YouVersion Reformation Reading Plan, day 232

I Corinthians 1 §

To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

I Corinthians 1:2

The church of God … those sanctified … together with all those who in every place call upon the name. Struggling for months with what is the church? What purpose and calling does the church serve? What form should the church pursue? This verse seems to point to the form simply being everyone who calls on the Name. What did the church in Corinth actually look like? We don’t see all their form and technique listed — is it because those things are secondary, and God will work in whatever way He desires to work? What is important is the people of the church: all those who worship God in every place.

How can Paul not know (or remember) if he baptized anyone else? He must do a great many baptisms (and/or they must not seem terrifically significant) for him not to remember them. Is Paul playing down the importance of baptism here? Possibly as juxtaposition against the real importance of unity in the body?

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

I Corinthians 1:17

How does that square up with the Great Commission?

God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,

I Corinthians 1:28

What a weird idea. What things that are not is God using to bring down things that are? I have no answers here. The foolishness of Christ (and Him crucified).

I Corinthians 2 §

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

I Corinthians 2:2

I decide now (again) to know nothing but Christ and him crucified.

II Chronicles 4 §

It seems like King David did all the work of gathering materials for Solomon’s temple, and Hiram did all the work of actually building it… what is it Solomon gets credit for?

II Chronicles 5 §

It is not when the temple is built, nor when the vessels of fine gold are brought into the treasury, nor when the priests bring in the ark of the covenant, that the glory of the LORD fills the temple. It is when the song is raised (verse 13).

II Chronicles 6 §

David did well to have it in his heart to build a house for the LORD, but the LORD did not allow him to do it. David was aligned with the will of the LORD (that the LORD have a temple), and yet not allowed to act upon it.