Lesson 12 for September 19, 2015

Depending on culture: Jews and Gentiles. Using comparison: Athletes and soldiers. The Law of God. Death and resurrection. Paul’s co-workers. Paul always adapted his message to the variety of audiences he faced. How could teach the same eternal truth to different cultures, races and religions? Teaching universal truths: Working as a team: He used several teaching methods:

“For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom.” (1 Corinthians 1:22) “For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom.” (1 Corinthians 1:22) JEWS Need They believed that a divine messenger would show signs and miracles like Moses did in Egypt (John 6:30). Message He preached about the history of Israel. He introduced Jesus as a descendant of David and told them about His miracles, death and resurrection. GENTILES Need They needed a rational foundation for their beliefs. Message He used their own writings to introduce them God as Creator, Helper and Judge. Then He introduced Jesus as our Redeemer.

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25) Paul used familiar examples to teach eternal truths.  Athletes run to reach the goal at the stadium. Thus believers must live in order to reach the goal: eternal life.  Wrestlers follow a strict temperance life to reach their crown. Believers must live according to the divine will to reach their crown.

Roman soldiers were scattered through the Roman Empire. Paul used their lifestyle as an example for believers.  Every soldier is willing to suffer and to obey the orders of those who enrolled him. Believers must be faithful servants of God; they must please Jesus who enrolled them to His Kingdom.  Paul also used the armor of the soldier as an example of the weapons of the Christian. For example, in Ephesians 6:10-18: faith, justice, truth…

“Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.” (Romans 3:31 NIV) Paul used the term “law” in several ways in his letters. For example, he wrote about the “law of God”, the “law of Moses” (1Co. 9:9) and the “law of sin.” (Ro. 7:25). Sometimes he seemed to contradict himself: He was “under law” (1Co. 9:21) but “delivered from the law.” (Ro. 7:6). The Jews needed to understand the difference between the unchanging and eternal Law of God which all human beings must fulfill, and the laws that applied only to the people of Israel as a nation. The Gentiles shouldn’t be forced to obey the ceremonial or racial laws (like circumcision), but they needed to understand the importance of obeying the Law of God. For that reason, Paul referenced the observance of the Commandments several times (Ro. 13:8-10; 1Co. 7:19; Eph. 4:28; Eph. 6:2).

“who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:16) The doctrine of the immortality of the soul cannot be based in the Scripture. The Bible clearly states that people cease to exist when dying (Eccl. 9:5; Ps. 115:17) and that God is the only immortal One (1Tim. 6:16). Immortality is reserved to the saved ones in the day of resurrection, when “this mortal must put on immortality.” (1Co. 15:53). Since death affects everyone (Heb. 9:27), it’s very important for us to understand death as sleep. Paul repeatedly referred to the death as those who “sleep” (1Ts. 4:13; 1Co. 11:30; 1Co. 15:6).

“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14) There would be no salvation without resurrection: “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.” (1Co. 15:17-18). Paul taught that Jesus died and remained in the grave until His resurrection, just like it’s written in the rest of the Scriptures. Likewise, we’ll remain in the grave once we die until our resurrection. “But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.” (1Co. 15:23). The resurrection of Jesus and the resurrection of the believers is part of our faith.

Paul didn’t work alone. Several Paul’s co-workers are mentioned in the Bible: Barnabas, Judas Barsabbas, Silas, John Mark, Timothy, Erastus, Tychicus, Aristarchus, Jesus Justus, Demas and Luke. It doesn’t matter how many gifts a person has; he cannot work alone in God’s mission. Our mission is teamwork. Difficulties may arise within the team sometimes. For example, Demas left Paul when he needed the most (2Tim. 4:10). After a serious discussion, Barnabas and John Mark left Paul and worked in another place (Acts 15:36-41). Nevertheless, that was not a permanent discord. Reconciliation is always possible when a forgiving spirit works in us.

“Who can measure the results to the world of Paul’s lifework? Of all those beneficent influences that alleviate suffering, that comfort sorrow, that restrain evil, that uplift life from the selfish and the sensual, and glorify it with the hope of immortality, how much is due to the labors of Paul and his fellow workers, as with the gospel of the Son of God they made their unnoticed journey from Asia to the shores of Europe? What is it worth to any life to have been God’s instrument in setting in motion such influences of blessing? What will it be worth in eternity to witness the results of such a lifework?” E.G.W. (Education, cp. 7, pg. 63)