From the Pen of Paul

The "more excellent way"—The Characteristics of Love
(Part 7)

Note: We are continuing to look at what Paul calls the "more excellent way"—characteristics of love.

We continue this week in our study of "the more excellent way" as presented by Paul in I Corinthians 13. Last week we observed Paul's statement that "love never fails" (v. 8) introduces, by way of contrast, the transitory nature of the miraculous spiritual gifts, prophecy, tongues and knowledge. It was not necessary for Paul to repeat each spiritual gift in the whole list for one to understand that all of the miraculous spiritual gifts were to be eliminated when the completed revelation was given. All of these gifts pertained to the introductory period of the church; they were given to enable the early church to accomplish what they could not accomplish without the completed New Testament.

"For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away" (v. 9-10). While spiritual gifts served a useful and necessary purpose, they were, at best, only in part; they were not the "perfect" (complete) thing; nor were they ever intended to be! They were to give way to that which is perfect. But what is Paul speaking about? What is this perfect thing to which he alludes? Some have answered by saying, "It is Christ or it is the perfection that will be known when Christ comes." However, there is no reference in this context to the coming of Christ.

The word "perfect" carries the meaning of "mature" when it is referring to people as in I Corinthians 2:6. But when it refers to things (as in this verse before us), it means the end or purpose achieved—completion or complete. For balance in our text it is necessary for that which was in part to balance with that which is complete. The things which were in part (these miraculous spiritual gifts) were used by the Lord to bring the revelation of His will to man (Hebrews 2:1-4). Without the work of the apostles we would never have known the "wisdom of God." (I Cor. 2:9-16) These spiritual gifts given by the Spirit through the laying on of apostolic hands made it possible for others to reveal the same wisdom of God. But, when this revelation was committed to writing, as it was in the first century, there remained no further purpose to be fulfilled by these gifts. Therefore, when the completed revelation (the Bible) came, the things that were "in part" vanished, ceased, failed (v. 8). I believe the whole point that Paul is making to the Corinthians is that by walking in this "more excellent way," they should have been able to use these gifts for the benefit of the whole church while they awaited the day when they would have in hand the completed written revelation available to all. This understanding would have eliminated the wrangling that was going on over these gifts.

"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things" (v. 11). Here, Paul clearly shows that the miraculous spiritual gifts belonged to the childhood or infancy stage of the church; they were not a mark of spiritual maturity. Manhood or maturity refers to the time when "that which is perfect is come." While the gifts remained, Paul would use them and speak by them as he did when he was a child. But just as the mature man puts away childish things, the church at Corinth could look forward to the time when it would have the completed revelation of God's truth and would put away these transitory spiritual gifts.

Compare this to the Law of Moses. The Law was given for a specific purpose; it was never intended by God to be the permanent law for His people; when God's New Law came, the Old Law was no longer needed (see Galatians 3:16-25). Likewise, these miraculous spiritual gifts were given for a specific time and purpose; they were never intended to be a part of permanent Christianity; when God's completed revelation was given, these miraculous spiritual gifts had no further purpose, and thus they ceased, failed, or vanished away (see Hebrews 2:1-4; I Corinthians 13). Today, the confusion over miracles is caused by one's inability to discern the difference between the permanent and the temporary.
—Paul Wilmoth

From the Preacher's Viewpoint. . .

Is it Well with Falwell's Soul?

Jerry Falwell has been dead for several days now. He was a very well-known Baptist preacher and accomplished many things from a worldly viewpoint. He talked with presidents and built a large university. He often was consulted by the news media and was asked about moral issues. He was seen much on TV and in the media of the news. All in all we must say that Falwell was very well known and received worldy acclaim. But what about out there in eternity? How is it faring with him now according to the Bible? Is it well with his soul? The Bible can and does answer that.

1. Falwell taught that water baptism had nothing to do with fleeing the wrath of God which was to come. But the Bible teaches that the Pharisees and Saducees came to be baptized of John the baptist in order to flee the wrath to come (Matt. 3:7).
2. Jerry Falwell taught that water baptism had nothing to do with the Christian relationship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. But Jesus Christ said that through water baptism an individual received the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19).
3. Falwell taught that water baptism had nothing to do with salvation from sin. But Jesus Christ said that one must be baptized to be saved (Mark 16:16).
4. Jerry Falwell taught that water baptism had nothing to do with forgiveness or remission of sins. But the apostle Peter who was guided by the Holy Spirit said that one must be baptized to have his sins remitted (Acts 2:38).
5. Falwell said that water baptism had nothing to do with washing away one's sins. But Ananias, who was directed by the Holy Spirit, told Saul to arise and be baptized and wash away his sins (Acts 22:16).
6. Falwell said that baptism had nothing to do with the death of Christ and the blood of Christ. But the apostle Paul told the Romans that they contacted the death and blood of Christ in water baptism (Rom. 6:3-6).
7. Jerry Falwell taught that one starts walking the Christian life and the new life in Christ before water baptism. The apostle Paul taught the new life in Christ started after water baptism (Rom. 6:4-6).
8. Falwell taught that one gets into Christ by faith only. The Bible teaches one gets into Christ by faith and water baptism (Gal. 3:26-27).
9. Falwell taught that one is saved before and without water baptism. But Peter taught one was saved by water baptism (I Pet. 3:20-21).
10. Falwell taught that the church is cleansed from its sins by faith only. The Bible teaches that the church at Ephesus was cleansed from sin by the washing of water (baptism) (Eph. 5:25-27).
11. Falwell taught that one must be born again to be saved and that the new birth did not include water baptism. But Jesus said the new birth included water (baptism) (John 3:3-5).
12. Falwell taught that rejecting water baptism was not a serious matter and had nothing to do with one's salvation. But Luke says men rejected the counsel of God against themselves by refusing water baptism (Luke 7:30).

How do you suppose it is going with Falwell in eternity? Jesus said all will be judged by His teaching (John 12:48). One rejects Jesus when he rejects the teaching of Christ. Did Falwell follow the teaching of Jesus and the Bible when it came to water baptism? We must all understand we can reject or accept the teaching of the Bible. We are free to choose but God will judge all according to His word in the great day of judgment (Rev. 20:11-15). Which is most important—what Jesus Christ said or what Jerry Falwell said?
—Malcolm L. Hill