Look at the Phenomena within the Church from the Book of Corinthians and the ways in which Paul deals with them
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The Corinthian church in the Bible is a church which is often mentioned as a warning today.
Through the letters which Paul wrote to this church, we can not help but wonder why a spiritual church like the one in
1. This church had received the most gifts compared with the other churches at that time. (I Cor. 1:4-8)
a). A church which has more gifts or blessings is not necessarily a good church. This also
applies to church workers.
b). What this church lacked was a unified heart. Unity does not only mean that the members should be physically alike, as packs of cans, but they should possess all kinds of gifts which can complement one another, and they should aim to benefit and build up the church by coordinating with one another. (I Cor. 1:10; also chapter 12 and 14)
c). If the element of “love” is not in the formula, then all the gifts are in vain.(I Cor. 13)
d). One does not just wait passively for the spiritual gifts to be bestowed by God. There are
two type of gifts:
1).Uncommon/rare gift: God gives such a gift to a person according to His own will.
However, for the sake of building up the church, one can ask and pursue a needed gift fromGod.(
(I Cor. 12:11-18;
2).Common Gift: It is not given by God automatically, but is only given through the diligent prayer of a person, such as Love. (I Cor. 12:31; 14:1)
Therefore, each part of the body: -- every member of the church needs two kinds of gifts,
namely uncommon gifts and love.
Uncommon love is not something which once you have it, it will be with you always.
i.e. In the case where a person interprets the tongue, it will not the same person who
interprets it every time.(I Cor.
seemingly randomly.
Sometimes no one can interpret the tongue, but at other times, many people can interpret
it at the same time, or prophesy and preach at the same time.
However, the people who receive the gifts should use them in an orderly manner, such as
speaking orderly at a meeting; or 2 or 3 people taking turns to speak. (I Cor. 14:26-33)
Although people can be moved by the Holy Spirit, however this is not an excuse for things
to be out of the order.
2. Some from Chloe’s household have informed me that…. (I Cor. 1:11)
Paul had openly disclosed the source of his informant regarding one of the church
problems, which action inevitably might have two possible results :
a). Chloe’s household liked to spread gossip, they liked to judge others, even the church.
b). Paul should not release such sensitive information to the public.
In fact, “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed.”(Lk. 12:2). ‘lack of clarity’
will only allow the evil one to work more easily.
From a different perspective, in Paul’s view, it showed Chloe’s love toward the church of
beyond their ability to resolve, therefore asking Paul for assistance. Paul released the
name of the informant, so that the church members might understand Chloe’s love toward
them. “Clarity” could clear up a lot of suspicion among members. The result of suspicion
is that everyone is suspected.
To show that a person loves the church and her members, he/she should present any matter
which he alone can not deal with( rather than going around everywhere telling others
about it), to the members, honestly asking for their help and/or care and concern.
(Matt. 18:15-17) And the church should accept with love the truth of the facts.
3. One reason why the members in the church of Corinth members could not get along with one another was because they looked highly upon certain divine workers and less highly upon others.(I Cor. 1:12; 4:6; chapter 3 & 4)
Amongst Jesus’ disciples there were some whom He love more.(John 11:4;
It is a fact that some people do have favourite workers, because they can associate with the
workers more easily. It would be unrealistic to say that we treat everyone equally, and this
is also the case according to the events recorded in the Bible. “Love” does differ in degree.
(John 15:13)
Although the love among brethren is different from the love between a member and a
church worker, this ”be devoted to the one and despise the other.” should not be allowed.(Matt.
That was Jesus who died for us on the cross and not just any other worker. Therefore, we
should not love divine workers more than we love Jesus. And one of the ways to love our Lord is that the members should respect and unite with one another. (I Cor.
4. Paul’s gospel despised due to lack of wisdom (I Cor.
“If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool”
so that he may become wise”. In other words, if we want the wisdom of God, we need to give up human wisdom first. Paul himself spoke of the message of God’s secret wisdom among the mature.(I Cor.3:18; 2:6-7) Men become proud and arrogant, because they have already despised God’s wisdom first(I Cor. 2:8).
Today many people’s attitude toward theology is no different from the people in the
They relied solely on the human mind and intelligence in trying to express spiritual truth.
(I Cor. 2:12-13)
Many “spiritual meanings” might not be the direct revelation of the Holy Spirit. However,
it is impossible to find out the truth, using human intelligence alone. Because the true meaning of God’s words can only be found through the will of the Holy Spirit revealed to us.
Many instances of “speaking in tongue” have nothing to do with the Holy Spirit. But we can not find the Holy Spirit amongst those who cannot speak in tongue. Though this is not an easy way, it is however the right way.
The wisdom of a wise man is different from the wisdom of God, which differences come from the source of wisdom and its substance, not from the ways expressed by men(i.e. direct, deductive, inference, etc.) (James 3:13-18; I Cor. 2:6-13). For example, the logic
in our understanding that “God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.”(Rms. 1:20) is the same as : “Through the fossils, we know all things come through revolution.” The process of our understanding is the same (deductive, inductive, inference, etc.).
However, the substance and the requirements for wisdom are completely different. The end of inference is the beginning of our faith. Our faith will allow us to reach beyond the power of inference. Through faith, we will be amazed by the wonder of God.( I Cor. 2:9) “This is what we speak, not in words, taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by
the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.(or , expressing spiritual truths to a spiritual person)”(I Cor. 2:13) The mystery of God will be proclaimed to some spiritual men (they need to be inspired by the spirit first), then taught to all spiritual people (to those who are willing to trust and rely on God) to enable them to understand.
“Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is God concerned about oxen ? Surely He says this about us ? Yes, this was written for us. (I Cor. 9:9-10)
This is a typical example of expressing spiritual truth in spiritual words. The “truth” is not only words, it is power and authority.
A proud and arrogant attitude comes from the lack of a heart which respects the father. Such a person tries so hard to boast about their knowledge, that listeners can only hear men’s voices, and not the gospel (I Cor.8:1; 4:14-15). On the contrary, Paul asserted the gospel, as being of God’s power, not with wise and persuasive words.
Therefore, he said :”for in Christ Jesus I became your father through gospel.”
(I Cor. 2:4-5;
5. Issues regarding Adultery (5:1-2)and the Yeast (5:6-8)
A man has his father’s wife. Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah,
and
The only excuse might be that by the grace of God, he was already not under the control of
the Laws. (I Cor. 7:39; Rms. 7:1-3) He might proudly reason with himself that this man only married a widow.(I Cor.
Knowledge without love, even though it is the right knowledge, will make a person fall. (8:1-13) “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful natures; rather, serve one another in love.”(Gal. 5:13)
The church has to rid itself of the yeast (in this context, meaning the adulterer). When
observing the Holy Communion, we not only need one piece of unleavened bread, but the heart every member should be free of all malice and evil (I Cor.
6. Lawsuits Among Believers (I Cor. 6:1-8)
“If any of you has a dispute with another”, the dispute here being caused by the wrong
doings and unrighteousness among members. The principle of handling such a case is: do
not take it to the unbelievers.
A true believer should understand his own precious status: “But you are a chosen people, a
royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”(I Peter 2:9)
Therefore, how can we ask for justice from an unjust person ? How can we seek judgement from an outsider? If the saints are to judge this world and the sinful angels (not the devil’s followers who had been thrown into the lake of fire), why can we not judge over such small things? Is there not a wise man in the church? Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?
Paul did not mind other’s judgement.(I Cor. 4:3-4) But he refused to accept slander from
others, and comes to defend himself(II Cor.
For the sake of those spiritual things which Paul never backed away from, he always fought
back. Did he forget his own principle: “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for
God’s wrath, for it is written ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay.’ says the Lord”.(Rms.12:19)
And “The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely
defeated already. ‘Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?’(I Cor.6:7) No,
of course not, after all: “Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who
gives way to the wicked.”(Prov.25:26) We need to ponder over this teaching over and over
again. All who are persecutors, cheaters, slanderers or swindlers are unrighteous, will not
inherit the
7. Marriage (I Cor. 7:1-2; 8-9; 25-28)
Regarding marriage, the basic view of Paul was: “I wish that all men were as I am. But
each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.”(I Cor. 7:7)
In order to prevent sexual immorality, everyone should has his/her own spouse. If one has
the same gift as Paul, do not look for a wife, if you are unmarried.
Strictly speaking, being married or unmarried are a gift from God, everyone does
according to the gift bestowed upon him by the Lord.(I Cor. 7:7)
When choosing church Elders or Deacons, Paul preferred to choose those who “must
manage his own family and children well.”( I Tom. 3:1-13)
8. Relationship between a couple (I Cor. 7:3-5; 33-34; 10-16; 39)
a). Since one of the main functions of marriage is to prevent sexual immorality, husband and wife should not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for prayer. After marriage, a couple not only have to please God, but also need to think of how to please each other.
b). The Lord Jesus told us: A wife should not depart from her husband, but if she does, she
should not be re-married. A husband should not abandon his wife, too.
c). If one partner of the couple is a unbeliever:
If the unbeliever is willing to live with his/her partner, the believer should not abandon the unbeliever. But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances.
9. Food Sacrificed to Idols ( I Cor. 8:1-13;
a). The sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, you can not drink the cup of the Lord
and the cup of demons too. You cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the
table of demons.
It would be the gravest mistake to eat the food, purposely knowing that it has been
offered to idols.
b). Paul wished the believers could receive freedom by the grace of God, and not be bound
only by the foods which we need daily.
c). For food sacrificed to idols, the saints could respond in two kinds of ways :
i). For the food which has been sacrificed to idols, if the food is put in front of us, provided we take it with thanksgiving, and if we do not ask whether it has or has not been offered to idols, then we will not be harmed.
ii). As to the food sacrificed to idols, for the believers whose minds are still not set free
by the truth and their conscience is weak, it will be harmful and even cause
downfall for the believer who takes the food without discerning.
iii). Since the conscience and the faith can not be built in a few days or a few words,
those who have true knowledge should forgive those who do not have the true knowledge.
Do not eat food offered to temples which damages the conscience of the members
lacking the true knowledge and eating the food sacrificed to idols and thereby falling.
iv). One of the principles in the faith is that we do not overestimate the power of the
devil !
For the power of God is much greater than satan’s. Grace is greater than transgressions. Be joyful in life with spiritual freedom, more importantly walk in the way of the Lord always.
To put on Christ, imitate Christ, guard against the devil with our faith, and there will be no need to be afraid of him.(I Peter 5:7-9) Even we have unintentionally eaten the food which has been sacrificed to idols, we can be protected by the Lord and be unharmed.
10. It is proper for workers to have their reward (I Cor. 9:1-15)
a). It is normal that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
b). However, Paul chose the following :”But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast. (I Cor. 9:15-18) This was most likely because the church in
c). The difference between a hired hand and a shepherd is not whether he received his living from the gospel, but rather is he willing to die for the sheep. (for a man’s life is priceless)
A hired worker treats the wages as his livelihood, and the shepherd treats the wages as a privilege so that he could concentrate on serving the Lord and His flock, one as guardian, and the other as a father. (John 10:1-13; Rms.16:18; I Cor. 4:15)
11. The understanding of and attitude toward preaching the Gospel.
(I Cor.9:16-27)
a). Some people could do the divine work “as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.” (II Cor. 9:5) But others cannot, “Yet when I preach the gospel, I can not boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel.”(I Cor.9:16)
Everyone can be the former, but regarding the latter group, it is God’s special
entrustment to a certain person, such as Esther who became a queen. If she did not to
take action, she and her father’s family would perish.(Esther
another example.
b). The purpose of preaching the gospel is to save souls. When you preach to others, you
could be in
c). When you run the race, you should put your stake on a correct direction which is to “please God”. Otherwise, our efforts could be in vain.
d). “I beat my body and make it my slave.”(
12. Warnings from the past when encountering trials. (I Cor. 10:1-14)
a). Though God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But
when you are tempted he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
How can we say: “He will also provide a way out for us.” When so many Israelites died in the wilderness while encountering trials ?
i). “It says: Do not put the Lord your God to the test” (Lk.
ii). “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”(Matt. 6:13) It explains that if the trials were not caused by sins and were the will of God, then God Himself will provide a way out, so that we can stand up under it. Just like Abraham who offered Isaac when he was tested, at the last critical moment, God prepared a lamb for Abraham.(Gen. 22)
b). “Setting hearts on evil things, idol worshipping, committing adultery, testing the Lord
and murmuring against God” are sources of all evil, which we should shun away
from.
c). Without the mercy of God, no one could possibly stand firm. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall and be deceived ! If we boast, we boast for the Lord.
13. The long hair of men and women (I Cor. 11:2-15)
a). “The head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man.” Man is the image and the glory of God. And woman is the glory of man. Man should express the glory of God as woman should demonstrate the glory of man.
b). Man should not cover his head, because he is the image and the glory of God. ‘To cover his head’ does not mean to cover one’s head with a piece of cloth, rather to cover the head with man’s long hair. For a man to use his long hair (to cover his head) is a shameful thing to do. For it will cover the image and the glory of God. Therefore, the cover mentioned by Paul is one’s long hair (men and women alike!), and not a veil.
c). It will be scorned by Paul, if a woman cuts off her hair, and if she prays or prophesies with her head covered with a veil. The woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head.
d). In contrast to a man, the long hair of a woman is her glory and is her cover for the head.
e). Man should not cover his head with long hair, as he is the image and glory of God.
The use of a veil to cover the head is a sign of authority for a woman. Therefore, a woman should not shave her head but have long hair to cover her head.
14. The Divinity of partaking the Holy Communion (I Cor.
a). The material used for Communion : (I Cor.
b). According to Acts of the Apostle, “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad sincere hearts.(Acts.
c). The situation was the same in the Corinthian church. When the members came to the gathering place, they started to eat the unleavened bread and drink the grape juice as his own family meal without waiting for the others. And they even got drunk or over ate, so that those who arrived late had nothing left for them to eat.
d). Paul reminded us of the divinity of the Holy Communion: remember the love of Jesus, the death of Christ, to proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. So we should eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in a worthy manner. Otherwise, we are judgment on ourselves.
e). When we partake the Holy Communion, we are not only enjoying a piece of unleavened bread, rather the yeast of malice and wickedness should also be removed from our hearts.(I Cor. 5:5-8) To be a man without yeast, to partake the unleavened bread.
15. To clarify the concept of “no one can say, Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.”(I Cor. 12:1-3)
a). Some members in the
was why Paul said: “Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of
God says, “Jesus be cursed.” And no one can say, “Jesus is Lord.” Except by the Holy
Spirit.” This means that though there were people with the same name as Jesus,
however there is only one Jesus as testified by the Holy Spirit.
b). Jesus said: ”Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord.’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matt. 7:21-23) Our Lord said: “I never knew you !” These people were calling another Jesus, which had nothing to do with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
16. Complementary Spiritual Gifts (I Cor. 12:1-31)
a). Although the saints came from one Spirit, redeemed by the blood of our Lord to build up the body of Christ, however, everyone has his own gift, just like a body with different parts having different functions.
b). “For by the grace given me, I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage, if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently, if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Rms. 12:3-8)
c). There may be different gifts, but it is only through the mutual respect and close coordination with one another, that the body is able to have various functions and act as one.
d). If all the “members” do not belong to “the body’’, then they are just lifeless members not showing any sign of life. ( Depart from God, and no one can do anything !) Therefore, each member has its own function to perform, and supporting and coordinating with one another. The aim is therefore to work together in unity, in order to demonstrate the mighty power of God. (Ref. II Sam. 11:9-12)
e). Not only are there different gifts, but some members might also be more presentable than others, or more beautiful than others, or some are bigger or smaller than others. Is there then a competition among themselves? (Eve had once tried to compare with God, and fell.) Why does God not bestow us with the same gifts ?
f). Human being are used to suppressing those who are different from him, to attain “unity”,
calling it “walking together with one heart”. Is the whole body an eye? Or an hand? If there is one member or one function, how can it become a “body”? How can it act?
g).We should be grateful and rejoice in the Lord for making us different. Because only when different members with different uses are working or functioning together with a common goal can the body be living and acting!
h). Why is it that of all gifts, “love” is the biggest gift ? Without love, all beautiful and presentable gifts are turned into corruptions which do not benefit us. But let not the person who has such gifts, become proud.
i). Love could turn a brilliant gift into a source of joy for the whole body. When you receive
a better gift from God radiant with great love, your glory will come from the rejoicing of other members. Other members like to be near to you.(I Cor.
j). Parents who have more gifts are more useful than their children at home. However,
because of love in the family, the children are always treated as kings and honoured t he most. Within a family, people will not be suppressed, simply because each one has different gifts or functions.
By the same token, in church, there should not be any jealousy or dispute, trying to eliminate those who are different from us for the sake of striking a balance in the small circle. The true balance comes from love and gifts.
k).If a person falls into the wisdom of satan, and becomes a trouble- maker and slanderer.
(James 3:14-16) Such a person has not received the gift from above. Paul said, he is the servant of satan! The righteous has nothing to do with the unrighteous. God’s servant does not waste time in dealing with these people and cooperating with them. The yeast has to be removed, otherwise the church might be polluted.
l). God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers. This doesn’t mean they are different in class. (The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’ Rather it is talking about the order in terms of time for these workers to appear.
m).When a church is expanding and maturing, the
n). (Please also refer to the explanation of :” This church had received the most gifts compared with other churches of that time.”)
17. “Love” and “We know in part” (I Cor. 13:1-13)
a). We do not sit passively, waiting for gifts to be given by God. There are two kinds of gifts:
i). Special (uncommon) gifts: God bestows them to us according to His own will. But one can ask and seek these gifts for the benefit of the church. Ask God to bestow other gifts either to himself or to others.(I Cor.
ii). Common gifts: Such gift is not specially given by God. Rather, everyone needs to
earnestly ask for, such as “love”. (I Cor. 12:31; 14:1)
* Therefore, each member of the body should at least have two kinds of gifts: special gift
and love.
b). There are two stages of love:
i). Own request: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
ii). The attitude toward truth and other people: Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
c). Many Christian denominations often criticized the True Jesus Church proclaiming that
“we preach the complete gospel, and we are the only church which can be saved.”, as
being arrogant and that we just know in part. Since all of us are “knowing in part”, no
one qualifies to claim the other is incomplete or imperfect. When Jesus comes again,
all things will be clear, but…….
d). However, Paul asserted that if anyone preaches a gospel (to know in part?) other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!(Gal. 1:6-9) Therefore, in the “kingdom of God’s chosen people” (this principle can be applied to globally), although in different stages, the revelations to God’s chosen people might be in part, but “who correctly handles the word of truth.” (II Tim. 2:15) And is a “fullness” of gospel (Col. 1:25) It will save those who have heard.(I Jn. 1:1-2) As to those groups who are not in the holy spirit, they are not even qualified to “be saved in part”.
e). Paul said: “Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So that the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.”(Gal. 3:23-25) And “when I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I become a man, I put childish ways behind me.” (I Cor. 13:11) “In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.”(Eph. 3:4-5) etc.. All this explains that although the truth which was understood by God’s people was limited, God will reveal to them gradually and make it more clear every time.
18. Prophecy and Tongues (I Cor. 14:1-40)
a). There are 2 kinds of speaking in tongues:
i). Preaching in tongues which needs someone to translate for the speaker, the audience and the congregation. It is same as the preaching of a prophet, for building the church up or to cultivate her. If any one inspired by the spirit is speaking in tongues, but there is no-one to interpret for him and the whole church can not be benefited by the tongues, then, he should keep silent in the congregation.
ii). Praying in tongues which does not need to be interpreted. We are praying to God, to edify ourselves. In spirit we are talking all the mystery. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.(Rms.
b). God bestows us his gifts seemly in a disorderly manner. Some people speak in tongues,
but there is no interpretation. Then there are people speaking in tongues simultaneously,
or a few people may prophesy and preach, etc.. However, the person who has received gifts should keep order by keeping silent in the congregation, or two, or at the most three– should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.(I Cor.14:26-33)
c). Men might be inspired or moved by the spirit of God. But it is not an excuse for chaos.
d). In the chapter 14, Paul mentioned: “keep silence” 3 times. “If anyone speaks in a tongue, two or at most three should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God. Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.”
Therefore, during a service, no one can claim that he was inspired by the Holy Spirit and insist on speaking for the Lord. Similarly, women should remain silent in the churches, even they are inspired by the Holy Spirit or have the gift of prophecy.
19. The resurrection of Christ or the Saints (I Cor. 15:1-58)
a). The Bible recorded: “Jesus Christ resurrected in 3 days after his death.” Which talked about the physical body of Jesus.
b). God came to this world as flesh, in the likeness of sinful man. By using the body of Christ whom is sinless and do not have to die to condemn the death of sins. “For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.” (Rms. 8:1-4) Therefore, when Jesus was nailed on the cross, his physical body died as a sin offerings to redeem for our sins.(Heb. 10:5) Peter also said: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness.” (I Peter 2:24)
c). Adam who committed sins and brought two kinds of death to the mankind:
i). The death of our spiritual life: “The day you eat, you will surely die.” (Gen. 2:17)
ii). The death of our physical body: “By the sweat of your brow, you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Gen. 3:19)
d). The water Baptism also bring to us two kinds of blessing of resurrection:
i). The resurrection of the spiritual life: “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We, died to sin, how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too many live a new life.” (Rms 6:1-4) “Having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.” (Col. 2:12)
ii). The resurrection of the physical body: “If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin – because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.” (Rms. 6:5-8) “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” (Rms. 8:11)
e). For those whom had been baptized and received Holy Spirit, all we are waiting which is for the redemption of our body: “That the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”(Rms. 8:21-23) Only those who could reach to the last stages of the “redemption of bodies”, are realised the status as the sons of God.
f). Therefore do not give yourself body over to sins, and be destroyed by God at end which means you loss the blessing of salvation forever. (I Cor. 3:16-17;
g). For those who do not believe in the resurrection of the body, is equivalent to deny the salvation work of Jesus Christ who was crucified on the cross and the power of Jesus who overcome the sins and the death by resurrect from death. (I Cor. 15:14-17)
h). The time for our bodies resurrect from death is when Jesus Christ second coming, on that moment, all saints will be resurrected one by one in an orderly manner.: “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope, We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.” (I Thess.4:13-18)