"THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS" Chapter Fifteen by Mark Copeland

                  "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                             Chapter Fifteen

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To see how the resurrection of Jesus is the basis of our faith

2) To determine why we believe that Jesus was indeed raised from the
   dead

3) To notice the sequence of events which will occur at the end of time
   as presented in this chapter

4) To understand what is revealed about our own future resurrection
   from the dead

SUMMARY

In this chapter Paul deals with problems the Corinthians were having 
concerning the resurrection of the dead.  Evidently there were teachers 
at Corinth claiming there would be no resurrection.  Paul answers this 
false doctrine by reminding them of the gospel which they received and 
which proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus from the dead (1-11).  He 
then proceeds to verify the resurrection with several different lines 
of argumentation (12-34).  The last half of the chapter is devoted to 
answering anticipated questions concerning how the dead will be raised 
and with what body will they come (35-58).

OUTLINE

I. THE RESURRECTION:  PROCLAIMED IN THE GOSPEL (1-11)

   A. THE GOSPEL IN RELATION TO THE CORINTHIANS (1-2)
      1. Paul proclaimed it and they received it (1)
      2. By it they are saved, if they hold fast to it (2)

   B. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GOSPEL (3-8)
      1. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures (3)
      2. He was buried and rose again the third day according to the
         Scriptures (4)
      3. He was seen by many eyewitnesses (5-7)
      4. He was seen by Paul himself, who by the grace of God was able
         to preach the gospel (8-10)
      5. Such was the gospel preached, and the Corinthians had believed
         it (11)

II. THE RESURRECTION:  VERIFIED BY THE APOSTLE PAUL (12-34)

   A. CONSEQUENCES IF THERE IS NO RESURRECTION (12-19)
      1. Christ is not risen from the dead (12-13)
      2. The apostles' preaching and the Corinthians' faith is vain 
         (14)
      3. The apostles are false witnesses (15-16)
      4. They are still in their sins (17)
      5. Those who have died in Christ have perished (18)
      6. Those who hope in Christ are the most pitiable of all men (19)

   B. CHRIST'S RESURRECTION AND OUR RESURRECTION (20-28)
      1. Christ is the "firstfruits" (20)
      2. As in Adam all die, so in Christ all shall be made alive
         (21-22)
      3. A brief description as to when this will occur (23-28)
         a. At the coming of Christ (23)
         b. This will be the end, when Christ delivers the kingdom to
            God (24-28)
            1) When He has put an end to all rule, authority and power
               (24)
            2) For Christ must reign till God has put all enemies under
               His feet (25)
            3) The last enemy being death itself (26)
            4) When all is made subject to Christ, the Son will also be
               subject to Him Who put all things under Him (27-28)

   C. ADDITIONAL ARGUMENTS FOR THE RESURRECTION, WITH A WARNING
      (29-34)
      1. Why are some being baptized for the dead if there is no
         resurrection? (29)
      2. Why do the apostles and others suffer harsh persecution if
         there is no resurrection? (30-32)
      3. Beware of evil influence and those who do not have the
         knowledge of God (33-34)

III. THE RESURRECTION:  DESCRIBED BY PAUL (35-58)

   A. IN ANSWER TO THE QUESTION:  "WITH WHAT BODY DO THEY COME?"
      (35-49)
      1. It will be different from the one sown, just as the plant is
         different from the seed  (35-38)
      2. Illustrations of the different types of bodies in the physical
         world (39-41)
      3. Thus the resurrected body will be different from the physical
         body, though it is the same as the one sown (42-49)
         a. The weak, dishonorable, corruptible body will be raised in
            incorruption, glory and power (42-43)
         b. The natural body, patterned after the first Adam, will be
            raised a spiritual body patterned after the Last Adam
            (44-46)
         c. Those who have borne the image of the man of dust from the
            earth, will one day bear the image of the Man of heaven
            (47-49)

   B. IN ANSWER TO THE QUESTION:  "HOW ARE THE DEAD RAISED UP" (50-58)
      1. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does
         corruption inherit incorruption (50)
      2. The mystery of the resurrection as revealed by Paul (51-57)
         a. All shall be changed, whether dead or alive (51)
         b. It will occur in the twinkling of an eye, at the last
            trumpet (52)
         c. The corruptible, mortal man will put on incorruption and
            immortality, and we will be victorious over death through
            Jesus Christ our Lord (53-57)
      3. A final exhortation to be steadfast, immovable, always
         abounding in the work of the Lord (58)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) List the main points of this chapter
   - The Resurrection:  Proclaimed In The Gospel (1-11)
   - The Resurrection:  Verified By Paul (12-34)
   - The Resurrection:  Described By Paul (35-58)

2) What are some of the key elements of the gospel? (1-8)
   - Christ died for our sins
   - Christ was buried and raised the third day
   - Christ was seen by eyewitnesses

3) What type of proof is offered for the resurrection of Jesus? (5-8)
   - Eyewitness testimony by numerous witnesses

4) If Christ was not raised from the dead, what would it mean? (14-19)
   - The preaching of the apostles and our faith is vain
   - The apostles are false witnesses
   - We are still in our sins
   - Those who died in Christ have perished
   - We who hope in Christ are to be pitied

5) What will happen when Christ comes again? (23-26, 51-53)
   - The resurrection from the dead
   - The kingdom delivered to God the Father

6) What does Paul refer to when he speaks of "baptism for the dead"?
   (29)
   - Of the many different explanations that have been offered, the one
     making most sense to me is that Paul is speaking of the
     inconsistency of those who deny the resurrection while at the same
     time practicing a form of "vicarious baptism".  Notice that Paul
     refers to "they" who were doing this, not "we" (i.e., the
     apostles).  Paul in this passage is neither openly condemning or
     justifying the practice.  He simply uses the practice of others
     to demonstrate the inconsistency of such practice when denying
     the resurrection of the dead.  Whether we should practice such a
     rite as "baptism for the dead" today must be determined from
     passages elsewhere.  All we find elsewhere concerning baptism is
     that it requires faith and repentance of the one being baptized.
     This would preclude the practice of "vicarious baptism."

Courage

Of course this picture is manipulated, but along with the caption, that's what makes it humorous!!!  If however, it WERE TRUE, imagine the courage of that dog!!!!  Courage is exhibited by all sorts of people and those in leadership want the best possible people around them.  The ancient king of Israel, David, was no exception.  Here is a list of his "mighty men" and if you can get past the difficult names (and they are hard to pronounce) there are some noteworthy people here indeed...

 

 2 Samuel Chapter 23

 8 These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb Basshebeth a Tahchemonite, chief of the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite, against eight hundred slain at one time.  9 After him was Eleazar the son of Dodai the son of an Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines who were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away. 10 He arose, and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand froze to the sword; and Yahweh worked a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to take spoil.  11 After him was Shammah the son of Agee a Hararite. The Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where there was a plot of ground full of lentils; and the people fled from the Philistines.  12 But he stood in the midst of the plot, and defended it, and killed the Philistines; and Yahweh worked a great victory.  13 Three of the thirty chief men went down, and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam; and the troop of the Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim. 14 David was then in the stronghold; and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.  15 David longed, and said, “Oh that one would give me water to drink of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!”

  16 The three mighty men broke through the army of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but he would not drink of it, but poured it out to Yahweh.  17 He said, “Be it far from me, Yahweh, that I should do this! Isn’t it the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?” Therefore he would not drink it. The three mighty men did these things.  18 Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the three. He lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them, and had a name among the three.  19 Wasn’t he most honorable of the three? therefore he was made their captain: however he didn’t attain to the three.  20 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, he killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab: he went down also and killed a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow.  21 He killed an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear.  22 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did these things, and had a name among the three mighty men.  23 He was more honorable than the thirty, but he didn’t attain to the three. David set him over his guard.  24 Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,  25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,  26 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,  27 Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite, 28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,  29 Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,  30 Benaiah a Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash. 31 Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,  32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,  33 Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Ararite,  34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maacathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, 35 Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,  36 Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,  37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armor bearers to Joab the son of Zeruiah,  38 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,  39 Uriah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all.

The first few have stories told of them, while the later ones are listed.  Still, just to be on the list was a great honor.  Every one of these was exemplary or they would not have made the list.  Last of all was Uriah the Hittite and we all know the story of how king David misused his authority and had him killed so he could have Uriah's wife.  You may never do anything OUTSTANDING like these men, but if you have the courage to really look at yourself and change your ways to conform to the will of God, then you have accomplished something that most of the world will never do; namely, have your name written in the book of life and make it into heaven.  That is more important than anything else you could do because it will last forever. And forever is one very long time!!!!

July 16 1 Chronicles 10-12

July 16

1 Chronicles 10-12

1Ch 10:1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain on Mount Gilboa.

1Ch 10:2 The Philistines followed hard after Saul and after his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.

1Ch 10:3 The battle went sore against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was distressed by reason of the archers.

1Ch 10:4 Then said Saul to his armor bearer, Draw your sword, and thrust me through therewith, lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armor bearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell on it.

1Ch 10:5 When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell on his sword, and died.

1Ch 10:6 So Saul died, and his three sons; and all his house died together.

1Ch 10:7 When all the men of Israel who were in the valley saw that they fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook their cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and lived in them.

1Ch 10:8 It happened on the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.

1Ch 10:9 They stripped him, and took his head, and his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines all around, to carry the news to their idols, and to the people.

1Ch 10:10 They put his armor in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the house of Dagon.

1Ch 10:11 When all Jabesh Gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul,

1Ch 10:12 all the valiant men arose, and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

1Ch 10:13 So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against Yahweh, because of the word of Yahweh, which he didn't keep; and also because he asked counsel of one who had a familiar spirit, to inquire thereby,

1Ch 10:14 and didn't inquire of Yahweh: therefore he killed him, and turned the kingdom to David the son of Jesse.

1Ch 11:1 Then all Israel gathered themselves to David to Hebron, saying, Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.

1Ch 11:2 In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought in Israel: and Yahweh your God said to you, You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over my people Israel.

1Ch 11:3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Yahweh; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of Yahweh by Samuel.

1Ch 11:4 David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (the same is Jebus); and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there.

1Ch 11:5 The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, You shall not come in here. Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David.

1Ch 11:6 David said, Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and was made chief.

1Ch 11:7 David lived in the stronghold; therefore they called it the city of David.

1Ch 11:8 He built the city all around, from Millo even around; and Joab repaired the rest of the city.

1Ch 11:9 David grew greater and greater; for Yahweh of Armies was with him.

1Ch 11:10 Now these are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who showed themselves strong with him in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of Yahweh concerning Israel.

1Ch 11:11 This is the number of the mighty men whom David had: Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, the chief of the thirty; he lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them at one time.

1Ch 11:12 After him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighty men.

1Ch 11:13 He was with David at Pasdammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where there was a plot of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines.

1Ch 11:14 They stood in the midst of the plot, and defended it, and killed the Philistines; and Yahweh saved them by a great victory.

1Ch 11:15 Three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the army of the Philistines were encamped in the valley of Rephaim.

1Ch 11:16 David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

1Ch 11:17 David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me water to drink of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!

1Ch 11:18 The three broke through the army of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to Yahweh,

1Ch 11:19 and said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this: shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men.

1Ch 11:20 Abishai, the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three; for he lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them, and had a name among the three.

1Ch 11:21 Of the three, he was more honorable than the two, and was made their captain: however he didn't attain to the first three.

1Ch 11:22 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, he killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab: he went down also and killed a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow.

1Ch 11:23 He killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with his own spear.

1Ch 11:24 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had a name among the three mighty men.

1Ch 11:25 Behold, he was more honorable than the thirty, but he didn't attain to the first three: and David set him over his guard.

1Ch 11:26 Also the mighty men of the armies: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

1Ch 11:27 Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,

1Ch 11:28 Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite,

1Ch 11:29 Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,

1Ch 11:30 Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite,

1Ch 11:31 Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,

1Ch 11:32 Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,

1Ch 11:33 Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,

1Ch 11:34 the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shagee the Hararite,

1Ch 11:35 Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur,

1Ch 11:36 Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,

1Ch 11:37 Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai,

1Ch 11:38 Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri,

1Ch 11:39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armor bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah,

1Ch 11:40 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,

1Ch 11:41 Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai,

1Ch 11:42 Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a chief of the Reubenites, and thirty with him,

1Ch 11:43 Hanan the son of Maacah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite,

1Ch 11:44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite,

1Ch 11:45 Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite,

1Ch 11:46 Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite,

1Ch 11:47 Eliel, and Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.

1Ch 12:1 Now these are those who came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish; and they were among the mighty men, his helpers in war.

1Ch 12:2 They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in slinging stones and in shooting arrows from the bow: they were of Saul's brothers of Benjamin.

1Ch 12:3 The chief was Ahiezer; then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite, and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth, and Beracah, and Jehu the Anathothite,

1Ch 12:4 and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty, and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Jozabad the Gederathite,

1Ch 12:5 Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite,

1Ch 12:6 Elkanah, and Isshiah, and Azarel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korahites,

1Ch 12:7 and Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.

1Ch 12:8 Of the Gadites there separated themselves to David to the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, that could handle shield and spear; whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the roes on the mountains;

1Ch 12:9 Ezer the chief, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,

1Ch 12:10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,

1Ch 12:11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,

1Ch 12:12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,

1Ch 12:13 Jeremiah the tenth, Machbannai the eleventh.

1Ch 12:14 These of the sons of Gad were captains of the army: he who was least was equal to one hundred, and the greatest to one thousand.

1Ch 12:15 These are those who went over the Jordan in the first month, when it had overflowed all its banks; and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west.

1Ch 12:16 There came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the stronghold to David.

1Ch 12:17 David went out to meet them, and answered them, If you be come peaceably to me to help me, my heart shall be knit to you; but if you be come to betray me to my adversaries, seeing there is no wrong in my hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it.

1Ch 12:18 Then the Spirit came on Amasai, who was chief of the thirty, and he said, "We are yours, David, and on your side, you son of Jesse: peace, peace be to you, and peace be to your helpers; for your God helps you." Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.

1Ch 12:19 Of Manasseh also there fell away some to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they didn't help them; for the lords of the Philistines sent him away after consultation, saying, He will fall away to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.

1Ch 12:20 As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zillethai, captains of thousands who were of Manasseh.

1Ch 12:21 They helped David against the band of rovers: for they were all mighty men of valor, and were captains in the army.

1Ch 12:22 For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like the army of God.

1Ch 12:23 These are the numbers of the heads of those who were armed for war, who came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of Yahweh.

1Ch 12:24 The children of Judah who bore shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, armed for war.

1Ch 12:25 Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valor for the war, seven thousand and one hundred.

1Ch 12:26 Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred.

1Ch 12:27 Jehoiada was the leader of the house of Aaron; and with him were three thousand and seven hundred,

1Ch 12:28 and Zadok, a young man mighty of valor, and of his father's house twenty-two captains.

1Ch 12:29 Of the children of Benjamin, the brothers of Saul, three thousand: for hitherto the greatest part of them had kept their allegiance to the house of Saul.

1Ch 12:30 Of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous men in their fathers' houses.

1Ch 12:31 Of the half-tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, who were mentioned by name, to come and make David king.

1Ch 12:32 Of the children of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brothers were at their commandment.

1Ch 12:33 Of Zebulun, such as were able to go out in the army, who could set the battle in array, with all manner of instruments of war, fifty thousand, and who could order the battle array, and were not of double heart.

1Ch 12:34 Of Naphtali one thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty-seven thousand.

1Ch 12:35 Of the Danites who could set the battle in array, twenty-eight thousand six hundred.

1Ch 12:36 Of Asher, such as were able to go out in the army, who could set the battle in array, forty thousand.

1Ch 12:37 On the other side of the Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half-tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, one hundred twenty thousand.

1Ch 12:38 All these being men of war, who could order the battle array, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.

1Ch 12:39 They were there with David three days, eating and drinking; for their brothers had made preparation for them.

1Ch 12:40 Moreover those who were near to them, even as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on donkeys, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, food of meal, cakes of figs, and clusters of raisins, and wine, and oil, and cattle, and sheep in abundance: for there was joy in Israel.

Jul. 16, 17 Acts 11

Jul. 16, 17

Acts 11

Act 11:1 Now the apostles and the brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

Act 11:2 When Peter had come up to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision contended with him,

Act 11:3 saying, "You went in to uncircumcised men, and ate with them!"

Act 11:4 But Peter began, and explained to them in order, saying,

Act 11:5 "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision: a certain container descending, like it was a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners. It came as far as me.

Act 11:6 When I had looked intently at it, I considered, and saw the four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky.

Act 11:7 I also heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter, kill and eat!'

Act 11:8 But I said, 'Not so, Lord, for nothing unholy or unclean has ever entered into my mouth.'

Act 11:9 But a voice answered me the second time out of heaven, 'What God has cleansed, don't you call unclean.'

Act 11:10 This was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven.

Act 11:11 Behold, immediately three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent from Caesarea to me.

Act 11:12 The Spirit told me to go with them, without discriminating. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house.

Act 11:13 He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying to him, 'Send to Joppa, and get Simon, whose surname is Peter,

Act 11:14 who will speak to you words by which you will be saved, you and all your house.'

Act 11:15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.

Act 11:16 I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, 'John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.'

Act 11:17 If then God gave to them the same gift as us, when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?"

Act 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!"

Act 11:19 They therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews only.

Act 11:20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.

Act 11:21 The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

Act 11:22 The report concerning them came to the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch,

Act 11:23 who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord.

Act 11:24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord.

Act 11:25 Barnabas went out to Tarsus to look for Saul.

Act 11:26 When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. It happened, that for a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Act 11:27 Now in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.

Act 11:28 One of them named Agabus stood up, and indicated by the Spirit that there should be a great famine all over the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius.

Act 11:29 As any of the disciples had plenty, each determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea;

Act 11:30 which they also did, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

"THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS" Chapter Fourteen by Mark Copeland

                 "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                            Chapter Fourteen

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To understand the proper use of tongues, especially their use in the
   assembly

2) To understand the principles which are to govern the assembly of the
   church

SUMMARY

In this chapter Paul concludes his discussion of spiritual gifts.  In 
comparing the gift of prophesying with that of speaking in tongues, he 
points out that prophesying excels when it comes to the edification of 
the church (1-5).  In fact, unless the speaking of tongues provides a 
new revelation or teaching, and is properly interpreted, it does little 
good (6-19).  Designed to convince unbelievers, improper use of 
speaking in tongues in the assembly can even bring reproach on the 
church (20-25).  Therefore Paul regulates the proper use of spiritual 
gifts in the assembly with a series of instructions, including 
commandments from the Lord about the place of women (26-40).

OUTLINE

I. SPIRITUAL GIFTS:  PROPHESYING AND SPEAKING IN TONGUES (1-25)

   A. PROPHESYING VERSUS SPEAKING IN TONGUES (1-5)
      1. A call to love, but also spiritual gifts, especially the gift
         of prophecy (1)
      2. Speaking in tongues (as done at Corinth) is speaking to God
         and is speaking mysteries (2)
      3. Whereas prophesying edifies, exhorts, and comforts others (3)
      4. Speaking in tongues (as done at Corinth) was not edifying the
         church, thus the desire that they had the gift of prophecy
         more than the gift of tongues (4-5)

   B. USING TONGUES IN A PROFITABLE WAY (6-19)
      1. Without a revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or teaching,
         speaking in tongues profit nothing (6)
      2. Like playing an instrument without giving any distinction in
         the sounds (7-9)
      3. Without interpretation, it is no better than a foreigner
         speaking to you (10-11)
      4. Therefore the admonitions:
         a. To excel in the area of edifying the church (12)
         b. For those who speak in tongues to pray that they may be
            able to interpret (13)
         c. To be able to pray and sing with both the spirit and the
            understanding, that all might be edified (14-19)

   C. ANOTHER COMPARISON BETWEEN TONGUES AND PROPHESYING (20-25)
      1. Tongues are a sign for unbelievers, while prophesying is for
         believers (20-22)
      2. Tongues in the assembly (without interpreters) will give 
         people the wrong impression (23)
      3. But prophesying in the assembly can bless even the unbeliever
         and uninformed person (24-25)

II. SPIRITUAL GIFTS:  REGULATING THEIR USE (26-40)

   A. LET ALL THINGS BE DONE FOR EDIFICATION (26)

   B. REGULATING THE USE OF TONGUES (27-28)
      1. Two or three may speak, in turn, and let one interpret (27)
      2. If there is no interpreter, keep silent in church (28)

   C. REGULATING THE USE OF PROPHESYING (29-33)
      1. Two or three prophets may speak, and others may discern (29)
      2. To be done in turn, that all may learn, for the spirits of the
         prophets are subject to the prophets (30-32)
      3. God is not the author of confusion but of peace, in all the
         churches (33)

   D. REGULATING THE PLACE OF WOMEN IN THE ASSEMBLY (34-38)
      1. They are to keep silent in the assemblies (34)
      2. Let them ask husbands at home if they have questions (35a)
      3. For it is shameful for women to speak in church (35b)
      4. These are commandments of the Lord which must be recognized as
         such (36-38)

   E. FINAL COMMENTS (39-40)
      1. Desire to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues
         (39)
      2. Let all things be done decently and in order (40)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) List the main points of this chapter
   - Spiritual Gifts: Prophesying And Speaking In Tongues (1-25)
   - Spiritual Gifts: Regulating Their Use (26-40)

2) As being practiced at Corinth, what did speaking in tongues
   accomplish? (2,4)
   - Edifying only the speaker

3) What is the value of prophesying? (3)
   - Provides edification, exhortation and comfort

4) What is necessary for speaking in tongues to be of value in the
   assembly? (6)
   - It must provide a revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or teaching

5) What is the purpose of speaking in tongues? (22)
   - To serve as a sign to unbelievers

6) What restrictions does Paul place on speaking in tongues in the
   assembly? (27-28)
   - Must be two, no more than three
   - Must have an interpreter, or remain silent

7) What restrictions does Paul place on women in the assemblies?
   (34-35)
   - To be silent

8) What two basic principles are to govern the assembly of the church?
   (26,40)
   - Let all things done for edification
   - Let all things done decently and in order