"Called to Be Saints" Season Three/Episode Three -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Feb 2, 2024
The conversation dives into Paul’s affirmation of his authority amidst challenges in the Corinthian church. Listeners explore the concept of 'ecclesia,' highlighting the church's identity as a divine assembly. Grace takes center stage as Paul emphasizes thanksgiving and spiritual transformation among believers. The discussion delves into the significance of spiritual gifts and the call for unity, encouraging a departure from past pagan influences. Finally, the anticipation of Christ's return is explored, reminding believers of their blameless status and urging holiness.
49:36
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Paul's Divine Apostolic Authority
Paul's apostolic authority is divinely appointed through his encounter with the risen Christ, not by human choice or charisma.
He writes with authority to correct and instruct the Corinthians amid challenges to his office.
insights INSIGHT
One Church of God Called Out
The church in Corinth is the one church of God, composed of those sanctified in Christ and called out from the nations.
This term ecclesia links the church with Israel's history as God's holy people, establishing church unity.
insights INSIGHT
Sanctification as Definitive Status
Sanctification is a definitive, perfect act by which believers are holy through union with Christ, not based on personal holiness levels.
All believers are saints set apart for God’s purposes, mirroring temple vessels consecrated for service.
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In the opening 9 verses of Paul’s first Corinthian letter, Paul sets the stage for what is to come. Although he was in Corinth for some eighteen months and knew many of those to whom he is writing quite well, his apostolic authority was being challenged by some in the congregation. Paul must address this matter by reminding the Corinthians of his apostolic office and calling.
Although we might expect a stern rebuke given what Paul has heard about what was going on in Corinth, instead we find the apostle giving thanks for the grace given the Corinthians in the gospel. The apostle opens his letter by reminding the Corinthians of the fact that despite the divisions and troubles which plagued them (and which need to cease), those who truly believed the gospel he had preached to them were recipients of God’s grace in Jesus Christ. As such, the Corinthians were “saints,” called to be holy. But their “set apart status” requires the Corinthians live out the holiness they had received as God’s gracious gift.
Paul focuses upon the ecclesia (church) in Corinth as all those who together have been called out from the nations for the purpose of assembling for the purpose of hearing God’s word preached (reminding them that grace is a gift given to them freely through the gospel), celebrating the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper (as signs and seals of God’s promises in the gospel), and where they are to exercise the spiritual gifts given to them for the sake of building up the body of Jesus Christ.
Christ’s church is one and therefore not to be characterized by divisions and factions, but by love for all those whom God has reckoned as holy in Jesus Christ. The Corinthians are to love one another in the grace and peace extended to them through Jesus Christ and which is now declared to them (and upon them) through Paul’s opening blessing in this letter. Indeed, they have been called to be holy.
For show notes and other recommended materials located at the Riddleblog as mentioned during the Blessed Hope Podcast, click here: https://www.kimriddlebarger.com/
The Blessed Hope Podcast -- with Dr. Kim Riddlebarger 
