A Biblical Vision, Part II: Mastering the New Testament Witness to Christ

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A B i b l i ca l Vi s i on, Par t I I : Mas ter i ng the New Tes tament Wi tnes s to Chr i s t

a. Called to holiness, to sanctification, to live as the saints of God, 1 Cor. 1.2 – To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours.

b. Approximately the same length of Romans, but dramatically different in approach and themes

(1) Diverse number of themes

(2) Pastoral instruction on how to relate the call of holiness in Christ to various relationships and issues (3) Addressing particular questions asked of Paul in a previous letter (cf. 1 Cor. 5.9). Note: the Corinthians sent a delegation to Paul with a letter (see 1 Cor. 7.1; 16.17).

c. An example of how to apply the truth of Christ as our Savior and Sanctifier within a morally compromised situation

d. Task theology of Paul to the Corinthians in the first epistle

(1) Dealing with divisions and party spirit, 1 Cor. 1-4

(2) Dealing with sexual and moral scandals, 1 Cor. 5-6

(3) Dealing with Christian marriage, ch. 7

(4) Dealing with issues of Christian liberty in the body, 1 Cor. 8-11

(5) Dealing with cultural issues of attire, gender roles, questions about dress, ch. 11