We began our study of 1 Corinthians 12 in earnest today, with Paul reminding the readers that they were idol worshiping Gentiles before they were born again. It is important that we always remind ourselves that we were saved out of a life of sin and death.
Ephesians 2:1-3: And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Not only are we to remember where we came from, but understand that no truly born again person would ever call Jesus accursed. John clarifies this in his general epistle identifying anyone who would call Jesus accursed, as not a true born again believer.
1 John 2:18-23: Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.1 John 4:1-3: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
This is all in preparation with dealing with these 3 chapters concerning the gifts! We must be careful not to claim gifts from the first century with a specific focus on reaching Jews, to where we are in the 21st Century. We will continue in verse 3 and following next Sunday.