Pastor Ralph Posted February 5, 2014 Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 Q4. (1 Corinthians 2:1-6) Why didn’t Paul conform to the rhetorical standards of his day in order to communicate more clearly? What is the danger of “repackaging” the message? What does it mean that Paul relied on a demonstration of the Spirit’s power? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brothered Posted March 1, 2014 Report Share Posted March 1, 2014 1. Paul was a well educated man who knew the ins and outs of the law. What good would it do a lost soul if you tell it everything you know? Stick with the gospel message, the same message that saved you will save others. 2. I'd be scared to death to repackage the message. I believe the Book of the revelation of Jesus Christ warns us about this. Scares me to death. Stick with the simple gospel. Who cares what you know? 3. Men can only be drawn to God by the power of the Holy Spirit. When we witness, He is all we have and need. The Holy Spirit is the One who convicts men of their sin and He is the only One who can enlighten their minds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickledilly Posted March 1, 2014 Report Share Posted March 1, 2014 In the midst of Greek influences and expectations, Paul determined only to convey the simple truth of the gospel based on the historical evidence of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ Jesus. Paul was a master at presenting the message from a relevant viewpoint, but refused to devalue that message by drawing attention to personal eloquence or determinations of human wisdom. He was not interested in employing a persuasive oratory style that would impress people. As a once highly respected, brilliant, and academically accomplished former Jewish leader, I’m sure Paul was capable of that. But he had been humbled by his transformational face-to-face encounter with the risen Living Truth. He would not give reason for anyone to place their faith in him/his skills rather than trusting in the power of God to accomplish something so divinely great with something so weak and foolish as a human man. Only God deserves acclaim and credit! The lesson for us here is to beware of turning the simple truth of the gospel into a showy philosophical debate that distracts or distorts. We must be very careful in finding the balance of tapping into cultural relevance and staying true to the core message. We must be humble enough to recognize our weaknesses and fears, and follow Paul’s example in submitting ourselves as instruments in the work that only the Spirit of God can do. The power of conviction, the capacity to understand the gospel, and the faith to trust it come only through the power of the Spirit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joey felipe Posted March 1, 2014 Report Share Posted March 1, 2014 Q4. (1 Corinthians 2:1-6) Why didn’t Paul conform to the rhetorical standards of his day in order to communicate more clearly? As Paul said, he does not want their salvation to rest on man's wisdom but of Gods power which is a genuine salvation. What is the danger of “repackaging” the message? Repackaging the message will somehow twist and change the real message of God and it will only mean that you rely in yourself. What does it mean that Paul relied on a demonstration of the Spirit’s power? It simply means that Paul did not do it by himself, that it is Gods supernatural power that do everything for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
van Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Paul didn't conform to their standards because most were philosophers. There communication standards meant nothing to Paul, only him preaching Christ crucified. The danger of repackaging the message is it will be your words, not the words in the Holy Scripture which clearly warns us about this. Paul relied on the Spirit's power to transform lives because only the Spirit of God can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spen Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Q4. (1 Corinthians 2:1-6) Why didn't Paul conform to the rhetorical standards of his day in order to communicate more clearly? “He knew that if he used lofty high and correct language that would be appealing to the senses instead of peoples hearts.” What is the danger of "repackaging" the message? “The danger is that people will confuse the gospel with man-made religion.” What does it mean that Paul relied on a demonstration of the Spirit's power? “Paul is speaking here about the Holy Spirit opening a persons heart so they would be receptive to the gospel, to his preaching. Without this means of grace (this demonstration of the Spirit’s power) his words would not have the power to change lives, as those hearing would think it nonsense.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parkerslope Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Why didn't Paul conform to the rhetorical standards of his day in order to communicate more clearly? - Paul did not want to compete with the philosophers, but to present the gospel in a language style that all people could understand and accept. Most of the people were poor and begging, with no formal education to understand the worldly wisdom of the upper class of people, so Paul used this way of speaking to exert the power of the Holy Spirit in his speaking. What is the danger of "repackaging" the message? - By wanting to use our own "knowledge" and "wisdom" in presenting the gospel, we would tend to not let the Spirit do His work through the gospel. What does it mean that Paul relied on a demonstration of the Spirit's power? - Even though Paul was educated with worldly wisdom, he did not consider it the way to communicate. Instead he relied upon the Holy Spirit using the words he spoke to bring about the conviction of sin in the hearers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisbarak Posted March 4, 2014 Report Share Posted March 4, 2014 Paul refused to reform in order to keep Christ & our salvation at the forefront. He concentrated on sharing the message accurately so the Holy Spirit would work among the people. It wouldn't have been the pure message--the whole truth--up front. Christ might have been lost in a reworking.... Paul faithfully communicated the truth and let the Holy Spirit work in the hearts of those who heard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delivered Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 Q4. (1 Corinthians 2:1-6) Why didn't Paul conform to the rhetorical standards of his day in order to communicate more clearly? There is no power in the words and philosophy of man. What is the danger of "repackaging" the message? The danger lies in a message that would appeal to the senses of man, instead of the soul. What does it mean that Paul relied on a demonstration of the Spirit's power? They were still walking too much in the flesh and this is not acceptable to God, it is only through the power of the Spirit that ears will be opened to hear and to understand, the calling of a believer is that they grow in God's grace and love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highohfaith Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 Q4. (1 Corinthians 2:1-6) Why didn’t Paul conform to the rhetorical standards of his day in order to communicate more clearly? What is the danger of “repackaging” the message? What does it mean that Paul relied on a demonstration of the Spirit’s power? Paul wasn't interested in impressing the Corinthians with eloquent, rhetorical, speech. He wanted to bring a clear, unadulterated, testimony to the people concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ. He spoke truth through faith and power of the Holy Spirit, not through a 'refined oratorical" style. The danger of repackaging comes when a congregation 'waters down' the message in an attempt to be current. Perhaps, relying not of the Bible as a teaching tool. But other material mixing in with teaching directly from the Bible.Using verses and chapters out of context to make a point that we can apply to our live, standards for today. Instead of relying on the truth as we know it through the Holy Spirit, some congregations want to interject their own "worldly" take on the Gospels of Jesus Christ. For me the power, of the Spirit's power came when I was baptized as an adult in 2005. I literally felt the Spirits presence in my body and soul, as soon as I came up from the water! It was a BIRTH, my BIRTH, the most amazing event in my life! I was BORN that day!!Paul want to use examples of this kind ( baptism,salvation,birth,forgiveness,miracles)of power in his letter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanMary Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 Q4. (1 Corinthians 2:1-6) Why didn’t Paul conform to the rhetorical standards of his day in order to communicate more clearly? Paul's former life and reliance on earthly, human philosophy (Pharisaic tradition) had resulted in the murder and imprisonment of fellow Jews who had become Christians. His encounter with Jesus on the road, and his subsequent years with Him in Arabia, had taught him that reliance on the Holy Spirit's words and power were the only effective way to communicate the Good News! ("Faith resting in the Power of God, rather in persuasive speech") Also, Paul wanted the focus of the message to be JESUS alone, not upon Paul's eloquence or style. What is the danger of “repackaging” the message? "Repackaging" strips the message of it's power...the "dunamis" or dynamite which cuts through earthly ideas and resistance to the Truth! The entire Bible is written in simple language, which can be understood by all. I've never had to search a dictionary to understand the Words written there, and yet God's power is resident in each simple word because the Holy Spirit impacts my spirit with them (rather than tickling my ears with fancy phrases) What does it mean that Paul relied on a demonstration of the Spirit’s power? Paul admitted to being weak and fearful and dreading...when he came to them, and chose to rely completely on the power of God operating on, in and through him, stirring in the hearers minds the most holy emotions, thus persuading them. (amplified version) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sank T Monius Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 1 Corinthians 2:1-6 Q). Why didn't Paul conform to the rhetorical standards of his day in order to communicate more clearly? A). Paul explains why he didn't conform to the rhetorical standards of his day: "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." (1 Corinthians 2:4-5) # Q). What is the danger of "repackaging" the message? A). Repackaging the message makes the package look good but it's empty inside. # Q). What does it mean that Paul relied on a demonstration of the Spirit's power? A). Demonstration of the Spirit's power (1 Corinthians 2:5-6). This power seems to have consisted of two things. First, "by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit" (Romans 15:19; cf. 2 Corinthians 12:12). But also with the deep convicting power of the Holy Spirit that we've sometimes seen in revivals in modern times. "Our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction" (1 Thessalonians 1:5). Persuasive words without the Spirit's power don't transform people's lives Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jwalane Mofokeng Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 Q4. (1 Corinthians 2:1-6) Why didn’t Paul conform to the rhetorical standards of his day in order to communicate more clearly? He could have robbed the cross with its power - he could have reduced what the cross has achieved for us. What is the danger of “repackaging” the message? No one will be saved. What does it mean that Paul relied on a demonstration of the Spirit’s power? We are to depend on the guidance of the Holy Spirit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lion of Grace Posted March 6, 2014 Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 Paul didn't want to conform to the rhetorical standards of his day in order to communicate because he did not want the message to be words from man's wisdom but from God and with the power of the Holy Spirit. He didn't want anyone believing on mere fancy words of men, but as the very words of God Himself. Mere words of man can be embraced for awhile, but are changeable and passing philosophies. Paul wanted them to embrace the unchangeable truths of God. The danger of repackaging the message is that it compromises truth. The Word is truth....no need to amp it up or water it down or make it user friendly. There will be no life changing power in it that way. When Paul relied on a demonstration of the Spirit's power, he relied on signs and miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit. He also relied on the deep convicting power of the Holy Spirit to change lives. He knew mere rhetoric may have had the affect of getting people to listen or debate, but He wanted His words to come with power, going deep into souls with truth and He relied on the Holy Spirit for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted March 6, 2014 Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 Q4. (1 Corinthians 2:1-6) Why didn't Paul conform to the rhetorical standards of his day in order to communicate more clearly? What is the danger of "repackaging" the message? What does it mean that Paul relied on a demonstration of the Spirit's power? Paul had sought to glory God and not himself. He did not want to use big words that would sound wise and show him off as an orator or philosopher. All he wanted was to preach Christ Crucified. We know he must have been a brilliant scholar and could easily have given the Corinthians all sorts of intellectual arguments. But he made a conscious and deliberate decision to abandon any worldly wisdom and rather rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. As we have read before the gospel of God’s wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption cannot be obtained through human wisdom. We see that this decision of Paul ensured that the lives of the new Christians rested securely not in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. This is what happens when there is any repackaging of the message. If a person is brought to faith through the power of God, then his faith rests upon that. We must be careful for we know God’s Word edifies and unites, whereas human opinions only confuse and divide. We see that Paul knew that the unbelievers needed the demonstration of the Spirit and of power and this is what he brought them. Only the God’s and power could deliver them from sin and bring them to Himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lighthouse2014 Posted March 8, 2014 Report Share Posted March 8, 2014 Q4. (1 Corinthians 2:1-6) Why didn’t Paul conform to the rhetorical standards of his day in order to communicate more clearly? What is the danger of “repackaging” the message? What does it mean that Paul relied on a demonstration of the Spirit’s power? Paul did not conform to the rhetorical standards of his day because he wanted the pure true gospel with power of the Holy Spirit to convince and convict the Greeks. The repackaging of the gospel would give the people a message that would not be perfectly true and cause the people to make the wrong mental image of the gospel message. Paul used no eloquent words, he allowed the Holy Spirit to work through him. He allowed God to bring out the perfect message for them to hear and convict them of their sins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blezed Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 Why didn’t Paul conform to the rhetorical standards of his day in order to communicate more clearly? 1. Paul wanted to give a simple message to the people and allow the Holy Spirit to guide his words. He wanted their faith to stand firm on God not man. What is the danger of “repackaging” the message? 2. To repack the message mean giving mans thoughts and not God's word. What does it mean that Paul relied on a demonstration of the Spirit’s power? 3. He had confidence that the Holy Spirit was helping and guiding him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinstonY Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 Question 2.4 God through Paul wanted to produce a product that would last until Christ’s second coming. It was realized that the influence of the polished rhetoric of the day often lasted for only a short time. Consider the mobs of Rome were swayed by Brutus and then shortly after by Anthony. What Paul wanted was a lasting effect. So instead of the rhetoric of his age Paul used the wisdom of God to communicate with the people. Paul was hence able to communicate at a deeper level; a level where people came to know Christ and lived ‘in Christ’. In so doing their lives were transformed into a new heaven and a new earth. One that came down from heaven like a bride adorned for her husband - for that is what we pray in ‘Our Father’. The message of the gospel has been taught for 2000 years and changes are made at the peril of the church. To rely on the Spirit’s power means that one relies in order to gather strength, courage and conviction to carry forth our work in the service of Christ. If we instead rely on ourselves then we must fail in our endeavor. But lo the Lord is always with us . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitar Jim Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 Q4. (1 Corinthians 2:1-6) Why didn’t Paul conform to the rhetorical standards of his day in order to communicate more clearly? He wanted to be perceived as radically different to the philosophers of the day. The message Paul had to give wasn't merely a new way of thinking about life and death, but a renewing and re-birth in the Holy Spirit. So he left it to the Holy Spirit to convict and change people rather than trying to win them over to his way of thinking, as was the norm for philosophers of that time. What is the danger of “repackaging” the message? If we repackage the Gospel we risk diluting both the message and its power to save. To adapt the Gospel to today's standards of morality and today's sensibilities of right and wrong is to preach a "different Jesus and a different gospel". The Bible warns us about that. Peter Paul and John caution against accepting a different gospel to the one true gospel and woe to the person preaching it in the first place! What does it mean that Paul relied on a demonstration of the Spirit’s power? Paul was on the right track! Rememeber when Peter spoke to the household of Cornelius? The Bible doesn't even record Peter's words. The important thing was that when God knew the people were accepting and believing Peter's words, He blessed them with the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In the same way, Paul relied on the power of the Holy Spirit to reinforce his preaching. Therefore he didn't need to be a fancy speaker. The signs and miracles the Holy Spirit empowered Paul to perform would have been all the proof anyone needed that Paul's words were the very words of life eternal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bondservantmccue Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 Why didn't Paul conform to the rhetorical standards of his day in order to communicate more clearly? He told his listeners that he was not coming with excellency of speech or of wisdom, (of which he had plenty of), no he said let me tell you about a man named Jesus Christ. He said all I declare unto you Jesus Christ and Him crucified. What is the danger of "repackaging" the message? You can rewrite the message of the Bible to fit and justify the sins of a world that does not want to live the truth. This can lead to reprobate of believing and lie and be damned for it. It is dangerous to change anything in the Bible. What does it mean that Paul relied on a demonstration of the Spirit's power? Paul was telling them all they had was head knowledge, without the power of the Holy Ghost to demonstrate the power of healing the sick and saving the lost. Brother Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MountainTrek1 Posted March 13, 2014 Report Share Posted March 13, 2014 Q4. Why didn't Paul conform to the rhetorical standards of his day in order to communicate more clearly? Because those philosophies were the 'enemy' to be defeated rather than used to make things more understandable. When we have to face our inadequacies we use not being strong enough as an excuse to not try harder. This inadequacy or limitation forces us to do the work with the power of the Holy Spirit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosegarden Posted March 18, 2014 Report Share Posted March 18, 2014 Q4. (1 Corinthians 2:1-6) Why didn’t Paul conform to the rhetorical standards of his day in order to communicate more clearly? What is the danger of “repackaging” the message? What does it mean that Paul relied on a demonstration of the Spirit’s power? 4.a. Because he knew the Word would not be effective in his own strength. It had to be demonstrated with the Holy Spirit's power so that their faith might not rest on man's wisdom but on God's power. The focus should be on Christ's crucifixion for our sins and His resurrection from the dead. b. It would not be effective or powerful. c. He did not depend on himself as in his own strength he came in weakness, fear and trembling, but knew it had to come in power by the Holy Spirit with signs, wonders, and miracles and bring deep conviction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxim Posted March 22, 2014 Report Share Posted March 22, 2014 If I understand this correctly I think i really enjoy this example... I think back then a person could have literally said anything they wanted and if carefully worded and phrased it would have been acceptable. Paul, to prove his point of Gods power, said it plainly as not to use persuasion or any kind of manipulative technique. Articulations of statements was a science used to sway ideas from the truth but Paul was already speaking the truth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haar Posted March 22, 2014 Report Share Posted March 22, 2014 Q4. (1 Corinthians 2:1-6) Why didn't Paul conform to the rhetorical standards of his day in order to communicate more clearly? What is the danger of "repackaging" the message? What does it mean that Paul relied on a demonstration of the Spirit's power? Paul did not need to go about preaching with the type eloquence, wisdom and persuasive words of wisdom of the world because his message was not the message of the world that needed such style. He depended on the power of the Holy to preach effectively and recorded success. This was evidenced by miracles and also conviction of the listeners of sin. "Repackaging" the message for acceptance has the danger of diluting the truth in the message or even result in total mispresentation of the truth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Posted March 24, 2014 Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 Paul had an understanding of the Holy Spirit and allowed the Holy Spirit to operate in His life. In repackaging the basic gospel of Jesus Christ to sell to a particular audience there is the danger of changing the message and creating a false gospel for the satisfaction of the audience. Paul permitted the Holy Spirit to bring a message through Him to the people he was presenting the gospel. Because as Paul states in 1 Cor. 2:10-11: "But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God's deep secrets. No one can knows a person's thoughts except that person's own spirit." (NLT). The Holy Spirit knows the audience and how to present the gospel to them. We really need to be atoned to the Holy Spirit and not to formula preaching to fit a fashion or style. The power of the Holy Spirit will capture the attention of the audience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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