From Pagan Darkness To Marvellous Light

by George Prasher, Manchester, England | Category: New Testament Churches Of God | Jun 1999

The Church of God in Corinth is featured prominently in the New Testament scriptures. In considering this Church the words of Romans 5:20 spring to mind '...where sin abounded grace did abound more exceedingly'. For in Paul's day the city of Corinth had an unsavoury reputation. This is one historian's comment: 'Corinth was depraved. Going beyond the licentiousness of other trading cities and ports it lent its own name as the symbol of debauchery and corruption'. Yet divine grace was to abound more exceedingly in that city. 'I have much people in this city' were the Lord's reassuring words to Paul (Acts 18:10). The love of Christ would touch the hearts of the worst of men - immoral, idolatrous, thieves, extortioners and the like. They would be justified and sanctified 'in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Spirit of our God' (1 Cor. 6:11). They would form part of God's building, a temple of the living God who graciously said:

I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people (2 Cor. 6:16).

They would cleanse themselves 'from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God' (2 Cor. 7:1).

When Paul went to Corinth he determined to know nothing among them except 'Jesus Christ, and him crucified' (1 Cor. 2:2). Greek thought, with its love of human philosophy and reasoning was admired by many Corinthians. But God would destroy the wisdom of the wise and reject the prudence of the prudent. Paul by-passed these reasonings. In deeply-felt personal weakness this mighty evangelist presented the word of the Cross. To Jews it was a stumbling block and to the Gentiles foolishness. But to those that are called, both Jews and Greeks, the message of Christ crucified was 'the power of God and the wisdom of God' (1 Cor. 1:18-25).

So it proved in Corinth. For as we learn from Acts chapter 18, when Paul arrived there he stayed with a Jewish couple Aquila and Priscilla. Being of the same trade he worked with them at tent-making. Each sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. After Silas and Timothy joined him, Paul more strongly faced the Corinthian Jews with the challenge that Jesus was the Christ. Most of them rejected the message, causing Paul to say, 'Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles' (v.6). Yet God granted a notable token of encouragement in that Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue believed in the Lord with all his house. Striking example of the Jewish 'remnant according to the election of grace'! (Rom. 11:5).

As Paul and his helpers turned their energies towards the pagan Gentiles 'many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized' (v.8). The Lord appeared personally to Paul assuring him of protection and much fruit from his service in Corinth. So he continued there for a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

The result was the establishment and growth of a Church of God in Corinth with a large percentage of converts from paganism. They may have lacked the spiritual background of disciples who were formerly God-fearing Jews with a knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures. Yet Paul gave thanks for the grace of God that was given them in Christ Jesus: in everything they were enriched in Him, in all utterance and knowledge. The testimony of Christ was confirmed in them; they came behind in no gift, waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1:4-7). Churches of God in apostolic times differed a good deal in background and in the spiritual experiences of the disciples involved. The Corinthian Church notably illustrates the power of the gospel and the energy of the divine Spirit in uplifting people from deep, pagan darkness to marvellous spiritual light.

It must have seemed strange to the Corinthian disciples when Paul, Aquila and Priscilla all departed from their city. From its beginning the Church in Corinth had greatly benefited from their help; but the opposition of the Jewish synagogue party had smouldered on throughout the eighteen months of Paul's ministry. It burst into flames when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, and Paul was brought before him as a trouble maker. Although Gallio dismissed the case, caring for none of these things (Acts 18:12-16), the circumstances seemed to indicate that Paul should sail for Syria. His Jewish friends, Aquila and Priscilla, accompanied him as far as Ephesus.

It was at Ephesus that this worthy pair heard the careful teaching of Apollos, a learned Alexandrian Jew, with a thorough understanding of the Old Testament Scriptures. There was, however, a gap in his knowledge as he knew 'only the baptism of John' (v.25). Priscilla and Aquila explained to him the way of God more perfectly. What a delightfully humble spirit was shown by Apollos! He was ready to be guided into further truth despite his expert knowledge and outstanding eloquence. Apollos was encouraged to visit Corinth, and there 'he helped them much which had believed through grace' (v.27). So where Paul had planted Apollos watered, to the great spiritual enrichment of the Church of God in Corinth. How glad they would be also to have such an able champion against Jewish opposition in their city. 'For he powerfully confuted the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ' (v.28).

Once again we can discern the strong links between the New Testament churches of God. They together formed the spiritual kingdom of God, according to the Lord's word that the kingdom would be taken away from Israel and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits of the kingdom (Mat. 21:43). Paul and Apollos were fellow-workers unto the kingdom. The churches of God were bound together as one people, one kingdom. Throughout all the churches the same doctrine was to be taught and practised, that they might all be one.

George Prasher, Manchester, England | Jun 1999
New Testament Churches Of God