Vol. 03, No. 50

Mt. Baker Beacon

Steven J. Wallace
12/15/24 - Mt. Baker Beacon 2024

CONVERSION OF THE CORINTHIANS
Craig Thomas

The conversion of the Corinthians is recorded in the first half of Acts 18. Their conversion takes place during Paul’s second journey. The conversion of the Corinthians demonstrates several principles still applicable today. First, it involved a team effort. Paul was not alone as he preached in Corinth. He had as his fellow laborers Pricilla and Aquila (v. 2) along with Silas and Timothy (v. 5). Our success in preaching the gospel is multiplied when brethren work together for a common goal. Second, Paul spent at least 18 months preaching and teaching in Corinth (v. 11). Whenever one is breaking new ground, patience is a virtue. The soil must be prepared, the seed must be sown, and the potential crop must be watered and cultivated (1 Cor. 3:6-15). A great harvest of souls took place at Corinth, but it did not occur overnight. We would do well to remember that in our gospel labors. Third, Corinth was an unlikely place for success in preaching the gospel. Corinth was a major center for commerce and shipping. It was also a major center for a decadent religion revolving around fornication. Such activities produced a populace steeped in the vilest of sins (1 Cor. 6:9-10). We must remember not to “pre-judge” people as to whether or not they are “suitable” candidates for the gospel. Finally, the conversion of the Corinthians establishes a Biblical pattern from which we must not deviate. How was their conversion effected? “And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized” (Acts 18:8). The Corinthians were converted as all men are converted; by hearing, believing, and obeying the gospel.

1) Hear. Christianity is a “taught” religion (Jn. 6:44-45). As one good preacher friend of mine is fond of saying, “Christianity is a thinking man’s religion.” The gospel is God’s only “drawing card” (2 Thess. 2:13-14). It makes a persuasive appeal to change our way of thinking and acting (Acts 2:40-41). Denominationalism and liberalism have lost sight of this critical fact. Just yesterday I received a notice from liberal churches of Christ in Michigan advocating carnal means (“Old Fashioned Country Fair,” and “Coffee Cafe”) to attract people rather than the simple gospel. Such efforts may attract, but they are powerless to effect true conversion because “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17; 1:16-17).

2) Believe. The first aim of preaching the gospel is to produce belief. Jesus said, “If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (Jn. 8:24). We certainly must be cordial and “nice” to folks, but we must use God’s word to “convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (Jn. 16:8). Without such conviction no one will not be truly “cut to the heart” (Acts 2:37) and ask the most important question they’ll ever ask, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30)

3) Obey. Hearing and belief alone leaves one unconverted and lost! Conversion is affected when hearing and faith are coupled with obedience (Jas. 2:14-26). Five aspects of obedience must be impressed upon prospects: 1) confessing Christ (Rom. 10:10; Acts 8:36-37); 2) repentance from sins (Acts 2:38; 17:30), 3) baptism (Mk. 16:16; Gal. 3:27; 1 Pet. 3:21), 4) “giving all diligence” to grow as a Christian (2 Pet. 1:5-11), and 5) remaining faithful (Col. 1:21-23). Obedience is essential since Jesus is the “author of eternal salvation” only to those “who obey Him” (Heb. 5:9). Many ridicule what they derogatorily call “patternism.” But Acts 18 offers the inspired pattern for the conversion of the first-century Corinthians and, by extension, for all of every subsequent century that would be added to the Lord’s church and be saved (Acts 2:47).

If we follow God’s pattern today it will accomplish for folks exactly what it did for the Corinthians.

--Adapted

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THE HEART AND DUTY OF “THE BODY OF CHRIST”

(Philippians 1:1-9)

What purpose does a body serve (Jas. 2:26; Jn. 9:4; Eph. 4:16)?

Let’s identify SIX things the HEART of the BODY of Christ looks like.

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“For God is my witness, how greatly I _______________ for you all with the _______________ of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:8)
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“And this I pray, that your love may _______________…” (Phil. 1:9)
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“…still more and more in _______________ and all _______________” (Phil. 1:9)

LIST SOME DEFECTIVE QUALITIES OF LOVE WHEN DISCERNMENT IS ABSENT:

Romans 12:9

Romans 10:2

(Philippians 1:9-11)

LIST MORE DEFECTIVE QUALITIES OF LOVE WHEN DISCERNMENT IS ABSENT

2 Timothy 3:6, 7

James 2:1-4

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“that you may _______________ the things that are excellent…” (Phil. 1:10)
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“that you may be _______________ and without _______________ till the day of Christ” (Phil. 1:10)
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“being _______________ with the _______________ of _______________ which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Phil. 1:11)

Do our affections for one another and our longing for spiritual growth reflect the depth of Christ’s love, compelling us to actively pursue righteousness, discernment, and genuine relationships within the body of Christ?