I think it’s time somebody
came to the defense of the church in Corinth. Okay, so they’re all dead now. But they live on in two of Paul’s letters for all the world to see. I think Corinth, arguably Paul’s worst church, may be our best model for church today. Better than Purpose-driven, Willow Creek, or any of the other models out there. Here’s why:
- They were brand-new believers. Talk about a church planter’s dream. This was a church of new Christians. Not a transfer member among them. Newbies, to use the jargon. No preconceived ideas, no “we-did-it-this-way-at-my-other-church” notions, fresh as the new-mown hay.
- They participated. Okay, so maybe they participated a little too exuberantly, but they all wanted to contribute to worship. They all had a prophecy, a word of knowledge, a tongue, a revelation, or an interpretation. They obviously did not have an “order” of worship, but as Jack Nicklaus said of his golf swing, “I was going for distance and figured I could work on accuracy later.” They were going for participation first; order came later. Now, we mostly have order, but not much participation.
- They made mistakes, but out of enthusiasm. They did communion wrong, worship wrong, shopped in the wrong butcher shops, flaunted their spiritual gifts, tried to outdo each other in worship, and generally were the most enthusiastic church around. Paul had to temper their enthusiasm with instruction, but it’s better to have to control a fire than try to start one!
- They practiced their new faith while still growing in it. In the congregation there were drunks, adulterers, sexually promiscuous, those who shopped at the pagan temple meat markets, and self-promoters. Quite a congregation, but Paul never says they are not Christians. Rather, he urges them to grow in their faith by changing their bad practices.
- Their new faith was relevant to their world. The temple of Aphrodite, goddess of love was in Corinth, so Paul writes to them about real Christian love. The temple of Asclepius, the god of healing, was in Corinth, so it was not a stretch for them to believe that their new God was more powerful than their old god. Maybe that explains the high profile of spiritual gifts in Corinth. Whatever the reason, the Corinthians connected the dots between the pagan world in which they lived and their new found faith in Christ.
- They were a real church. Paul, despite all the problems of Corinth, never says they aren’t a real church. Instead, he patiently guides them into practices that are more faithful expressions of their new life in Christ. We in the 21st century church could learn a lot from the Corinthians and Paul.
So, there you have it — my 6 reasons that Corinth is our best model. Because in today’s church we need to recapture some of the enthusiasm, exuberance, freshness, and mistakes of Corinth — they were alive and living their new faith!
Filed under: Congregation, Missional Church , , church, church planter, corinth, discipleship, enthusiasm, faith, new christians, Paul, spiritual gifts
This is dead on. Great post.
Shawna, thanks and great to hear from you again.
[...] Corinth: Why Paul’s worst church may be our best model. “I think it’s time somebody came to the defense of the church in Corinth. Okay, so they’re all dead now. But they live on in two of Paul’s letters for all the world to see. I think Corinth, arguably Paul’s worst church, may be our best model for church today. Better than Purpose-driven, Willow Creek, or any of the other models out there. Here’s why:” [...]
Chuck,
you err on all counts. Were we to follow the examples of Corinth, there would be nothing but trouble. Here’s why:
1. They were brand-new believers. These were NOT brand new believers. Paul had spent about a year and a half with them, and by the time this letter was written, more time had passed. The disciples (and Paul) received only three years of instruction, and went on to set up churches. They should have been more mature, but their carnality retarded them.
2. They participated. Their participation was out of order. They were participating in carnality. This is not an example to follow.
3. They made mistakes, but out of enthusiasm. It is best not to start a fire at all, but to allow the Holy Spirit to work through you. These people were so consumed with self indulgence, envy, strife, covetousness and divisions, that they couldn’t control themselves, much less a fire.
4. They practiced their new faith while still growing in it. Paul wasn’t “urging” them, he was rebuking them. Nothing was being accomplished, because there was no order in the church. This is not of the Holy Spirit, but of the flesh. You should read 14:26-28 again. “and that by course” means, in an orderly manner. This church was full of confusion, and the Bible says, “God is not the author of confusion”. 1 Cor 14:33
5. Their new faith was relevant to their world. There are no “dots” between the pagan world and Christianity. There is only separation. And if there is no separation, then it is called “capitulation”, and that is NOT what God has called us to. We are to separate ourselves from paganism, and draw near to Him. We are not even to give space to those who would tell us that the “blending” is acceptable. Read Romans 16:18
6. They were a real church. This was not a church, it was a sideshow. Paul never said they were a real church, either. This is not the expample the church can learn from, other than by avoiding this type of behavior.
So, there you have it — my 6 reasons that Corinth is our best model. Because in today’s church we need to recapture some of the enthusiasm, exuberance, freshness, and mistakes of Corinth — they were alive and living their new faith!
Perhaps you should re-acquaint yourself with Revelation 2 and 3. There were several churches mentioned there, that were doing much the same things as Corinth was doing; the difference is a couple of recurring statements: “Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee” and “REPENT”. Jesus was expressing his disgust with the actions of some of the churches, such as the church of the Laodiceans: “I will spew thee out of My mouth”.
Rev 3:16
The church at Corinth, much like the church of the Laodiceans and the church of this age, was steeped in apostasy. To the degree that, one of the members was having sexual relations with his father’s wife. And you think that the church today should follow this church as an example? Only of what NOT to do. When Jesus said to the church of the Laodiceans: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock”, it was not an invitation, it was an indictment. He was not inside the church, but rather, outside of a door, which was locked from within. It would be far better to follow the examples of the churches at Ephesus, Smyrna and Philadelphia, than to consider any part of Corinth
Greetings,
I agree in the book of Corinth we find the proper format for a Church Service . In 1 Corinthians 14:26, we read how believers are to come together ! But not many take heed ! The Church Service today had become a one man show, following the format of the Roman Catholic Church ! I invite your reply .
By Sovereign Grace,
Harold Brown
I’ll ask you a question,
What problem in Corinth still bests our Church today?
Lack of discipline seemed to be their underlying problem. We probably have the same problem today, although it gets expressed differently now. Thanks for your comments.
I agree that lack of discipline was the underlying problem.
Clement, mentioned in Philippians, who worked with Paul later wrote another letter to Corinth to try and reign them in.
Its available over at CCEL and is worth a read.
I THINK THE ARGUEMENT THAT SAY THE CHURCH IN CORINTH IS THE MODEL OF CHURCHES TODAY IS NOT FAR FROM THE THRUTH. THE STRATERGY OF THE ENEMY HAS NOT CHANGE SINCE THEN. BELIEVERS TODAY WE TRY TO TELL GOD WHAT IS HE TRYING TO SAY IN THE BIBLE WITHOUT US CONSULTING WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT WHOM WE WERE LEFT WITH AND TOLD THAT HE WILL TEACH US THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT. CHURCHES TODAY COMPROMISE THE WORD OF GOD.
AT TIME YOU EVEN WONDER WHEN YOU GET INTO CHURCHES TODAY BECAUSE YOU FIND THE VISION THAT IS SO GOOD ON THE PAPER BUT YOU FIND THAT EVEN MEN OF GOD WHO ARE THE CUSTODIANS OF THESE VISIONS THAY DO NOT UNDERSTAND THEM. PEOPLE TODAY CANNOT DIFFERENCIATE BETWEEN SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND GROWING INTO THEIR FAITH. INFACT PEOPLE ARE NOT GROWING IN FAITH AT ALLL. WE ARE SO FULL OF OURSELVES AND CLOUDED BY BABYLONIAN INEQUITY