ntIcorinthians1

Caution to students of God's Word - Please remember two things when using our studies: #1. Our commentary is not God's Word. It is only our interpretation or understanding of "His Word" and even though we try our best to be accurate we may or may not be correct. #2. The King James translation, or any other translation, of the original Hebrew text has some words which were given different translations at different places probably because of the interpreters preconceived ideas of what they think God meant to say. For example: According to the notes in the "Dake's Annotated Reference Bible" the Hebrew word hayah in the KJV is Trans. (became) 67 times, (becamest or came to pass) 505 times, (become) 66 times, and (come to pass) 131 times, but for some reason in Genesis 1:2 it is translated (was)! That sure changes the way a person perceives the original creation of the earth, doesn't it? Gen. 1:2 And the earth was (became) without form, ... Having said that, let us continue with our "Key Knowledge" lessons. These are pamphlets containing knowledge, we believe, you must have to fully and accurately unlock and understand the Word of God.

John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:13-14
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

This Bible Study was originally written by Roger Christopherson,
published at http://www.theseason.org/

Without the leading by the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of the truths, for all the truth of the Scriptures are revealed to us by God's Spirit.

In Paul's day Corinth was the chief city of the Roman province of Achaia. Situated on the Isthmus of Corinth. This city had a harbor on each side of the city and thus it was noted for being a center of commerce. With the city's location as a center of commerce, the people of the Corinth were noted for their wealth as well as its wild extravagance. Things have changed greatly over the years until today Corinth is nothing more than a small village. Corinth was only about forty miles west of Athens, and on the route of Paul missionary journey. Paul established a church there.

This book of I Corinthians gives us an account of Paul's ministry in and to the church at Corinth, which is also given to us in detail in Acts 18:1-18. After Paul had preached in Corinth and started his ministry there, some time afterwards the eloquent speaker Apollos came to Corinth and presented the gospel in a different manner of speech then the apostle Paul had first taught them. This teaching of Apollos had left a powerful impression on the church at Corinth, which in turn caused the forming of two different parties or divisions. One followed strictly the teaching of Paul, and the other became the followers of Apollos.

Then as time past a third group of Christians started to form, and these people were called "Judaizers". These "Judaizers" wanted to fall back under the law, and they claimed the authority for this legalism was of Peter [Cephas]. Even with all this confusion starting to form, a forth group formed that repudiated all the other three, and claimed that they were the only true followers of Christ. So this division and confusion was the real problem that Paul had to deal within the Corinth church in its infancy.

JUDAIZERS - Ref: Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary

[joo dee EYE zurs]-- early converts to Christianity who tried to force believers from non-Jewish backgrounds to adopt Jewish customs as a condition of salvation. Evidence of this movement within the early church first emerged about A. D. 49, when "certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, 'Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved'" (Acts 15:1).

The apostle Paul denounced this idea, insisting that only one thing is necessary for salvation: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 15:1-29). In the letter to the Galatians, Paul continued this same argument, insisting that the believer is justified by faith alone. To become a new person in Christ is to be set free from the requirements of the Jewish law: "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation" (Gal. 6:15).

As these four different groups brought confusion into their church, there was another even more dangerous problem that this church met, and that was the influence from the corrupt surroundings of the city of Corinth. Corinth was the center of the worship to Diana [Ishtar], the sex goddess, which was a form of the ancient Baal and Asharoth worship, also referred to as "groves" worship.

Christians take note: We are still guilty. Easter fertility eggs that our children hunt on the church lawn, and we pass out, quick like a "easter bunny", chocolate rabbits, all for the kids of course! Oh! it's just for fun! I wonder if the Lord thinks it's fun! Wake up Christian, before it's too late!

These problems built over a period of time and Paul received many letters while on his missionary journeys from the Corinthians. The Christians there wanted to know what was acceptable to them as Christians on these matters. Of all these problems, the most pressing Corinthian problem to reach Paul while he was teaching in Ephesus was that of the profanation of the Lord's Supper, and the toleration of incestuous offenders among them. So we see that these problems along with the divisions that had build up, were matters that had to be dealt with immediately.

Paul begins by referring to their divisions, and he vindicates his own ministry by calling them his "beloved sons." Paul then refers to the notorious offender of whom even the Gentiles would be ashamed, and Paul charges them to tolerate such actions no longer. Christians that are among them that commit incest and do such things should be cut off from their assembly. Paul blames their problems on their litigious [legalistic] spirit, in which they had sought the settling of their disputes among the heathen courts of law, and not in the light of the teachings of Christ and the apostles.

The rest of this epistle or letter to the Corinthians deals with the eating of foods offered to idols, the position and behavior of women, their leaving their head uncovered, and the disorder at the Lord's Supper. Spiritual gifts (especially speaking with tongues), and the skepticism as to the resurrection which stirred up the nobles, as discussed in Chapter fifteen.

There is one thing that has to be brought out about the character of Paul, and that is that he was a very zealous man. At Paul's conversion, there was no New Testament as we know it today, for most of the books that are in the New Testament were written by Paul. Paul's early knowledge of God's Word was taught him through his schooling in the Torah. The Torah are the first books of the Bible, and he learned also from the writings of the prophets. So Paul was an expert in the Old Testament, for he sat under the schooling of the greatest scholar of his day. Paul was the most educated of all the New Testament writers except for Luke, thus through his knowledge and the touch that the Holy Spirit revealed to him in the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies, Paul became the authority of Christ's teachings in His day, and in ours also.

When Paul saw that Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of the promised Messiah and those other prophecies surrounding Christ's birth, then it all came into focus for Paul. It was the same zealous nature that caused Paul to seek out Christians to punish them, which was now turned to the spreading of the gospel of Christ, and the starting of churches. Paul knew God's Word because he studied it completely. He was an authority of the Torah and the Old Testament prophets, and yet today people think that when the Spirit of God touches them, they don't need to study God's Word, and this isn't so. God simply doesn't like it when His people become lazy and this is reflected throughout His Word. God never uses His Holy Spirit to cover over for people's laziness.

The purpose for our learning the truth is so that we can learn how to lead others to Christ, as well as helping our brothers and sisters in this earth age of the flesh.

I Corinthians 1:1 "Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,"

Paul did not volunteer to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, but he was chosen by God to do the work that God had for him to do.

[Didn't volunteer! If you recall, as recorded in Acts, God knocked him off his horse, on the way to Damascus, and said something like, Saul, you're mine!]

Sosthenes was the ruler of a synagogue in Corinth, as we read in Acts 18:17; "Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for one of those things." Sosthenes was converted by Paul and headed up the church in Corinth. He was extremely persecuted for his conversion from Judaism to Christianity. The name "Sosthenes" in the Greek means "savior of his nation", and he truly lead his people in the ways of the Lord.

I Corinthians 1:2 "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:"

So we see that basically this letter is a doctrinal letter written to those that are sanctified in Jesus Christ, and called to be saints. Those that are "called" to be saints are those of "God's elect". This letter is written to those that were called to be set aside, for they did not volunteer for the mission that God had for them. The purpose of that calling was to teach the Word of God to unbelievers, and bring them into the congregation for that teaching.

In the phrase, "them that are sanctified" is referring to those "that God has set aside". In the Greek text the word "sanctify" is "Hagiazo" and it is from this word "Hagiazo" that we get the word "Holy". John 17:17; "Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth." "Them" again are the elect of God, and each of those of the elect of God are "sanctified" or made Holy to God through his Word. God's Word is truth, all of it from Genesis to Revelation, and it is from His Word that we gain our knowledge as to what is acceptable and what is unacceptable to our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the Father.

I Corinthians 1:3 "Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."

Here is the greeting from Paul to the congregation, "in the name of Jesus Christ". Paul is reminding them of the "grace", which is the "unmerited favor" that we have in the forgiveness of our sins, through the blood of Christ on the cross. We can only have peace of mind when we are set free from our sin.

I Corinthians 1:4 "I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;"

I Corinthians 1:5 "That in every thing ye are enriched by Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;"

The reason that we are enriched or made wealthy from the riches of God's wisdom, is that all wisdom and knowledge comes from God. God has placed within His Word all of the wisdom and knowledge to live a full life and prosper. The only thing that is required is your attention to His Word, to study and seeking the truth for yourself.

This ends the greeting by Paul to the Christians at Corinth. From here we must understand that Apollos was a good man, and great speaker. Though divisions had formed, it was not because Paul, Apollos and Peter wanted it that way, but because each handled the Word of God in a different manner. People naturally went to the side that they felt more comfortable with, and polarized themselves into their clicks or divisions. That is the way it is today as most Christians think that their little denomination is the right way.

So now Paul will try to straighten out all the different divisions, and get them back into the Word of God for the final authority. This is exactly as it is today, for each of the denominations were looking down on the other groups, however today it has even divided into different international divisions, such as the Catholics, Protestants, the Eastern Orthodox, and so. These clicks or divisions simply do not mix with any other denomination or sect but stay to themselves. Today there are even divisions within the divisions, and clicks within the divisions. This is what Paul is addressing.

So in our study in this book of Corinthians we will learn which of these churches carries positive truths, and which are negative. Our priorities should be based on "The overall plan of God", and in tune with His will. In that this is a doctrinal book, most every problem you face today will be answered in these two books or letters to the Corinthians. These books can be applied to our lives today just as they were directed to those men and women in the early church.

The testimony of Christ is confirmed in you when you hear what Christ did for you, and you accept Jesus Christ by faith into your life. You accept Jesus Christ through the repentance of all your sins to the Heavenly Father in Jesus name, and then are obedient to Christ even into baptism.

I Corinthians 1:7 "So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:"

That waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ that went on in this church at Corinth, is just as it is today. We are looking and waiting for Christ coming at the seventh and last trumpet. At the sounding seventh trumped is when all souls shall be changed from these physical bodies into our new spiritual incorruptible body that shall never age. Paul addresses this in detail in the fifteenth chapter of I Corinthians.

When we accept the Lord Jesus Christ, He puts gifts within each of us that allow us to take part in the spreading of the gospel of Christ. To some it is teaching, to others it is the ability to make money or to sing, to pray or whatever your gift is. However, what ever that gift is, it is to be used for the glory of God.

I Corinthians 1:8 "Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ."

When God saves you, he will "confirm" or keep you until the end of this earth age of the flesh. If you should die, then though your physical body is laid in the ground, and your soul will be return back to the Father that gave it. No soul lingers after death for any time on this earth after the soul has departed from it, but instantly all souls return to God, both the good and the bad.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 "Then shall the dust [decaying flesh] return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God Who gave it."

The Spirit is the intellect of your soul, and your soul is what gives life to your physical body. When we live our lives according to His Word then we repent of our sins to the Father in Jesus name. In time either at death or at the sounding of the seventh trump, we shall stand blameless before God. It is important for us to know the times we are living in because many of the end time prophecies are coming to pass right before our eyes. This is why it is essential that we become blameless, and upon (true) repentance we are instantly blameless because our sins are taken from us and blotted out at the throne of God by the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

I Corinthians 1:9 "God is faithful, by Whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord."

Man will let you down, but God is faithful to those of His election that were called into His service. Many people know that there is more to God's Word than what they are taught in their church houses, and this is an indication to each of you that God is calling you into His service, to be a witness for him.

I Corinthians 1:10 "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."

Today there are many different denominations that act as if they have something that no one else has and they all claim the name of Jesus Christ. Yet we have only one Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Spirit of the Living God which is the Holy Spirit. God is absolute in his will and Word and His Word is not split into contradictions. What He states in one Book is exactly as He meant it will be constant throughout all His Word. Though there is only one Word, there are virtually thousands of splinter groups, and each of these groups hold one part of the Word over another.

As each of these groups promote their system over all the others, you and I as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, must go directly to the Word of God for our direction. Many of those religious systems have been turned over to men and are following traditions that have replaced what God's Word teaches. As we study, we should have the proper tools for getting back into the true meanings of the Word of God, as the Prophets wrote it in the first place. Part of those tools are study guides such as the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance that is numbered to the Hebrew and Chaldee, and Greek Dictionaries, allowing us to take our King James version back into the original manuscripts for meanings.

Also very helpful is the "Companion Bible", which is intended to be a Companion to the Text; and on the whole is designed as the Companion to all of the Word of God. It is not a New Translation; nor is it an Amended Translation; nor is it a Commentary, but it is the Authorized Version of 1611 King James, which gives us in its Marginal Notes and the important readings from Dr. C. D. Ginsburg's "Massoretico-Critical Text". It also give us the highlights from other scholars, and the Revisers' of the Greek text. In its 198 Appendixes there are complete explanations of all matters dealing with the bringing of the Massorah text into the English which gives understanding to the English reader.

There are many other tools of study that can be obtained to help the Bible student gain understanding, such as Smith's Bible Teachers Dictionary, and so on, but it is up to you to spend the time to make sure that there is no division in your thought as to what our Lord had to say in His Word. When we ask for God's help, the Holy Spirit will direct us to the understanding of the truths. Become well founded from the Word of God, and learn to trust in His Word. When you come to that understanding, then you have "the seal of God" spoken of in Revelation 9:4, that protects you when Satan is here on earth in his role as the "instead of Christ" [the false-christ or spurious messiah], and you will not be taken by him through his deception.

Revelation 9:4 "And it was commanded them [Satan and his fallen angels] that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads."

The "Seal of God" is what is written in His holy Word, and that includes all of it. Your brain is in your forehead, and it is your mind that functions through that brain. It is what you know to be true and have placed faith in, that causes you to do what you do. If you think that the first christ to come is Jesus, then you will give yourself over to Satan, thinking he is Christ. However, when you know that the first christ comes on the sixth trumpet, then you know that something is wrong. God has told us in His Word that the True Christ, Jesus Christ comes on the seventh trumpet, so that when you see him while in your flesh body, you will not be deceived by Satan when he shows up and claims to be Christ. You'll know he is a fake. This is what is meant by having "the seal of God in their foreheads". It means that you can't be taken in by any lies and deceptions because you know the events of the days you live in, and what shall happen before this earth age ends.

I Corinthians 1:11 "For it hath been declared unto me of you, by brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you."

These "contentions" that are amongst them, means that there is trouble brewing between the different groups. The word "Chloe" in the Greek means "green herbs", and there is no record as to where this house of Chloe is, or what went on there in Paul's day. However, what is important is that there was trouble coming up in one of the churches that Paul established, and that is contention is bothering to Paul. When Paul established a church, he acted as the father of that church and all members of that church were one of Paul's children. Though Paul spoke boldly and disciplined them severely, he still loved them very much.

I Corinthians 1:12 "Now this I say, that every one of you saith, "I am of Paul", and "I am of Apollos"; and "I am of Cephas"; and "I am of Christ"."

Paul is saying that he has heard those things that every one in this church at Corinth is saying; "I am of Paul", "I am of Apollos"; "I am of Cephas [Peter]"; or "I am of Christ". Each person has made their own commitment to one of these divisions, and Paul doesn't like what he is hearing. These were the four divisions that are in the church. Now Paul is approaching what we call denominationalism, so pay attention and listen to what he says about it.

I Corinthians 1:13 "Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?"

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Paul is saying; "I am not the one that was crucified for you." "I am not the one that you are baptized in under my name." Paul is telling them to wake up and use their heads. Jesus Christ is the one that paid the price and it is in His name that you are saved in and baptized in. It is in Christ only that you are baptized, and all that would hear the Word and believe in His name are baptized in Jesus name only. Don't try to take anything away from His sacrifice on the cross that was given for you.

I Corinthians 1:14 "I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;"

I Corinthians 1:15 "Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name."

Paul is being very strong about these divisions that are going on. This is where denominationalism is creeping in, and systems are forming that will take control over the house of God.

I Corinthians 1:16 "And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other."

Paul is saying that these three I know I baptized, but any others I just can't remember whether I baptized them or not. However one thing is sure, Paul never baptized in any name except in the Name of Jesus Christ.

I Corinthians 1:17 "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."

Paul is laying it right on the line; he is saying Christ did not send me out to baptize anyone, not to be some great orator to reveal my great speaking skills. The only thing that mattered to Paul is that those that heard the Word of God understood God's Word, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. Paul is saying I am a little bit on the crude side, and I didn't come to you with eloquent speech, but I came to open your eyes to the truth.

I Corinthians 1:18 "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us that are saved it is the power of God."

Paul is reminding those in Corinth and to us today that if you think the preaching of the cross is foolishness, then you are going to perish in hell fire. But the preaching of the cross is to those that by faith receive the Lord Jesus Christ into their heart, through the repentance of their sins to the Father, in Jesus name; it then becomes the power of God unto salvation. It is the power of God that through every promise that is in His Word, you and I as sons of God can claim as part of our inheritance. That is the freedom that we have in Christ. That freedom we have in Christ is here and now.

Our power and authority comes from the fact that on the cross at Christ's death, sin was defeated for all time. That death of Christ on the cross is what gives us hope and the security that we have eternal life. Jesus Christ paid the only price that could be paid for sinful man on the face of this earth, and it was with his blood on the cross. It was no accident that this happened, that Judas betrayed Christ and later repented, for every detail of Jesus trial and death, to His resurrection and His ascension into heaven was prophesied throughout the entire Word of God. Isaiah tells us: {It's all there in the Old Testament. you just have to read it,}

Isaiah 53:6 "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all."

When Christ was hauled away, and tried, all over his disciples headed out the gate and to their own ways.

Isaiah 53:7 "He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth."

This prophecy took place at Christ's trial, and this record of his death on the cross was written hundreds of years prior to the birth of Jesus Christ, and it happened exactly as it was written.

Isaiah 53:8 "He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare His generation: for He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of My people was He stricken."

Friend, this is why Jesus when to the cross, "for the transgression of My people was He stricken." If you take what is written here by faith, and accept the blood of Christ as the price paid for your sins, Then my friend, you are saved. If you do not, you are not. There is no middle ground. When you ask God to forgive you for your sins in Jesus name, by stating "in Jesus name", you are identifying the fact that you accept His blood as the payment for your sins. That is your only credential before the throne of God, for without Jesus name, there is no forgiveness before our heavenly Father.

This is why Paul states that the cross of Christ is the only gospel that he shall ever preach, for without the cross of Christ everything else is made of no effect, absolutely none. This is our security that we have eternal life, for Jesus fulfilled all prophecy of the coming Messiah when paid the price of one and all times. Jesus Christ's blood is the only perfect sacrifice that could ever be shed on this earth, and that includes any animal of sacrifice. All of our power on this earth comes from this because "death" was defeated, and Satan is "death".

Hebrews 2:14 "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death that is, the devil;"

Just as all mankind lives in these flesh and blood bodies, Jesus Christ also partook of the flesh and blood body just as you and I do. He saw the same passions of emotion, of hurt and pleasure, and He underwent the same temptations that each of us have. Then after living His life in the flesh, He willingly went to the cross, for through His death Christ destroyed all of the power that the fear of death had on mankind. Paul lets us know without a doubt that death is another name for Satan, who is the devil, the serpent and all the other roles of deceiving that he has done. There is only one cross that gives this power and authority that is spoken of here.

I Corinthians 1:19 "For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."

When Paul spoke these words, he is quoting from Isaiah 29:14; "Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this People, even a marvelous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid."

When Paul states "It is written", it is important that you know our heavenly Father's Word enough to document it.

I Corinthians 1:20 "Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?"

This is a question from Paul to you and I even living today. Where is the wise, and who are the scribes? If you are going to pick someone to head your church and follow their system, then where does your sense of evaluating those leaders come come from? How can you tell just who is wise from those that are foolish? Those that seek after the wisdom of this world are even blinded by their own foolish thoughts. Sometimes street smarts is good to have to survive in the neighborhood that you live in, but the wisdom that allows you to survive eternally comes only from God.

In these final days there is a "election" of people [God's elect] that God set aside that would know the truth and wisdom of His Word, and when the entire world goes bananas chasing after Satan in his role of "the instead of Christ" [the false-christ], God's elect shall not. Those that are deceived, as well as the many that are blinded for their own protection shall be taught in the Millennium age.

Romans 11:7 "What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded" (continues into the next verse)

Romans 11:8 "(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day."

This again is a quote from Isaiah 29:10. The words spoken in the New Testament are reminders as to what the scribes and prophets spoke in the Old Testament.

Romans 11:9 "And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and a recompense unto them:"

This comes from Psalm 69:22 where David is writing of the crucifixion of Christ.

Psalm 69:22 "Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap."

Their table is where they get their food, and the Word of God is where you get your spiritual food. If that spiritual food is nothing but traditions like the rapture theory, and other false doctrines, then their own traditions will become the snare that will trap them. It they are looking for the first christ to come, then when one comes first with supernatural powers, and imitates their impression of what the True Christ should be, then they will accept the false christ as the True Christ.

Psalm 69:23 "Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; And make their loins continually to shake."

Their eyes are darkened because by what they are taught to be true, only it is a lie. They see not because they just don't care to read and study God's Word for the truth, to know the entire plan of God.

Psalm 69:24 "Pour out thine indignation upon them, And let Thy wrathful anger take hold of them."

God's anger will be poured out upon them at the seventh trumpet, when Jesus Christ returns to pour out His indignation upon the entire earth, except for His elect. They are those with the truth of His Word in their minds so that they were not deceived by Satan and his system.

Romans 11:10 "Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway."

The scribe is the one that takes what the law and the prophets said, and put it into the words that you and I can understand for our day. Are the scribes you listen to telling you what the Word of God says, or are they whispering sweet nothings in your ear. You pay the tithe, and they in turn tell you what makes you feel good all over? Do you know what the prophets wrote to you, and warned you of, or are you ignorant of those things? It is important what you read and believe in your mind, for what you will accept or reject in the latter days is based completely on what you believe to be true. If your eyes can't see the truth, you will believe a lie "and bow down your back alway" to man's traditions.

Our wisdom comes from His Word, for our Heavenly Father is our chief counselor for when we listen to His Spirit from the Word and follow those instructions. Then we will be a lot better off.

I Corinthians 1:21 "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe."

In other words, the preaching of the cross from the entire Word of God is counted as foolishness to those that consider themselves wise in the ways of the world. In fact today many make sport of those that teach the entire Word of God. They are ridiculed and made fun of before the public, when there is even one little slip up by these dedicated teachers, the world is ready to jump on them and make them an example. These same persons in turn think nothing of allowing murders to run free, and protect all sorts of wickedness even in the schools and churches. This is exactly as it was in the days of Paul, and it is no different today. Those with eyes to see will see, and those with darkened eyes will go right on chasing after foolishness.

The problem is that those teaching and preaching the cross do not teach the forgiveness and perfection that we have which comes through the cross, and the shed blood of Christ. But they teach a perfection that is expected from those that claim the blood of Christ, and they do not allow for the falling or sinning that will come to those Christians afterward. They do not see the repentance that comes when one comes back to the Father in Jesus name, and are made right again. Friend, there is no perfection in flesh man ever and it doesn't matter what position or title that you have attached to your name. All mankind falls short of God's perfection, and thus each of us needs to repent when we do not meet God's perfection.

Praise be to God, the greatest gift that God sent to earth was His Son, Jesus Christ. When you sin, God heals us when we come to the cross and ask forgiveness. When one falls we do not through him or her out to the wolves of this world, but we stick together in the love that Christ had for each of his own. Our perfection is not in any part of this world, but in Christ.

I Corinthians 1:22 "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:"

When the Kenites and religious leaders of Judea sought a sign from Christ, He gave them only one sign.

Matthew 12:38 "Then certain of the scribes and the Pharisees answered, saying, "Master, we would see a sign from thee."

Remember that the position of the scribes had been taken over by the Kenites way back in Babylon, many centuries before. I Chronicles 2:55; "And the families of the scribes which dwelt at Jabez [Jerusalem]; the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, and Suchathites. These are the Kenites that came of Hamath, the father of the house of Rechab."

The Kenites are the offspring of Cain, the son that was born to the sexual union between Satan in the role of deceiver, and Eve. The Kenites are not of God, nor are they from any part of our brother Judah, nor Israel. Thy are of the "house of Rechab", an offspring in the lineage of Cain. These are the ones that tried to temp Jesus and ask Him for a sign, when they had blindly watched many miracles that Jesus had done right before their blind eyes. The conflict between Jesus and the Kenites was prophesied way back in Genesis 3:15, and lets review it for a moment.

Genesis 3:15 "And I [God] will put enmity between thee [Satan] and the woman [Eve], and between thy [Satan's] seed [the Kenites] and her Seed [Jesus Christ]. It [Jesus Christ] shall bruise thy [Satan's] head, and thou [the Kenites[ shall bruise His [Christ's] heel."

This was prophesied way back in the Garden of Eden, at the time just after Satan in the role of the Serpent wholly seduced sexually the wife of Adam. Cain had not been born yet however from that sexual union came the first murderer, Satan's son Cain. This is the truth that is being kept secret from the Christian churches today, for it is the offspring of these same Kenites that became the scribes of the House of Judah coming out of Babylon, and they are the ones leading the church systems of today into the Babylon of the end times. This is nothing new to those with eyes to see, but it is hidden to those that are blinded to the truth, because they have come to accept the traditions of men blindly. Jesus was speaking to these Kenite scribes and Pharisees here in Matthew that are seeking a sign from Him.

Matthew 12:39 "But He answered and said unto them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:"

Matthew 12:40 "For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."

Jesus was in the tomb for three days and at the end of those three days, he came out of the tomb in His resurrection. The Kenites did not receive or believe Christ then, and they will not receive Him today either. He was on the earth for forty days after the resurrection and seen of many men and women. He spoke to His disciples and followers on the fortieth day, and then we read in Acts 1:9 "And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight."

These followers waited ten days in Jerusalem as Jesus told them, and then on Pentecost day the church was formed.

Acts 2:1 "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place."

Acts 2:2 "And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting."

Acts 2:3 "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them."

One thing was evident of this tongue that was spoken on that day. When it was spoken, each of the Jews that were in Jerusalem for this day of Pentecost celebration from all over the world heard the words that were spoken in the language and dialect of his own neighborhood back home. There was no need of an interpreter for the Holy Spirit gave the understanding without the means of an interpreter. There was no confusion to those words spoken, and it did not sound like some foreign language, all mixed up like someone calling the turkeys.

When Paul later spoke of another "speaking in tongues". The tongues spoken of then was in the light of someone going into a church where there were people that spoke different languages. He said when this occurs, then let there be no more than two languages spoken, and when there is a foreign tongue spoken, let there be an interpreter for those that do not speak the language. If you go to another country to preach, either learn to speak fluently that foreign language, or have a interpreter with you that does speak the language. If you don't the people won't even know when to say "yea or nay, or when to say Amen".

Acts 2:4 "And there were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with another tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

Back in Corinthians, Paul refers to the "wisdom of the Greeks". That wisdom is what is called "reason" today. It is saying that before something to be true, man has to be able to reason it through and come to an understanding through his own mental capacity. Reason demands you to know the complete details and have witnessed it for yourself. Where as faith acts without complete knowledge. Faith requires one to act with confidence on those things that you believe to be true. We act on the Word of God because God said it, and that is all that is necessary.

I Corinthians 1:23 "But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness;"

Paul is saying what we preach is that Jesus Christ was crucified, and rose from the dead. This entire idea is the stumbling block to the Jews, for it went against their traditional thought, as well as the area of reason that the Greeks demanded. The cross of Christ was beyond any comprehension of either of these people.

Don't read over this thought. Paul said, "We preach Christ crucified." When you teach and preach Christ crucified you must include the When, What, Where, and Why the crucifixion and resurrection took place. The Kenites crucified Christ; they crucified Christ because He was the Son of God and they are the sons of Satan: This was their father's attempt to destroy Jesus the Messiah, but in so doing they brought about Satan's and their own destruction. This crucifixion took place in Jerusalem, the same place where it was foretold from the prophets of old that it would take place.

We know from the Book of Daniel in the ninth chapter that it was to the day, the exact time that Almighty God said that it would take place. That time was dated back to the very day that the command by Artaxerxes to Nehemiah was given by God to go back and rebuild the city, the streets and the walls of Jerusalem.

Daniel 9:25 "Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times."

This commandment was given in troublous times, as recorded in Nehemiah 2:1-9, and the date we know today as 444 B.C. We know the date that Jesus died on the cross as being the day before Passover, in the year 33 A.D. When we use the Jewish calendar of 360 days, and brake the days into 483 years, we have a time period of 173,880 days from the time and date of the command. Then using the Solar calendar days we find that there is seven years and 25 days difference. Adjusting for the fact that there was no one A.D. or one B.C., this takes us right up to the day spoken of in Matthew 21: 8-9.

Matthew 21:8 "And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way."

Matthew 21:9 "And the Multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is He That cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest."

This is the only time that Jesus has been recognized by the Jewish people as being the True Son of God, the "Son [Seed] of David, and blessed of God. "Hosanna" in the Hebrew Aramaic tongue is "Hoshi' an-na' " and it means "Save now". The Jews were completely ignorant of the Word of God, and when they come to believe that Jesus was the true Messiah, they wanted to be saved from the Roman rule right now.

So from the time that God told Nehemiah through king Artaxerxes to return and rebuild the streets and walls of Jerusalem, to the time when Jesus Christ would be declared the Messiah would be sixty nine weeks of years. That is the seventy weeks of years with one week missing. The week that is missing here is the prophesied seven years of the great tribulation or deceptions that is coming upon us today.

Daniel 9:26 "And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined."

Jesus was cut off from the living at the cross, but not for His sins. He was cut off or killed as a sacrifice for the sins of you and I and all those with eyes to see and ears to hear and believe in His Word. The flood that shall come is the the flood of lies and deceiving that shall cover the entire earth by Satan during that last seven year period of that seventy weeks of years. Of course Jesus told us in Revelation 9:5, 10 that this period had been shortened to five months for the elect's sake.

That war that takes place is a spiritual battle and the battlefield that it is on, is in your mind. That is why you must be sealed in your mind of all of God's Word if you are to stand when that flood of lies comes upon us. This is why Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:10-20 that we must have all of our spiritual armor on and in place for that final battle, or you will be blown away by the flood that comes on the entire earth. This then is the gospel of Christ that must be preached, and it is the only gospel that Paul did preach.

Jesus was our Passover Lamb, and today churches argue over what water we should be baptized in, and what words should be spoken when baptism takes place. Some would say "Jesus only", while other say, "In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost"; and they just don't know that when they say the name Jesus, which is to say the name "iesous, ee-ay'-ooce' in the Greek; and in the Hebrew tongue # 3091, "Yehowshuwa, yeh-ho-shoo-ah'" This is where the name Jehovah, and Joshua comes from and it includes the Father and the Son, which also includes the Spirit of God. In short when you say Jesus, you are including the other offices of the God head. John 14 tells us that were ever the Father and Son are the Spirit is there also.

I Corinthians 1:24 "But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God."

When your eyes are opened to the Truths from God's Word it doesn't matter whether you are from Judah, or Greek of any other race, God will give you the Power of God, and the wisdom that only comes from His Word. The Word Jews as used here is number #2453 in the Greek dictionary; "Ioudaios, ee-oo-dah'-yos; a resident from the country of Judah." They include both brother Judah and the Kenites, and if a Kenite comes to have faith in Jesus and believes on His name in repentance, then this power of God and the wisdom of God is offered to him or her also.

I Corinthians 1:25 "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men."

When you consider the most foolishness that is possible of God, it far exceeds the wisdom of the wisest of men in this flesh body. There is just no comparison between the wisdom and strength of God to any man or created being. It is even foolish to consider such a thing.

I Corinthians 1:26 "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:"

This refers to those men and women that God has actually called, and this is not referring to the play acting that goes on in many revival services today. When Jesus calls you there is no mistake of your calling. God chooses whom He will to do the task that is to be done. Remember that most of the apostles were chosen from their common tasks as a laborer for their living. Even Peter was just a fisherman, and when Jesus called him, and all that Jesus said was "follow Me".

Matthew 4:18 "And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers."

Matthew 4:19 "And He saith unto them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Many of the disciples were not great scholars, but fishermen working out under the hot sun and mending their nets when Jesus called them into service. Jesus can use the ordinary man and woman that is committed to Him, and the Holy Spirit touches them and brings them forth to where they can teach the Word of God. Though some of the disciples were not will educated, Paul of course was a true scholar in the Manuscripts of the Prophets, and in the Law. This is why most of What Paul says is tied directly to the Old Testament, for the two are linked together tightly.

Leadership is necessary, but the common flock are the ones that usually get the job done.

I Corinthians 1:27 "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;"

God has chosen the things that seem to be foolish to this world age, to confound those that think they are wise in the ways of the world. It is hard for those that are deep in the ways of the world to understand how a Christian can be so stable and self confident in what he does, when the world around him or her is falling apart. When God's Word changes the life a person, it changes their mind and character also.

I Corinthians 1:28 "And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:"

The "base things", which is to say the "small things" of this world that are counted as nothing to the men of the world, are the very things that God will use to bring them down. Speaking in a spiritual sense, in comparing the men of the world to the elect of God there is no contest, for God will give the power to His elect, whereas that power is not available to those seeking the world's ways.

When God chooses you for a task and you do that task well, it is not for you to boast in any manner for it is God that gave you the ability to get the job done. What has to be done in this age of the flesh, God uses flesh men and women to do those tasks. When He calls you He also gives you the strength and the ability. He expects you to see it to the end, and that is why it is God that gets the glory. Our only honor comes from the fact that God thought us worthy enough to do that task for him.. All gifts that come are given from God.

I Corinthians 1:30 "But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:"

Paul is saying here that God's wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption are not foolishness to us who are of God; but to those that are of the world, each of these things are foolish. We know that these things are essential to eternal life; it is through the redemption that we have sanctification that clothes us in Christ's righteousness, and gives us the wisdom that only comes from God's Word. All four of these conditions are tied together and they all come from God. It isn't foolishness to us that believe that Christ rose from the dead, and in Christ we have victory over death and over Satan.

Through Christ's righteousness, we are sanctified and made whole again, and redeemed to be part of this many membered body of Christ. Then God blesses us.

I Corinthians 1:31 "That, according as it is written, "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

Jeremiah 9:23 "Thus saith the Lord, 'Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:"

Jeremiah 9:24 "But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord Which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord."

God through His Apostles brings the Old Testament up and makes it part of the New Testament, by confirming the very words that our Heavenly Father spoke through the prophets of old. There is only one way that you can understand the thoughts that were in the mind of Paul, and that is to go to that passage and read those points that Paul is using in His teaching.