and access to God through Christ (Hebrews 11:6).
- John 10:3 – The doorkeeper opens the door for the shepherd, and the sheep follow him in and out. The shepherd knows all the sheep by name, and they should all know him.Jesus knows us all by name, and even when Mary did not recognize Him after His resurrection, He called her “Mary!” and she knew Him (John 20:16).
- John 10:4-5 – The shepherd is the leader of the sheep, and the sheep follow only him. Strangers may try to lead the sheep, but a sheep should only follow the voice that is familiar.Likewise, there are many “wolves in sheep’s clothing” in the religious world. Sadly, many are misled by those wolves. The apostle Paul warns us about them (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).We should know God’s voice by constant study of His word (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17). God’s word was first spoken directly, then through the law of Moses, then by the prophets, then by His own Son, and now in the Bible (Hebrews 1:1-3). We must not follow those that teach contrary to God’s Word!
- John 10:6 – Some were not able to understand Jesus’ illustration.He often spoke in parables because some could not see nor understand (Luke 8:9-10). There was even a time when the disciples could not understand about Jesus being delivered into the hands of men because it was hidden from them until the Day of Pentecost (Luke 9:43-45; Acts 2:1-40).
Content by Richard Dillon
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