In the second chapter of his first letter to the church in Corinth, the Apostle Paul wrote that the Word of God functions in several capacities in the life (“walk”) of the true saints (sanctified ones) within the church (1:2). Primarily, it functions as THE separating factor that distinguishes between a true sheep and a goat in sheep’s clothing. The writings of the original apostles reveal that, after the first generation, God’s obedient saints came to comprise an ever smaller part of the church’s membership. For example, Paul wrote to the Corinthian church between 55 and 57 A.D.–approximately 35 years after her founding. By that time rightness was being determined by the less conservative wing of the church. This is revealed by the fact that the church was not only allowing one of their members to engage in adultery, but was proud of their progressive form of Christianity. If the true saints had been in the majority they would not have allowed that situation to develop. Read about it in chapter five. The situation was so bad that Paul told them that if someone presented to them “another Jesus” they would embrace him (2 Cor. 11:4).

The Corinthian church was not alone. In his letter to the churches of Galatia, Paul expressed his shock at learning that they had already rejected the Gospel they had originally received in favor of a “perverted” gospel. Read Who are God’s People? and “My People Who Are Called by My Name. Key words–People and Called respectively. In those series the reader will find proof that nothing has changed. Today, God’s Very Elect saints comprise only a tiny minority within what is called “Christianity” or “the church.” Seeing this coming, Paul tells true Christians to physically distance themselves from the main body (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1).

Initially, everyone in a geographical area who claimed allegiance to Jesus Christ would meet together on God’s weekly Sabbath. Normally, the people would congregate in the home of one of the believers. Being rejected by both the Jewish hierarchy and the ruling Roman Empire, the followers of Jesus were surrounded by those who rejected Him. Though the people in the churches did not all have the same beliefs, as chapter five attests, they had a common enemy which made it essential for them to present a united front. It would not be until Philadelphia Era of the church (from the early 1930’s until the late 1980s) that there came a physical separation between God’s true, Law-keeping saints and the two-headed, multi-bodied religious abomination that had long ago come to be known as “Christianity.” It was the developing of the Philadelphia Era of church history that God’s true saints physically separated from the other 99% of professing Christendom. Read about the seven church eras using the key word–Eras. Note especially Christ’s description of the modern day Laodicean Church which will usher in the Great Tribulation.

In this series we find Paul writing to the entire Corinthian Church as noted in chapter three. Note in chapter two that he lays the foundation for his message by emphasizing the WORD OF GOD–THE OLD TESTAMENT AND THE PREACHING AND WRITINGS OF CHRIST’S APOSTLES that would eventually come to be known as the New Testament. The combination of the two Testaments came to be known as the Holy Bible. As Paul tells us, the writings of the prophets and apostles together became the foundation upon which the New Testament Church was founded (Eph. 2:20). Let us now turn to chapter two and learn what he says about the Lord’s written Words which make them so eternally important.

In verse one Paul reminds those in the church that he had visited with them earlier at which time he presented the Word of God as His (God’s) TESTIMONY. That word in the original Greek language means “PROOF” and “WITNESS.” In Matthew 24:14 we find Jesus confirming this when He tells His disciples that: “This Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a WITNESS unto all nations, then the end (of God’s ministry) will come.” Further reading shows that the ending of the Lord’s ministry will usher in the Great Tribulation followed by the Day of the Lord–a 3 1/2 year time of death and destruction such as the world has never experienced (vs 21). Read about this terrible time using the key word Tribulation.

In verse four Paul writes that during his previous visit his preaching had not been with “enticing WORDS OF MAN’S WISDOM, but in demonstration of the Holy Spirit and power.” Note that God’s Words contain His power for those in whom the Holy Spirit abides–the sanctified saint who is led by the Spirit. For this reason those whom God has appointed and anointed to be His messengers must be especially careful what they say. Again, God’s power lies in His Words, which comprise His TESTIMONY OF HIMSELF AND PROOF THAT HIS TESTIMONY IS TRUE. The power of God’s spoken Word is revealed time and again in the New Testament. A few examples will make this clear.

We will begin with the creation of the universe. In Psalms 33:4-9 where we are told that “by the Word of the Lord the heavens and everything in them were made by the breath of His mouth. He spoke and it was DONE. He commanded and it (that which He had spoken into existence) stood in place.” In Matthew 21:19-20 we find Jesus, being hungry, approached a fig tree expecting to find fruit. It had none. He spoke to the tree and it immediately withered. In another instance He spoke to a raging storm on the Sea of Galilee and immediately the storm stopped and there was “a great calm” (Mk. 4:36-39). Many times Jesus, as well as His apostles, spoke to demons residing inside of people and they had to come out. Today that act is called a “deliverance.” God’s command to His modern-day apostles has not changed. The most demons I have cast out of one person was 33. Read Matthew 10:8 and John 14:12 to know what God’s anointed apostles are commanded to do today.

Another example of the power of the Lord’s words is found in Matthew 14:25-31 where Jesus was walking on water at night some distance from the disciples. After being assured that it was Jesus out there in the dark, Peter said, “Lord, Command me to come to you.” Jesus said, “Come,” and Peter walked to Him on the water. Peter understood the power of Christ’s Words. Jesus made it happen with His WORD/WITNESS/PROOF–not what someone says ABOUT His Words, but HIS WORDS AS WRITTEN BY THE PROPHETS AND APOSTLES–“HOLY MEN OF OLD WHO SPOKE (AND WROTE) AS THEY WERE MOVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT” (2 Pet. 1:21). L.J.