As we continue studying 1 Corinthians 12:12–31, in verse 28 Paul puts the gifts of the Spirit in an order appointed by God. FIRST – Apostles SECOND – Prophets THIRD – Teachers Then, workers of miracles, gifts of healing, help others, administration, speaking in tongues. If you’re reading that thinking “Time out,Continue reading “What does the Apostle Paul mean when he says there are “greater” gifts – 1 Corinthians 12:12–31, Part 4″
Tag Archives: ecclesiology
Question-asking and kissing in the church – 1 Thessalonians 5:13–15, 26, Part 6
In our final post this week, Paul describes peace with each other in a church family like this in 1 Thessalonians verses 14-15, “encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and forContinue reading “Question-asking and kissing in the church – 1 Thessalonians 5:13–15, 26, Part 6”
We are to warn disruptive people in a church family – 1 Thessalonians 5:13–15, 26, Part 5
What living at peace with each other in a church family assumes that there should only be a very, very few non-negotiables in the church family. Non-negotiables? Let me explain what I mean by that. Have you ever heard the phrase, “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things love.”? There are three levelsContinue reading “We are to warn disruptive people in a church family – 1 Thessalonians 5:13–15, 26, Part 5”
Christians have been discipled by outrage culture – 1 Thessalonians 5:13–15, 26, Part 4
It is simply human nature that the people in a church family will not always agree with one another. Hear what Paul has to say about that in 1 Thessalonians 5, verses 14–15, “And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient withContinue reading “Christians have been discipled by outrage culture – 1 Thessalonians 5:13–15, 26, Part 4”
Church family peace requires small groups – 1 Thessalonians 5:13–15, 26, Part 3
What we see is that in early church’s practice of living together, in their sacrificial generosity, they had unity. And that ties directly to the phrase in 1 Thessalonians 5:13, I skipped over in the previous posts. In those previous posts I emphasized “live…with each other.” Paul says, “Live in peace with each other.” Peace. InContinue reading “Church family peace requires small groups – 1 Thessalonians 5:13–15, 26, Part 3”
Christians are to “live…with each other” – 1 Thessalonians 5:13–15, 26, Part 2
Have you ever heard of the Ephrata Cloister? The Cloister was a group of Christians who practiced communal living from 1732–1934. They viewed themselves as a kind of monastic (celibate) community, with noncelibate “householders.” Because I live about 20 minutes from the Cloister, I have toured it, and I find it an eerie experience, cult-like.Continue reading “Christians are to “live…with each other” – 1 Thessalonians 5:13–15, 26, Part 2″
How do you handle yourself when you disagree with someone? – 1 Thessalonians 5:13–15, 26, Part 1
This past week, there was an awkward moment during class discussion in a Bible class I teach for a local Christian college. We were discussing Hebrews 10:25 which says “Let us not give up meeting together.” That verse teaches Christians to be committed to gathering together regularly and consistently. I asked the students if theContinue reading “How do you handle yourself when you disagree with someone? – 1 Thessalonians 5:13–15, 26, Part 1”
People rarely leave churches for good reasons – 1 Thessalonians 5:13–15, 26, Preview
A ministerium pastor recently told me about a situation in his congregation ten years prior. He was not the pastor at the time. Here’s what happened. At a church business meeting, someone proposed they fire the youth director due to lack of funds. The congregation voted for that, effectively firing the fellow on the spot. ChurchContinue reading “People rarely leave churches for good reasons – 1 Thessalonians 5:13–15, 26, Preview”
How to evaluate your pastor – 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13, Part 5
Editor’s Note: This week we welcome guest blogger, Emily Marks. Emily is an adult & community educator. She and her husband Sean live in Lancaster, PA, with their dog Corvus. Emily grew up as a pastor’s kid, and therefore she brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to this week’s passage. When weContinue reading “How to evaluate your pastor – 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13, Part 5”
How to have radical love for your church leaders – 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13, Part 3
Editor’s Note: This week we welcome guest blogger, Emily Marks. Emily is an adult & community educator. She and her husband Sean live in Lancaster, PA, with their dog Corvus. Emily grew up as a pastor’s kid, and therefore she brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to this week’s passage. As youContinue reading “How to have radical love for your church leaders – 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13, Part 3”
Engaging Scripture 