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Handbook
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Sister Patricia Gibson, DBS, ADM, BSM PAEP 301
PAULINE EPISTLES, ALSO KNOWN
AS THE PRISON EPISTLES. 1 Corinthians is a
strong, straightforward letter.. The Christians in Corinth
were struggling with their environment. Surrounded by corruption and every
conceivable sin, they felt the pressure to adapt. They knew they were free in
Christ, but what did this freedom mean? How should they view idols or sexuality?
What should they do about marriage, women in the church, and the gifts of the
Spirit? These were more than theoretical questions—the church was being
undermined by immorality and spiritual immaturity. The believers’ faith was
being tried in the crucible of immoral Corinth, and some of them were failing
the test. Paul heard of their
struggles and wrote this letter to address their problems, heal their divisions,
and answer their questions. Paul confronted them with their sin and their need
for corrective action and clear commitment to Christ. Paul then deals with the immorality of certain church members and the issue of lawsuits among Christians (1 Cor. 5:1-6:8). He tells them to exercise church discipline and to settle their internal matters themselves. Because so many of the problems in the Corinthian church involved sex, Paul denounces sexual sin in the strongest possible terms (1 Cor. 6:9-20). Paul goes on to talk
about worship, and he carefully explains the role of women, the Lord’s Supper,
and spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 11:3-14:39). Sandwiched in the middle of this
section is his magnificent description of the greatest gift—love (1 Cor. 13).
Then Paul concludes with a discussion of the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-58), some
final thoughts, greetings, and a benediction (1 Cor. 16:1-24). In this letter Paul confronted the Corinthians about their sins and shortcomings. In addition, 1 Corinthians calls all Christians to be careful not to blend in with the world and accept its values and life-styles. We must live Christ-centered, blameless, loving lives that make a difference for God. As you read 1 Corinthians, examine your values in light of complete commitment to Christ. BEFORE YOU BEGIN YOUR LESSONS Be sure to follow these instructions. Please spell check your answers. It is important you print your answers to all your lessons in Bold or in Blue Color. This helps the instructor grade your lesson without scanning all your lesson for the answer. King James Version is preferred but other versions are acceptable. Keep your answers in complete sentences but avoid making your sentences too long.
IMPORTANT: Click the following link to learn how to return your lessons to your instructors: http://www.apostolicfaithonline.org/Returningyourlessons.rtf
Click on the lessons below to download your lesson I Corinthians Lesson
One http://www.apostolicfaithonline.org/1Cor1.rtf
II Corinthians Lesson
One http://www.apostolicfaithonline.org/2Corinthians01.rtf Lesson
Six http://www.apostolicfaithonline.org/2Corinthians06.rtf
Lesson Eleven
http://www.apostolicfaithonline.org/2Corinthians11.rtf
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