Some Things to Keep In Mind

In our previous lessons, we have been exploring ways to enhance our skills as Bible students. In other words, when we open God's Word, what should we look for, and how can we truly understand its meaning? We have examined several important aspects, and as we conclude this series, I would like to focus on "things to be aware of." These are essential considerations to keep in mind when engaging with Scripture so that we can grasp its true meaning.

When Paul wrote to Timothy, he emphasized the importance of diligence in studying God's Word. This diligence is vital because it is the only way to be approved before God. To achieve this, we must handle God's Word correctly, accurately, and rightly. So, how can we do that?

Ezra Chapter 7, verse 10 highlights an important principle: Ezra prepared his heart to seek, study, and implement the law of the Lord, as well as to teach the statutes and ordinances in Israel. We can learn from this example, as we too need to prepare our hearts to seek God's word and study it diligently. It's essential that we not only understand these teachings for ourselves but also share them with others, as this is part of our responsibility.

As we engage with God's word, there are three significant distinctions we should consider, particularly regarding what is meant to be permanent versus what may be temporary. How can we discern the difference? Let’s explore this together with a few examples this morning.

When we examine God's word, we discover numerous instances, particularly in the New Testament, where various individuals performed remarkable miracles—healing the blind, curing the crippled, raising the dead, and turning water into wine, among others. Many people today believe that these miracles can still occur, claiming that individuals can be miraculously brought back from the dead, healed in astonishing ways, and that water can be transformed into wine just as it was in biblical times. This raises the question: where are those miracles we read about in scripture? Were they intended to be permanent until Christ's return, or were they merely temporary, ceasing once their purpose was fulfilled? Which of these perspectives is correct?

When we look into God's word, it's essential that we fully engage and explore everything it says about various subjects before forming a conclusion. I must approach this with diligence. So, what does scripture reveal? Let’s begin by examining 1 Corinthians 13, starting at verse 8. After describing the characteristics of love, Paul tells the Christians that love never fails. However, there are certain things that will come to an end: prophecies will fail, tongues will cease, and knowledge will vanish away. We know only in part and prophesy in part, but when that which is perfect arrives, what is incomplete will be done away with.

When I was a child, I spoke, understood, and thought like a child; but upon becoming an adult, I set aside childish things. For now, we see in a dim mirror, but then we will behold face to face. Currently, I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I am fully known. Now, these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.

The first key point is that the author emphasizes the importance of love over miraculous gifts. He discusses prophecies, speaking in tongues, and possessing miraculous knowledge, stating that these gifts were only partial and would cease when that which is perfect arrives. This raises the question: why were these powers necessary in the first place? Jesus and the apostles explained their significance. In the 1st century, people did not have the complete Word of God; they only had portions of it. Letters were sent to specific churches, such as those in Corinth, Rome, Philippi, and Colossae, but none of these communities had access to the entire collection of letters. It wasn't until the end of the 1st century that God's written word and revelation were fully completed and compiled.

 How would the people in Corinth know what God wanted them to do, given that the letter to the Church of Corinth did not include everything God intended? They needed miraculous gifts and inspired individuals who could convey God's will through supernatural means, as they didn't have the complete Word of God at that time.

Paul explains that when "that which is perfect" or, more accurately, "that which is complete" has come, those miraculous gifts will no longer be necessary. A classic analogy for this concept is scaffolding. When constructing a house, scaffolding is essential for supporting the workers as they complete the structure. However, once the house is finished, the scaffolding served its purpose and is taken down; it is no longer needed.

Similarly, miraculous gifts in the first century acted as scaffolding until God's Word was completed. During that time, gifts like speaking in tongues, miraculous knowledge, and prophecies were essential because God’s revelation was not yet complete. Once it was finalized toward the end of the first century, the scaffolding was removed, meaning those miraculous gifts were never intended to last indefinitely.

When the church was still in its infancy, certain things were necessary. Paul reflects on this by saying, "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. But when I became a man, I put away childish things." At that early stage, the church lacked the complete letters and texts that we have today, which limited their ability to speak as adults. Paul indicates that upon gaining access to the full written word, he set aside those childish things. So, what are these childish things he refers to?

In this context, the discussion revolves around speaking in tongues, prophecies, and miraculous knowledge. Paul states that when he matured, he set aside those practices, deeming them unnecessary. He refers to them as childish things that were essential during the church's infancy but are no longer needed. Today, we might consider speaking in tongues as a childish pursuit, as they serve no purpose in the current age of the church.

Paul emphasizes that these gifts had a temporary role; they were not meant to be permanent. Once their purpose was fulfilled, they were taken away. Now, we possess the complete Word of God, which thoroughly equips us for every good work as stated in 2 Timothy 3:16-17. We don't require additional prophecies, speaking in tongues, or miraculous gifts to find our fulfillment. The Scriptures assure us that they sufficiently provide everything we need.

When we open God's Word, it is crucial to distinguish between mere circumstances and genuine conditions present in the accounts we read. This distinction is particularly important as we explore the narratives of Jesus or the apostles in the first century. We need to ask ourselves what was simply circumstantial and what constituted real conditions, as circumstances can change, but conditions remain constant. Let’s examine three examples to illustrate this point.

The Lord's Supper is discussed in various accounts throughout the New Testament. It's important to note that the Lord's Supper was celebrated in a variety of locations; it wasn't restricted to one specific place. The circumstances surrounding its observance varied, taking place in different buildings, on different levels, and sometimes even outdoors. However, the location was not what truly mattered.

In contrast, the timing of the Lord's Supper remained consistent. Once the church was established, it was always observed on the first day of the week, without exception. The variations were solely related to the circumstances in which it was held, not the timing.

As for the elements used in the Lord's Supper, these also remained unchanged throughout the New Testament accounts. It was consistently the fruit of the vine and unleavened bread. Both elements carry significant spiritual meaning, and it would be beneficial to explore why God chose these particular items, as they are deeply rooted in spiritual principles. These aspects never varied.

Circumstances may vary, but the core message remains constant. When we examine the evangelistic efforts of figures like Peter and Paul, we see that their approaches differed significantly. They traveled by foot and by ship, evangelizing in rural areas as well as urban centers. Sometimes they spoke to individuals, while at other times, they addressed large crowds. Although the methods and contexts of their ministry changed, the essence of their message did not. Paul even stated that he communicated the same message to all the churches. Ultimately, how they delivered their message or the circumstances surrounding their journeys are not what matter most; it’s the unwavering truth of the message itself that endures.

Baptism serves as another illustration of circumstances rather than conditions. People have been baptized in all types of water, and the specifics of that water—whether it was running, clean, or dirty—didn't make any difference at all. The location of the water was also inconsequential, as the water itself was not holy or particularly special, regardless of its nature.

Every person who has undergone baptism has been immersed, regardless of the varying circumstances surrounding each individual account. The reason for this immersion lies in its spiritual significance. In Romans 6, starting from verse one, the Apostle Paul emphasizes this in the subsequent verses. The act of immersion is symbolic; it represents a burial and a resurrection. When people are baptized, they are fully immersed, symbolically buried and resurrected. 

Paul reinforces that this act mirrors what Jesus accomplished. While the type and location of water may differ significantly, the manner in which individuals enter and exit the water is what truly matters. They are completely submerged—never sprinkled or merely had water poured over them—because sprinkling and pouring do not reflect the concept of a burial and resurrection. It is only through immersion that one fully symbolizes being buried and resurrected. Though the circumstances may vary, the core conditions remain unchanged.

It is essential to differentiate between a circumstance and a condition. Additionally, we need to distinguish what was merely a custom in the 1st century from what constitutes a principle in the New Testament. The New Testament is an historical document, written in a specific time and place, within a culture and society that are vastly different from our own. The customs of that era were quite distinct. Therefore, as I read God's word, I must discern which aspects were simply customs observed in the 1st century and which are spiritual principles that remain relevant for my own practice. This awareness is crucial in making that distinction between the two.

Do you remember when Paul wrote to the church in Corinth? That church faced several significant issues that created problems among the Christians, much of which related to customs and practices. In 1 Corinthians Chapter 11, there was a specific issue regarding head coverings for women. Notice verse 5: "But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved." Then, in verse 13, Paul admonishes the congregation to “judge among yourselves; is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?”

In the first century, women were instructed to cover their heads—often interpreted as wearing a veil. You can still observe this practice in certain religious groups around the world today, and it’s common to see women wearing veils during worship services, even here in the United States. This raises a question: Is this something we should still be practicing?

I know people who feel strongly about this issue and do choose to wear head coverings. Ultimately, it all traces back to 1 Corinthians Chapter 11, particularly the first half, which discusses the importance of a woman having a veil or head covering. How do we navigate this?

We must focus on God's Word and be diligent if we hope to be approved by God, so we must reflect on what society was like in Corinth. Why were women in 1st century Corinth wearing head coverings, or in some cases, not wearing them? This is a key question. Furthermore, why is Paul so concerned about this matter? He is addressing Christians, yet his emphasis on the necessity for women to wear veils or head coverings suggests that it was indeed a significant issue. Paul devotes a substantial portion of a chapter to this topic, indicating its importance to him.

I need to focus on my work and be diligent if I hope to be approved by God, so I must reflect on what society was like in Corinth. Why were women in 1st century Corinth wearing head coverings, or in some cases, not wearing them? This is a key question. Furthermore, why is Paul so concerned about this matter? He is addressing Christians, yet his emphasis on the necessity for women to wear veils or head coverings suggests that it was indeed a significant issue. Paul devotes a substantial portion of a chapter to this topic, indicating its importance to him.

How would I recognize a godly woman in 1st century Corinth while walking to the marketplace? If I were to see a woman on the street, how could I discern whether she was godly or ungodly? In that society, it was often immediately apparent based on their attire. Immoral women were prevalent in Corinth, many of whom worked in idolatrous temples and engaged in selling their bodies. Notably, those who did not cover their heads—those lacking a veil—were easily identified as immoral, indicating their lifestyle and the nature of their work.

It's no surprise that Paul addresses the issue of head coverings for Corinthian women Christians. In Corinth, if a woman walked down the street without a head covering, people might mistakenly assume she was a temple prostitute or an immoral woman. This was a significant concern in that particular city. Unlike other parts of the Roman Empire in the 1st century, Corinth had its unique social dynamics regarding women's attire. Paul’s admonition to wear a veil was aimed at helping them avoid any association with those professional women.

As for whether Christian women today should wear a veil, the answer is no. In a place like Neosho, for instance, if I encountered a woman without a veil, it wouldn't evoke any particular thoughts—it carries no significant meaning. However, if immoral women in Neosho were to start shaving their heads as a sign of their lifestyle, it would signal something entirely different.

A contemporary equivalent might be women in the sex trade who dress in a manner that openly advertises their profession to anyone who sees them. Such individuals are easily identifiable. It would be inappropriate for a Christian woman to dress in a way that aligns her with prostitution. Paul's overall point remains clear: ensure that your appearance does not identify you with immoral individuals.

There is an important principle to consider: we must ensure that we do not present ourselves in a manner that could associate us with immoral behavior. This is the lesson to be learned—always strive to dress and act in ways that distinguish us from those engaging in immoral conduct.

The final example can be found in 1 Timothy 2, which is quite significant. In 1 Timothy 2, starting from verse 11, Paul writes, "Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman, being deceived, fell into transgression."

Let's pause for a moment. Many people, including some within the Church of Christ, argue that this directive was culturally specific to the 1st century. They suggest that women were expected to submit because it was the societal norm at that time, thus leading Paul to instruct women in the church to learn in silence and submission. However, if Paul hadn't provided further context, we might be inclined to agree with this interpretation, but he did add more to his message.

Paul states that women are to learn in silence and be in submission, refraining from teaching over men. Notably, when he writes to Timothy, he emphasizes that women should learn in submission not because it aligns with societal beliefs or cultural norms, but for a deeper reason. He does not reference the 1st century or the laws of Moses. Instead, he grounds his reasoning in creation—pointing out that Adam was formed first, then Eve, and that Adam was not deceived, whereas Eve was. What relevance do Adam and Eve have to the 1st-century New Testament context? None at all. This is Paul's argument; he asserts that this command and principle are not tied to societal or cultural context, but rather to the divine order of creation, which remains unchanged today.

Just because women hold certain jobs and wield various types of authority today does not change the message that Paul conveyed in the 1st century. Paul stated that what he wrote then is timeless—an eternal principle grounded in the way God created the world. This truth is independent of cultural or societal changes. What Paul communicated to Timothy remains valid since the creation of Adam and Eve, and it will endure until Christ returns. It represents a timeless and eternal principle that requires careful distinction. While some practices in the 1st century were bound to societal norms, such as washing someone's feet, others were not merely incidental but rather essential. We can discern the difference by diligently striving to present ourselves as approved before God, as workmen who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

It is our responsibility to understand what God desires for us, and we can achieve this by being diligent. This journey requires time, effort, energy, and a genuine desire, but it is possible. The world often holds misguided views about salvation and the church; however, the Bible provides clear guidance. When we study and interpret it correctly, we recognize that being born of God is essential, and we must experience this new birth to be saved and to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Bible teaches that a person who believes in Jesus has the Messiah and has surrendered their life to Him. This individual has also made a public confession of their faith. As we discussed, they undergo immersion in water—not because the water is special, but for the forgiveness of sins. They believe that by following God's instructions, their sins will be washed away. This understanding aligns with the accurate interpretation of Scripture, reflecting how God intends for us to comprehend it.