What are his commandments?

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116» 1Cor 14:29-32 . .Two, or three, prophets should speak, and everyone
else should weigh carefully what is said. If a revelation comes to someone
who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy
in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of
the prophets are subject to the prophets.

Though God endows certain Spirit-selected people in church with the gift of
prophecy (1Cor 12:4-11) it is not He who endows them with the compulsion
to talk all at once and/or talk out of turn. Chaos prevention is their
responsibility; not His, no matter how inspired they might be, nor how
important they think their information is.

** Actual prophets channel God's thoughts; viz: they speak as the voice of
God. People with opinions don't speak as the voice of God at all; they speak
as themselves. True prophets are revelators; people with opinions are little
more than a nuisance; they muddy the waters and if not kept in check will
quickly derail a Sunday school class and drag it off onto perpetual debating
that never gets to the bottom of anything.
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117» 1Cor 14:34 . . Women should remain silent in the churches. They are
not allowed to speak; but must be in submission (i.e. subordinate to the
men)

It could be argued, with some merit, that this rule applies only to tongues
and prophecy; but Paul goes further with this rule in a letter to his friend
Timothy.

● 1Tim 2:11-13 . . Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I
suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be
in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

It's important to note that this is neither a gender issue nor an issue related
to competence; it's an issue related to primogeniture. For that reason it's an
insubordinate act of contempt for authority when Christian women lead
Christian men in a Christian congregation.

FAQ: Doesn't 1Cor 11:3-10 permit women to pray and/or prophecy just so
long as they cover their hair?

REPLY: There is a gender limit to that privilege. In other words: Christian
woman are not allowed to pray and/or prophecy in the hearing of a mixed
congregation; i.e. where Christian men are present.

FAQ: What about women like Anne Graham Lotz. Is she out of order?

REPLY: Though women aren't permitted to speak to a mixed-gender
Christian congregation, that doesn't preclude their speaking to a mixed
gender public forum, or in the street; or in a coliseum, or in a stadium, or in
a convention center, or on radio and television.

The best place in church for women blessed with the Spirit's gift to teach for
Christ is in a women's group; and if a man should invade a women's group
led by a Spirit-gifted woman; I think he should be asked to leave.

FAQ: What about Deborah in the Old Testament book of judges? Exactly how
was she an exception to the rule, if indeed she was?

REPLY: Things are quite a bit different now with Christ at the helm, i.e.
Christ's association with his church trumps Deborah's association with the
Jews. I do not recommend using her, or any other woman in the Bible, as an
excuse to defy Christ's edicts in matters pertaining to the governance of
Christian congregations.

** Debbie was neither a priest nor a member of the Sanhedrin; her
involvement in the Jews' affairs was limited to her position as a judge, viz:
the Temple's sacred business was none of her business; that was strictly a
man's world.

** Paul appealed to "the law" as the basis for 1Cor 14:34. Normally when
Paul speaks of the law he's referring to the covenant that Moses' people
agreed upon with God as per Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Exactly where in the covenant that women are forbidden to preach, or teach,
or usurp authority over men in matters of religion, I don't know. However,
it's quite obvious that the covenant is very sexist, i.e. women are not
permitted in either the priesthood or the Sanhedrin.

NOTE: The law doesn't always speak explicitly about certain things.
Sometimes the law's rules and procedures imply principles that we call "the
spirit of the law". Whereas anybody can parrot the law, not just anyone is
able to discern the spirit of the law. (cf. Neh 8:1-8)
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118» 1Cor 14:35 . . If women have questions, they should ask their own
husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.

What's an inquiring wife to do if her husband is spiritually inept? I'd suggest
that women married to spiritually inept Christian men, and/or women
married to non-Christian men, and/or unmarried women; seek assistance
from one of the ladies in church known to be somewhat of a Bible expert.

But for safety's sake, she shouldn't seek assistance from another woman's
husband; even if he's the pastor, or a deacon, or an elder; it's not only
disobedient, but that's also how rumors (and other things) get started.
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119» 1Cor 14:37-38 . . If anybody thinks he's a prophet or spiritually gifted,
let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command.

If your Sunday school, or your catechism class, is being chaired by
somebody who disagrees with the Lord's commands regulating women's
subordination, or the use and abuse of tongues, and/or the speaking of
prophecy; then believe me you have a serious problem because it indicates
that your leader is humanistic rather than inspired.
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[Magenta]

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118» 1Cor 14:35 . . If women have questions, they should ask their own
husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.

What's an inquiring wife to do if her husband is spiritually inept? I'd suggest
that women married to spiritually inept Christian men, and/or women
married to non-Christian men, and/or unmarried women; seek assistance
from one of the ladies in church known to be somewhat of a Bible expert.

But for safety's sake, she shouldn't seek assistance from another woman's
husband; even if he's the pastor, or a deacon, or an elder; it's not only
disobedient, but that's also how rumors (and other things) get started.
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You contradict yourself.

 

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120» 1Cor 14:38 . . But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

In other words: if a spiritual influence refuses to accept the apostle Paul
as a duly authorized agent speaking for Christ; then do not try to fix them.
Instead, regard the influence as severely compromised; and avoid speaking
with them about your religion.
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[Aaron56]

And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

The underlined portion is in reference to this scripture:

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another."

 

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121» 1Cor 14:39 . .Therefore, brethren, be eager to prophesy, and do not
forbid speaking in tongues.

That rule applies only to people who actually have the gifts of tongues
and/or prophesy because according to Rom 12:4-6, 1Cor 12:10, 1Cor
12:29-30, and 1Cor 14:5 not everyone does.

So then; it's okay to speak in a tongue, and it's okay to prophesy, but both
must be done not only according to the rules, but also as if by adults in
possession of their faculties, i.e. grown-ups.

● 1Cor 14:40 . . Let all things be done decorously and in proper order.
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Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

 

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122» 1Cor 15:34 . . Come to your senses and stop sinning. For to your shame I
say that some of you don't have the knowledge of God.

That directive is in connection with some of the Corinthians' insistence that
dead people stay dead and never recover.

● 1Cor 15:12 . . Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the
dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the
dead?

Apparently some of the Corinthians couldn't see that Christ's resurrection is
evidence that it's possible for dead people to recover. A measure of that
blindness exists even today among people who insist that Christ's crucified
dead body didn't recover. They insist he rose from the dead with another
body: a so-called glorified body; and some even insist that Christ returned
from the dead as a spirit being rather than a human being, and others
postulate that his post crucifixion appearances were done as an angel
disguised in a fully functioning human avatar. But if any of that were true,
then Christ's prediction at John 2:19-22 would be easily invalidated.

According to 1Cor 15:51-53 and 1Thes 4:13-17, the natural remains of
Christ's followers will first revive as they were and then be transformed into
something very wonderful during a flight up to meet the Lord in the air.

There is really no sensible reason to not believe that Christ underwent the
very same process, i.e. his crucified remains were first returned to life just
as he predicted; and then forty days later, at some point during the flight up
to heaven as per Acts 1:9, his revived mortal body underwent transformation
into an immortal superhuman body.

** According to 1Cor 15:34, people who believe Christ's crucified dead body
is still dead aren't fully conscious; viz: they're like someone in a stupor; i.e.
dazed.
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123» 1Cor 15:56-58 . .The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is The
Commandments; but thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our
Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing
discourage you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of The Lord,
because you know that your labor in The Lord isn't futile.

When I was a growing Catholic boy, The Commandments kept me anxious
about my afterlife future. Well, no more; not since I discovered that Jesus'
crucifixion somehow manages to insulate people from The Commandments'
ability to ruin their chances for happiness in eternity.

"He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are
healed. 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." (Isa 53:5-6)

"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful
nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having
canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that
stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross." (Col 2:13-15)

In light of those two passages. I have to agree with the angel the night
Christ was born that his was a message of "great joy". (Luke 2:10)

Now; just imagine if somebody had it in the back of their mind that they
might be giving The Lord unreserved quantities of their time, talent, and
resources in a thankless endeavor only to end up being condemned anyway
as per Matt 7:22-23. Well, Paul assured the Corinthians that Christ's work on
the cross, and in the grave and out of the grave, guaranteed that wouldn't
happen to them-- their future in a better life was in the bag; therefore they
needn't fear that in the end their work for The Lord will be judged all for
nothing.

Ironically; and at the time of his writing, the Corinthians were not all that
spiritual. (1Cor 3:1-3). However; though their work in The Lord was being
performed by Christians whose spirituality was basically substandard, they
were still useful; which tells me that it isn't necessary to be a super saint
before one can begin serving Christ. Just serve him as best you can and pay
no attention to your location on the curve: keeping in mind that loyalty and
reliability count more than quantity.
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124» 1Cor 16:1-3 . . Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I
told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of
you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it
up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when I
arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send
them with your gift to Jerusalem.

The "God's people" to whom Paul referred were Jewish Christians whose
church was located at Jerusalem. They were having it pretty rough in the
early days of Christianity.

Lest somebody should get the wrong idea, that wasn't a tithe. Christ left it
up to each individual in Corinth the amount that they felt like donating
towards the Jews' relief effort.

● 2Cor 9:7 . . Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to
give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Tithes are not gifts; no, tithes are demanded rather than donated out of the
goodness of one's heart. I don't give the government my taxes; no, they
wrest them from me by force of law; viz: I pay taxes against my will, both
reluctantly and under compulsion; and I have little to no say in how revenue
is allocated. When it comes to taxes: I am not cheerful; no, I am grudging.
Well; that is not Christian giving. No; Christians have a faith that works by love,
not by law. (Gal 5:6)

NOTE: It would be interesting to take a poll among America's churches just
to see, out of curiosity, how many have a program for assisting Jewish
Christians over in the modern State of Israel.
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125» 1Cor 16:13a . . Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be men of
courage; be strong.

The Greek word for "men of courage" basically means to act manly; defined
by Webster's as: (1) having qualities generally associated with a man; viz:
strength and virility, and (2) appropriate in character to a man.

Well; we sure don't want the Christian women in church to become so-called
strong women; i.e. she-males. Masculinity is appropriate for men; but
definitely not for women. We want them to stand firm in the faith in a
feminine way rather than a man's way.
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126» 1Cor 16:14 . . Do everything in love.

The Greek word translated "love" in this instance is agape (ag-ah'-pay)
which doesn't necessarily indicate fondness or affection like the word phileo
but does always indicate benevolence; defined by Webster's as the
disposition to do good, e.g. generosity, charity, altruism, compassion, and
sympathy, i.e. thoughtful, cordial, affable, genial, sociable, cheerful, warm,
sensitive, hospitable, considerate, tactful, diplomatic, accommodating,
cooperative, kind, courteous, lenient, tolerant, patient, helpful, civil, and
friendly, etc.

I would imagine that "everything" includes the business of managing a
Church.

If a church officer's management practices tend to be more Machiavellian
than Christian, then maybe he really ought to consider stepping down and
finding himself a seat in a pew rather than a chair on the board. I mean it;
this is not something to take lightly. 1Cor 16:14 isn't optional; it's
mandatory.
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127» 1Cor 16:15-18 . .You know that the household of Stephanas were the
first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of
the saints. I urge you, brothers, to submit to such as these and to everyone
who joins in the work, and labors at it. I was glad when Stephanas,
Fortunatus, and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was
lacking from you. For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men
deserve recognition.

Paul and his associates depended pretty heavily upon the hospitality of local
believers for accommodations and daily necessities. Congregations do well to
follow the examples of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus either by
opening their homes to missionaries or by funding their stay in a motel,
providing them with some pocket money, and possibly a rental car.
(Universal gift cards would be good too.)
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128» 1Cor 16:20 . . Greet one another with a holy kiss.

Kissing was a common form of greeting in the old world; and still is in the
Middle East and certain parts of Europe; but here in America-- a super-sized
racial/cultural/ethnic amalgam of customs from all over the globe --it's wise
to dispense your kisses with discretion. Some of us don't even like to be
hugged, let alone bussed; and if you should perchance try to make physical
contact with an autistic Christian, you're liable to cause them a panic attack;
so go easy on the touchy-feely stuff.

The people to whom Paul referred as "one another" are one's fellow born
again Christians. We're not required to be cozy with unbelievers. You can be
courteous to them, yes (cf. Matt 5:47) but reserve especially warm greetings
for your siblings; viz: those who've undergone a second birth as per John
1:12-13 and John 3:3-8, and thus share your adoption into God's home as
per Rom 8:15-17
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129» 1Cor 16:22 . . If anyone love not The Lord, let him be accursed.

One's love of The Lord is exemplified by loyalty.

● John 14:15 . . If you love me, you will comply with what I command.

● John 14:21 . .Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one
who loves me.

● John 14:23-24 . . If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching . . He who
does not love me will not obey my teaching.

Does a Muslim have to be a terrorist to be accursed? No; they only have to
be a loyal follower of Muhammad ibn `Abdullāh instead of a loyal follower of
Jesus Christ; same goes for Atheists, Nonreligious, Baha'i, Buddhists,
Chinese Universalists, Confucianists, Jains, Kabbalah mystics, Shintoists,
Spiritists, Taoists, Zoroastrians, Jews, Sikhs, and Hindus-- they're all
accursed and there is nothing to be gained in arguing about it.

How many people am I talking about? Well, as of mid 2014, worldwide there
were:

550,000 Scientologists
1,500,000 Mormons
8,200,000 Jehovah's Witnesses
18,479,257 Seventh Day Adventists
7,794,000 Baha'i
515,951,000 Buddhists
451,292,000 Chinese Folk Religionists
8,424,000 Confucianists
974,597,000 Hindus
5,567,000 Jains
14,142,000 Jews
1,673,590 Muslims
2,819,000 Shintoists
24,918,000 Sikhs
14,183,000 Spiritists
8,660,000 Taoists
196,000 Zoroastrians
828,594,000 Nonreligious
692,111,000 Agnostics
136,483,000 Atheists.

The grand total of just those categories alone is 5,3387,550,257

If those figures are in the ball park, and if classical Christianity is the reality;
then a minimum of at least 75% of the earth's 2014 population of 7.2 billion
people that weren't loyal to Christ.

NOTE: Scientology, though not actually a religion, has an IRS tax status as such.

Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons are Christians in the popular sense, yes, but not in the classic sense.

Joseph Smith's movement is a spin-off; in other words: there's some classic Christianity in Mormonism, but comprises only a portion of Mormonism. The rest of it is extreme, to say the least.

Neither do Jehovah's Witnesses qualify as Christians in the classic sense. Charles Taze Russell's movement is a spin-off too. There's some classic Christianity in the Watchtower Society's doctrines, but comprises only a portion of Russell's doctrines; and his slant on it is very peculiar.

BTW: An informative book that I personally consider an essential volume in every Christian's library is called: "Kingdom Of The Cults" by Walter Martin.
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129» 2Cor 2:6-8 . . The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is
sufficient for him. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so
that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore,
to reaffirm your love for him.

The cause for which Paul wrote that piece was a guy in the Corinthian church
sleeping with his stepmother (1Cor 5:1). Paul had instructed the
congregation to not only hold the man's feet to the fire, but also to ostracize
him.

Some time had passed since then, and the man was apparently regretting
his actions, and broken off the illicit relationship with his kin, so it was time
to let him back into the group. No doubt the humiliation of it all had a
tremendous impact upon his attitude-- probably upon the congregation's too
because at first their attitude wasn't all that good about it either. (cf. 1Cor
5:2)

Here in America scolding and ostracizing a church member would probably
just make them resentful rather than repentant. (cf. Ps 51:17)

FAQ: Does 2Cor 2:5-10 support the Watchtower Society's shunning and/or
Scientology's disconnection?

REPLY: Those organizations practice vindictive forms of ostracizing that
oftentimes destroy friendship bonds, destroy family ties, destroy
marriage vows, and even endanger careers.

Christian ostracizing is pretty much limited to fellowship, i.e. congregational
functions, e.g. worship services, communion, prayer meetings, banquets,
etc. Extreme shunning practices put Christians in jeopardy of failing to comply
with Christ's instructions per Matt 5:44-48. (cf. 2Thess 3:14-15)

** A rough-hewn example for us to think about is located in the 15th
chapter of 1Samuel wherein king Saul disobeyed God's instructions to utterly
destroy Agag. Afterwards Saul entreated Samuel to accompany him to
church but the prophet refused until the king fully admitted he was in the
wrong.
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130» 2Cor 2:10-11 . . If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I
have forgiven-- if there was anything to forgive --I have forgiven in the sight
of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are
not unaware of his schemes.

One of the opposition's tactics is to create disunity in a church. Sure enough
when that happens-- as when one portion of the congregation believes in
judging and ostracizing while the other doesn't --people start taking sides
and the church will end up divided into cliques and factions. According to the
lord and master of New Testament Christianity, a house divided against itself
cannot stand.

Paul mentioned that his extension of forgiveness was "in the sight of Christ".
There exists some controversy as to the exact meaning but I think it's just
saying that Paul's forgiveness of that man was done in accordance with
Christ's approval; to the end that the Corinthians all go along with it, i.e.
stand together as one in their compliance with the apostle Paul's decisions.
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131» 2Cor 5:20-21 . . We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though
God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf:
Be reconciled to God.

There's two different aspects to reconciliation. One is a criminal justice kind
of reconciliation (Rom 5:6-11, Rom 6:3-11, 1John 2:2) and the other is a
fellowship kind of reconciliation. (Gen 4:1-7, Gen 5:22-24, Gen 6:9, Gen
17:1, 1John 1:3-7)

For example, a man and his wife may not be speaking to each other; and
sleeping in separate beds; but they're still married: they're just not getting
along; in other words, they're out of fellowship with one another. It's God's
wishes that His own walk with Him in fellowship while they're waiting for
their departure; and the Corinthians weren't doing very well at it.

In order to restore diplomatic relations between themselves and their Father
above, that congregation had to knuckle down and deal with sin in their
midst in accordance with their master's wishes rather than their own.
Compare Josh 7:2-26 where Moses' people couldn't win anymore battles
until they first dealt with a sin in their midst.

It's ironic that a fully functioning Christian church like the one at Corinth was
in need of reconciliation with God. How many Christian churches are just like
that today? They pride themselves in being Spirit-filled congregations, yet
their congregational attitude is completely out of touch with Christ. Yes,
Christian congregations are oftentimes out of touch and need to come to
their senses and reconnect or else they risk becoming like the church at
Laodicea where the central figure of Christianity is depicted outside the
building banging on the door trying to get someone's attention to let him in.
(cf. Rev 3:14-22)
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