Outline.
1. The Corinthian’s Heard
2. The Corinthian’s Believed
3. The Corinthian’s Baptized
Introductory Remarks.
1. In our lesson today, we will discuss the Corinthian Conversion. This lesson will clarify that their conversion experience followed the same “pattern of conversions” outlined in the Book of Acts. This “pattern of conversion,” which included hearing the gospel, believing it, and being baptized, is consistent with the commandments Jesus outlined in His “Great Commission.”
2. First, we will discuss the Corinthians hearing the preaching of the apostle Paul. This begs the question, “What did the Corinthians hear?” What entailed the substance of the preaching of Paul? Luke writes: “And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. And when Silas and Timotheus came from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ,” Acts 18:4-5. Paul preached Jesus as the Son of God and the promised messiah – Christ.
3. Second, we will describe the Corinthian’s belief in the gospel. Luke writes: “And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with his entire house,” Acts 18:8. Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue after hearing of the preaching of Christ, believed on the Lord Jesus with his entire house. However, not all believed in Paul's preaching of Christ. Some disbelieved his message. Notice: "And when they (Jews) opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles, And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue,” Acts 18:4-7.
4. Lastly, we will notice the Corinthian’s baptism as a result of the preaching of the gospel of Christ. The response to the preaching of Christ and the gospel to the believer is an obedient faith and baptism for the remission of sins. The Corinthians, after hearing the gospel or the word of God, "believed and were baptized,” Acts 18:8. Paul, like Peter, Philip, and other ministers of the gospel, preached “faith and baptism” as Christ directed, in the “Great Commission.” Notice: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen,” Matthew 28:19-20.
BODY OF LESSON
I THE CORINTHIAN’S HEARD
A. The preaching of Paul. Luke writes: “And he (Paul) reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. And when Silas and Timotheus came from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ,” Acts 18:4-5. Some believed that Paul was preaching Jesus as Christ. Others rejected his preaching, and he turned to the Gentiles. We will experience this same rejection today due to our preaching of Christ.
B. The encouragement of the Lord. Luke states: “Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them,” Acts 18:9-11. The instruction and promise of the Lord to Paul:
1. “Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace.”
2. “For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee.”
3. “For I have much people in this city.”
4. “Paul continued a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.”
C. The preaching of Christ. Luke writes of Paul’s preaching of Christ. Notice:
1. He is the Son of God: “And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said, is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the very Christ,” Acts 9:20-22. While Paul was in Damascus and Jerusalem, he preached Christ as the Son of God.
2. He is the Christ: “And when Silas and Timotheus came from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ,” Acts 18:5. Paul, while in Macedonia, preached Christ as the Messiah.
3. Apollos also preached Christ. Apollos, a convert of Aquila and Priscilla, would go down to Corinth to preach Christ. He “mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was Christ,” Acts 18:24-28.
D. Paul preached the gospel of Christ. Notice: “I am debtor to the Greeks and the Barbarians; both to the wise and the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, he shall live by faith,” Romans 1:14-17.
E. The preaching of the cross. Paul’s preaching included the cross of Christ. Notice Paul:
1. The cross of Christ. “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God,” 1 Corinthians 1:18.
2. Testimony of God. “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with Excellency of speech or wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, fear, and much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God,” 1 Corinthians 2:1-5.
II THE CORINTHIAN’S BELIEVED
A. Faith comes by hearing. Notice: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” Romans 10:17. To understand this verse, we must consider the words “faith” and “hearing.” Let’s notice these words just for a moment.
1. Faith, Gr: pistis, means: “persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: —assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.”
a. First, Paul asks: “This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” See Galatians 3:2, Galatians 3:5. “Pistis” is the preached system or doctrine of faith; when heard and received, it brings about faith and obedience. See also Ephesians 2:5, Ephesians 2:8-9; Jude 1:3.
b. Further, he reminds: “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe,” 1 Thessalonians 2:13.
c. Finally, he says: “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory,” Ephesians 1:11-12.
2. Belief, Gr: pisteuo, means: “to have faith (in, upon, or concerning, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ): —belief (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.”
a. Jesus states: “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins,” John 8:24.
b. They have not all believed. Notice: “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" See Romans 10:16.
3. Gr: akoe, means: “hearing (the act, the sense or the thing heard): —audience, ear, fame, which ye heard, hearing, preached, report, rumor. The understanding of God’s terms of pardon and forgiveness is learned through hearing the gospel of Christ.”
4. The preaching of Christ, the cross, and the gospel in the city of Corinth brought about “faith or belief in Christ.” This is the “pisteuo” belief due to the “hearing of faith.”
B. Jews did not believe. Notice Luke: “And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he (Paul) shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles, And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue,” Acts 18:6-7. This would be a recurring response to the preaching of Christ by the Jews. See Acts 13:45-46.
C. Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed. Notice: “And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house, and the Corinthians hearing believed,” Acts 18:8.
D. Preaching brings about faith in Christ. Preaching brings about faith. Notice:
1. Philip preached Jesus: “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women,” Acts 8:12.
2. Paul’s preaching of Christ: “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe,” 1 Corinthians 1:21.
3. Faith comes by hearing. “So, faith comes by hearing and the hearing by the word of God,” Romans 10:17.
4. Takes faith to please God: “But without faith (Gr: pistis) it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe (Gr: pisteuo) that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him,” Hebrews 11:6. Illustrate: Faith defined, directed and demonstrated, Hebrews 11:1; Hebrews 11:6, Hebrews 11:7.
a. This verse states that faith is necessary to please God. This verse defines the system of faith instead of the system of law. Notice: “For by grace are ye saved through faith,” Ephesians 2:5, Ephesians 2:8-9.
b. If one would come to know God, one must believe that he is (exists). The seekers of God must have proper faith in God. This faith comes from hearing the preaching of the word of God. Recall Philip's comment to the Ethiopian treasurer: “And Philip said If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,” Acts 8:37. See also Acts 16:31; Acts 18:8.
c. God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. The Hebrew writer affirms that God is pleased and a rewarder of those who seek Him through faith. You may recall that in our lesson, “A Commentary on Faith,” we discussed the idea of faith and obedience. We illustrated it through these examples:
1) Noah lived by faith. Notice if you would that each mention of faith had a corresponding action or act of obedience, Hebrews 11:7. Moses wrote, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord,” Genesis 6:8. God was pleased with the life Noah lived before Him.
a) “By faith, Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet.”
b) “Moved with fear, prepared an ark to save his house.”
c) “By which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith,” 1 Peter 3:20-21 & 2 Peter 2:5. He became a preacher of righteousness.
d) Faith resulted in obedience (on Noah’s part). That faith and obedience pleased God. Who saved Noah and his house and declared him righteous through faith. This was not faith ONLY. This was faith and obedience at work – which culminated in the salvation of his house, “by which he condemned the old world, and he became an heir of righteousness which is by faith,” Hebrews 11:7.
e) Baptism is a like figure to the ark, 1 Peter 3:20-21.
2) By faith Abraham. “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure,” Hebrews 11:17-19. See also Genesis 22:1ff; James 2:21-24.
3) By faith, Israel. “By faith, they (the people of God) passed through the Red Sea as by dry land (were saved): which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned,” Hebrews 11:29.
a) By faith, they passed through the Red Sea. See also Exodus 14:30-31.
b) Baptized unto Moses under the cloud and in the sea. 1 Corinthians 10:1-4.
c) Here, we see the children of Israel being saved through faith and obedience (baptism) as they moved by faith through the Red Sea.
d) Therefore, faith and baptism saved Israel “that day.”
e) Just like faith and baptism save us today, Mark 16:15-16.
E. Believing the gospel is part of the Great Commission. Christ made faith necessary for salvation. But it was never faith by itself. Notice:
1. The Great Commission as presented by Matthew: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen,” Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus makes teaching and baptism part of the “great commission.”
2. The Great Commission as presented by Mark: “And he said unto them, Go ye into the entire world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned,” Mark 16:15-16.
3. The great commission required teaching, preaching, belief, and baptism to be saved. The conversion of the Corinthians was consistent with the great commission and the “pattern of conversions” as outlined in the Book of Acts.
III THE CORINTHIAN’S BAPTIZED
A. The Corinthian’s baptized. Notice: “And many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized,” Acts 18:8. Is baptism part of the conversion experience? Is one saved before baptism or through baptism? This is a lost message by many who claim to be preachers of the gospel of Christ.
1. Baptize, Gr:, baptizo, means: “to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e., fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism: —Baptist, baptize, wash.”
2. Baptism is a "washing." Paul speaks of the Corinthians: "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and the Spirit of our God," 1 Corinthians 6:11, 1 Corinthians 12:13. Recall Ananias instruction to Saul? Notice: "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord," Acts 22:16. This verse includes both words "baptized" and "wash." Therefore, in "baptism," Saul "washed away his sins." This was also true of the Corinthians after "hearing, believed, and were baptized" to wash away their sins.
3. Baptism is an act of obedience described in the “Great Commission,” Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16.
4. Baptism is the final part of the conversion experience. It is witnessed in the “pattern of conversions” as outlined in the Book of Acts.
5. Baptism is part of the “new birth,” John 3:3, John 3:5; Titus 3:5.
B. Peter’s preaching regarding baptism. You may recall in the lesson, “The Pentecostal’s Conversion?” Peter preached “repentance and baptism” unto those seekers of salvation when they asked: “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter’s reply for these sinners was to: “Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost,” Acts 2:36-38.
C. Philip and Peter’s preaching regarding baptism. Notice Luke:
1. First, to the Samaritans: “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women,” Acts 8:12.
2. Further, to the Ethiopian Treasurer: “What doth hinder me to be baptized? If thou believeth with all thine heart, thou mayest,” Acts 8:36-37.
3. Finally, to the house of Cornelius: “For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord and then prayed they him to tarry certain days,” Acts 10:46-48.
D. Paul’s preaching regarding baptism. To the Corinthians, he wrote: “I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; lest any should say that I had baptized in my name. And I also baptized Stephanas's household: besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect,” 1 Corinthians 1:14-17. Also: “And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with his entire house…,” Acts 18:8. Paul states he had baptized:
1. Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue in Corinth. He was a convert from the synagogue.
2. Gaius, a convert of Macedonia. Notice: “And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre,” Acts 19:29, Acts 20:4; Romans 16:23; 3 John 1:1.
3. Stephanas, a convert of Corinth. Notice:
a. First, “I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,),” 1 Corinthians 16:15.
b. Also, “I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part, they have supplied,” 1 Corinthians 16:17.
4. These three converts were immersed into Christ by Paul's hands. Though there were many more converts, they were not immersed into Christ by Paul but by others who accompanied him in his work of Christ.
E. Paul sent not to baptize. Paul states: “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect,” 1 Corinthians 1:17. Now this brings us to the discussion of whether Paul’s preaching included baptism. Many would argue the phrase: “Christ sent me not to baptize” means baptism was not necessary as an act of faith in New Testament conversion. None could suggest that this is the meaning of the text. Christ sent Paul to preach the gospel of Christ. As a result of his preaching, the Corinthians heard, believed, and were baptized into the body of Christ. Let me conclude with John's writing of Jesus baptizing his disciples. Notice:
1. Jesus baptized more disciples. Notice: “When the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee,” John 4:1-3.
2. Jesus was sent to preach the "kingdom of God is at hand," Matthew 4:17.
3. Jesus was not sent to baptize, but his disciples (Peter, John, etc.) did so.
4. Paul was sent to "preach the gospel of Christ," Romans 1:14-17.
5. Paul was not sent to do the baptizing. Paul’s disciples did the baptizing "in the name of the Lord Jesus,” Acts 19:1-7.
6. Preachers and teachers are sent to “make disciples by preaching, teaching, and baptizing in the name of Jesus Christ," Acts 2:38. Before I conclude this lesson, let me review what we have discussed.
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
1. The Corinthian’s Heard
2. The Corinthian’s Believed
3. The Corinthian’s Baptized
B. Summarize main points.
1. First, we discussed the Corinthian’s hearing the preaching of the apostle Paul. This begs the question, “What did the Corinthians hear?” What entailed the substance of the preaching of Paul? Luke writes: “And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. And when Silas and Timotheus came from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ,” Acts 18:4-5. Paul preached Jesus as the Son of God and the promised messiah – Christ.
2. Second, we described the Corinthian’s belief in the gospel. Luke writes: “And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with his entire house,” Acts 18:8. Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue after hearing of the preaching of Christ, believed on the Lord Jesus Christ with his entire house. However, not all believed in Paul's preaching of Christ. Some disbelieved his preaching. Notice: And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles, And he departed thence and entered into a confident man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue,” Acts 18:4-7.
3. Lastly, we noticed the Corinthian’s baptism due to the preaching of the gospel of Christ. The response to the preaching of Christ and the gospel to the believer is an obedient faith and baptism for the remission of sins. The Corinthians, after hearing the gospel or the word of God: “Many believed, and were baptized,” Acts 18:8. Paul, like Peter, Philip, and other ministers of the gospel, preached “faith and baptism” as Christ directed in the “Great Commission.” Notice: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen,” Matthew 28:19-20.
C. Invitation. Present God’s pattern of conversion. Jesus said: “Come unto me all ye that labor,” Matthew 11:28-30. [Explain the POC, i.e., hearing and believing the gospel; repentance of all past sins, Luke 24:44-47; confessing faith in Christ, as the Son of God, Matthew 10:32-33; and then, by obeying the gospel, Romans 10:16-18; Romans 6:17-18; that is to: “repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost,” Acts 2:38; Acts 5:31-32; Ephesians 1:13-14].
D. Exhortation. “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved,” Jeremiah 8:20.
E. Motivation. Do as Peter directed: “Save thyself,” Acts 2:40; Acts 2:36-39; Acts 2:41.
This lesson was updated by Ron Freeman, Evangelist, on 9/16/2024.
.
