Epistles (written)

Wednesday, 15 October 2014

You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. 1 Corinthians 10:21

Paul, having established that a believer who participates in a pagan ritual would actually be fellowshipping with demons admonishes the Corinthians that, “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons.” His words do not indicate an impossibility of physically carrying out such an action. Rather, they indicate the moral impossibility of it. This is certain because of what he will say in the next verse. We can actually do what he is warning against, but if we do then we are severing a tie of fellowship with the Lord when we do it. As he says in his second epistle –

“…what accord has Christ with Belial?” 2 Corinthians 6:15

The answer is that there is no accord between the two. By participating in pagan rituals, we stand alone with the demon and apart from Christ. This is because “you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.” It is an “either/or” situation. The severity of our actions in this matter is noted by Paul in the next chapter. There he will say the following which is a precept that certainly includes the instruction he is now giving –

“Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. ²⁸ But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. ²⁹ For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” 1 Corinthians 11:27-29

In fact, Paul continues in this same set of verses noting the consequences of such actions. They were consequences already seen among the Corinthians –

“For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. ³¹ For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. ³² But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:30-32

We must take care in how we conduct ourselves. The Lord protects His name jealously and is never pleased when His saved children bring discredit upon it.

Having said this, it should be noted that Paul’s words here record the first instance of the words “the Lord’s table.” This terminology has been used by faithful followers of Christ for 2000 years as we have proclaimed “the Lord’s death till He comes.” The taking of communion in observance of this is one of the two ordinances commanded by the Lord – baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Be sure to partake of this with gratitude and humility.

Life application: The Lord’s Supper is a high honor to participate in. Some churches offer it a couple times a year, some once every month or two, but there is nothing wrong and everything right with taking it every time a congregation comes together. It is a continual reminder of the wondrous work of Christ for us.

Lord, when I come to the table and receive the elements of my faith, I am humbled and honored to know what they represent. In Your perfection, You came and fulfilled the law which stood against us and which condemned us. And then, in Your great grace and mercy, You gave Your perfect life in exchange for my sins. They are nailed to the cross along with the law. In You I am set free. I thank You and honor You, and I proclaim Your death until You come again as I receive the bread and wine. Thank You for this privilege. Amen.

Tuesday, 14 October 2014

Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 1 Corinthians 10:20

In this, Paul makes a contrast to his previous thought. It read, “What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything?” The meat which had been sacrificed to an idol was merely meat, nothing more. In the verses ahead he will show that we can eat such meat without regard to our conscience (verse 27). However, to ensure that he isn’t misunderstood, he does acknowledge that food sacrificed to idols is nothing and then immediately inserts “rather.”

The meat is unchanged, but the sacrifice itself is wholly inappropriate to participate in. His words to support this are almost a reflection of a verse from Deuteronomy 32. In that passage, Moses speaks of the people sacrificing to false gods which are not God and thus they “forgot the God who gave” them birth. Here are his words –

“They sacrificed to demons, not to God, To gods they did not know, To new gods, new arrivals That your fathers did not fear. ¹⁸ Of the Rock who begot you, you are unmindful, And have forgotten the God who fathered you.” Deuteronomy 32:17, 18

By participating in a pagan sacrifice, they are turning from God to a non-god who is actually a demon. If the ritual isn’t to God, then it must be to either the devil or a force under the control of the devil. This is the battle we are constantly facing; a spiritual battle against wicked powers. We are told about this in Ephesians 6. There Paul describes the reality of the situation as well as the protection we are to take against it. In verse 12, he says this –

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

As this is the reality of our actions, we should never presume to attend a pagan sacrifice. Paul warns against it because, as he says, “I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.” Rather, we are to live in holiness and the exalting of the true God through our worship of Jesus Christ.

Life application: We cannot participate in pagan rituals and come out unscathed. Stand on the word, cling to the Lord, and fix your eyes and thoughts on Him alone.

Precious heavenly Father, there are so many temptations in this life that creep in when I least expect them. How often I walk along, fellowshipping with You and feeling like I have everything under control. But then all of a sudden, I find myself thinking about or even acting on something which is completely contrary to what You would have for me. Then, I am reminded of my failings and my need to cling to You. Please give my fingers the strength to cling and never let go. And I will also remember that You have Your strong hand on me as well. I am secure in You because of Christ my Lord. Thank You for this assurance. Amen.

Monday, 13 October 2014

What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 1 Corinthians 10:19

In 1 Corinthians 8:4, Paul affirmed that an idol is actually nothing. The fact that man worships something other than the Creator in no way means that it is anything other than the material it is comprised of – metal, wood, flesh, etc. In reality, it is an ineffective lie. Isaiah even uses that term when speaking of idols –

And no one considers in his heart, Nor is there knowledge nor understanding to say, “I have burned half of it in the fire, Yes, I have also baked bread on its coals; I have roasted meat and eaten it; And shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?” ²⁰ He feeds on ashes; A deceived heart has turned him aside; And he cannot deliver his soul, Nor say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?” Isaiah 44:19, 20

Understanding this, Paul made the affirmation that, “an idol is nothing in the world” and that “there is no other God but one” (1 Corinthians 8:4). Since that time though, Paul has been using examples of God’s judgment on Israel for following after idols. And then in the verse preceding this one he said, “Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?” With this noted, some might come to the conclusion that he is equating the participation in an idolatrous sacrifice with that of the participation in the true temple sacrifices.

And so he asks, “What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything?” His answer is, “No,” and it is not what he is indicating. Rather, he is showing that the participation in the true temple sacrifices produced a bond between the people. “Israel after the flesh” was united as one, regardless of whether they actually believed in God or not. They went to the feasts, sacrificed at the temple, and ate of their offerings. Thus they were united in their rituals. If a believer were to join with pagans in their sacrifices, those pagans would feel this person was united to them in their belief. Thus he would appear to validate the idol as something even though it is “nothing in the world.”

Life application: Our business is to exalt Christ, not idols, demons, angels, Mary, the saints, or anything or anyone else. Let us then exalt Christ, through whom God will receive His just glory.

Lord God, today I would pray that when people see me, they would say “That guy is a reasonable fellow and he really believes in Christ Jesus. I want some of what he has got.” Use me, O God, to lead others to Christ. Amen.

Sunday, 12 October 2014

Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?  1 Corinthians 10:18

Paul has been speaking about the Lord’s Supper and our partaking of it. How does that fit in with participating in pagan sacrifices? To do both would be completely contrary to the purpose of partaking in the Lord’s Supper. As an example for them to consider, he now brings in a lesson from the law itself. In this, he begins with, “Observe Israel after the flesh.” This is an unfortunate translation when rendered by the NIV and some other translations which say something like “Consider the people of Israel. In Greek it reads blepete ton israel kata sarka – “Consider Israel according to the flesh.” He is making a statement about Israel who participated in the sacrifices at the Temple, regardless of whether they were really right with God or not, hence the term “according to the flesh.”

All of Israel would go to Jerusalem and offer their offerings to God. Some truly believed and some simply went through the motions, but the sacrifices brought the people together as one. It separated them as a people and showed their united allegiance under the God whom they served. When they went to these sacrifices, they actually participated in most of them. Some, such as the sin offering, were completely burnt up. But most of them were handled differently as Paul notes in the form of a rhetorical question, ” Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?” The question demands an affirmative answer. “Yes, they are.”

A portion of the sacrifice was burned on the altar, a portion of it was given to the priest who conducted the ritual, and the rest of the offering was returned to the one who offered it for him (and his family if applicable) to eat. In this, he participated in what was offered. But it wasn’t mere participation, instead the word Paul uses is koinonoi. It was a communion with the altar, just as we commune in the Lord’s Supper.

Regardless of whether these Israelites were “circumcised in the heart” or merely national Israelites who were only going through the motions, their sacrifices were a communion with the altar and they were thus identified with that altar, with the people of Israel, and with the God to whom the sacrifices were made. If this was the perception by all who saw them as they offered, and if it was also the perception of their fellow Israelites who looked at one another as a corporate body, then doesn’t our participation in the Lord’s supper convey the same concepts? Likewise, what would people think if they saw us at the sacrifice to an idol?

Regardless of whether these Israelites were “circumcised in the heart” or merely national Israelites who were only going through the motions, their sacrifices were a communion with the altar and they were thus identified with that altar, with the people of Israel, and with the God to whom the sacrifices were made. If this was the perception by all who saw them as they offered, and if it was also the perception of their fellow Israelites who looked at one another as a corporate body, then doesn’t our participation in the Lord’s supper convey the same concepts? Likewise, what would people think if they saw us at the sacrifice to an idol?

Regardless of whether the idol is a true god or not (and we know that it isn’t), that is irrelevant to the perception we are giving others by our actions if we participate in such a sacrifice when it is made. Paul shows that our actions have consequences because they produce perceptions in the eyes of others which may become a stumbling-block to them.

Life application: Paul shows us that the conscience of others is an important consideration for us as we conduct ourselves as Christians. We need to be understanding of others in our actions which could cause them to misunderstand our freedoms in Christ. However, this does not include all things that people may find offensive. If someone doesn’t like something we do, like eating meat because they are vegetarians, that is their problem and not ours. Discernment and understanding of what could be considered a stumbling-block to others takes time to learn.

Lord give me discernment in order to know
What actions may harm the faith of another
In this walk with You, it is my desire to show
What is right in order to instruct my brother

Let me not be the cause of him to stumble
But instead help me to be a good guide to show him Jesus
What good is it to the team if I make the ball fumble
That can only harm the goal set before us

And so O God, help me to stick close to Your word
And to always bring honor to Jesus my Lord

Heavenly Father, help my actions to be right and pure in Your eyes. Grant me the wisdom to conduct myself in a way which will keep others from stumbling in their own desire to know if You are God. Likewise keep me from hindering another’s growth in You if they already have faith in You. In all things, let me not diminish You in the eyes of others, but rather exalt You and bring You the glory You deserve. Amen.

Saturday, 11 October 2014

For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread. 1 Corinthians 10:17

In this verse, Paul builds upon the thought that, “The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” He just stated this and now begins with “for we” in order to continue and expand upon those words. There is a grand church, filled with many people from many cultures and places. It is filled with men and women, young and old, and from people of every color. And yet, despite this diversity, we “are one bread and one body.” The word “and” is not in the original and so a semicolon shows the thought better – “We are one bread; one body.”

And the reason for this is that “we all partake of that one bread.” Paul just showed that the bread is to be considered “communion” with “the body of Christ.” Bread is made of many individual kernels of grain and yet it becomes one unified substance. Likewise, we are individually many people and yet we are “one bread” when we are in Christ. This brings up an obvious question – “Does the taking of the communion bread result in our being one body?” The question is important because it is the basis for what Paul is writing about in the first place.

In the coming verses, Paul is going to tell the Corinthians (and thus us) “I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.” He will say this in relation to participating in sacrifices to idols and then he will build on that by saying, “… you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.” If thought through logically then, the actual bread is not what makes us “one bread.” Rather it is the reception of Jesus Christ as Savior that unites us. The bread then is a symbolic representation of this. It is our way of remembering this bond and communing with the Lord in that remembrance.

And so why is this important? The answer is that 1) It makes no sense for a non-believer to participate in the Lord’s Supper. 2) The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic participation only; it is not literally the Body of Christ (Roman Catholicism), nor does it mean that we are “spiritually” united with Christ when we take the elements (Calvin). If these were so, then anyone who was a non-believer would be either literally or spiritually communing with the Lord during the reception of the elements. Paul excludes this.

His words here are intended to instruct us that communion is a public demonstration of an inward reality, just as baptism is to be an outward proclamation of a change that has been rendered in one’s life. Both are after-the-fact pictures and remembrances of the work of the Lord. Therefore, if we were to eat at the sacrifice of an idol (not the meat itself, but at the ritual of the sacrifice) then we are indicating to those around us that we are willing participants in that particular society or religion, including everything that it constitutes. And yet, if we are truly saved Christians, that participation has no true bearing on our position in Christ. Therefore, the consumption of the meat of the sacrifice cannot be the actual participation with that demon to which it is offered.

This may seem to be splitting hairs, but to Paul it is an immensely important theological distinction that he will explain in detail in verse 23-33. We can eat (as Paul clearly states and allows) the meat that was sacrificed to an idol without any worry that it will defile us because it cannot defile us. In the same way, a person who is not saved and yet takes the elements of the Lord’s Supper cannot be made holy through those elements. It is the participation in the ritual that Paul is especially concerned with, not the actual element that is used.

Life application: The careful evaluation of the details which build into a biblical doctrine are important for many reasons. If they are misinterpreted or misunderstood, then further departures from the truth of Christ are inevitable. Eventually, entire systems of improperly administered teachings will prevail. As Paul said earlier in 1 Corinthians “a little leaven leavens the whole lump.” He repeats this in Galatians 5 and equates it directly with proper doctrine.

Lord God, help my doctrine to be pure and undefiled. Give me wisdom to understand Your word and not to depart from it, such as adding anything to it which You have not ordained, or  such as taking away from it something which You require of us. Seeing how just a small departure can lead to enormous heresy, I would ask that You send me proper teachers who will exalt Your word alone and who would rightly divide it and carefully present it. Thank You for responding to this most important matter. Amen.