12The Corinthian Letters Corinthians: Problems of a Local Church Corinthians: Paul’s Apostolic Ministry The Corinthian letters immediately follow Romans in the New Testament canon, though in point of time they were written just before Romans (see Chart 1, p 20) Their location in the canon shows a topical progression when one considers general emphases.1 Observe how this is shown in the accompanying diagram THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST The Corinthian letters apply the Roman letter’s interpretations of the historical books’ facts Seen from another view, the church, which is the subject of the Corinthian letters, is the outcome of salvation, which is the subject of Romans I PREPARATION FOR STUDY A PAUL’S JOURNEYS Review Paul’s missionary journeys and his ministry of writing New Testament letters (Chapter 7) This will help you see clearly just where the Corinthian letters t in the chronological sequence of his writings It will help to adjust your perspective, having just studied Romans B THE LOCAL CHURCH The Corinthian letters, especially Corinthians, focus on the operations of the local church Observe in an exhaustive concordance how often the word church(es) appears in the letters Re ect on the importance of this vital organism of God’s working New Testament references to church are of three different kinds: Invisible church — all believers, whether alive or dead, who are members of Christ’s Body (Read Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23, 25-27.) Visible church at large — a constituency of all believers living at any one time (Acts 8:3; cf “churches” in Acts 9:31) Visible local church — a fellowship of believers who worship in a given locality (e.g., Corinth, Cor 1:2) It is possible for persons to have their names on the membership roll of a church, and not be believers (cf Rev 2-3) A local church, such as the church of Corinth, is a geographically ned fellowship of believers, a visible outworking of the invisible church It is important to have clearly in mind just what the invisible church is and whom it comprises Read Corinthians 10:32, and note the reference to three groups: Jews, Gentiles, and the church of God.2 Chart 69 identi es these in the stream of the human race.3 Refer to this chart in the discussion that follows In the early generations of the human race there were no group distinctions, such as Jew and Gentile All the descendants of Adam were as one family, “children of men,” and God spoke to the whole race, seeking to get all people to obey Him and fellowship with Him The race as a whole refused to this, although there were some ...facts Seen from another view, the church, which is the subject of the Corinthian letters, is the outcome of salvation, which is the subject of Romans I PREPARATION FOR STUDY A... note the reference to three groups: Jews, Gentiles, and the church of God.2 Chart 69 identi es these in the stream of the human race.3 Refer to this chart in the discussion that follows In the. .. B THE LOCAL CHURCH The Corinthian letters, especially Corinthians, focus on the operations of the local church Observe in an exhaustive concordance how often the word church(es) appears in the