No One Has Dominion Over Another's Faith

[Mr. M]

2 Corinthians 1:

21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God,

22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

23 Moreover I call God as witness against my soul,

that to spare you I came no more to Corinth.

24 Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers

for your joy; for by faith you stand.

A careful study of Paul's teachings reveal that he made every effort to avoid

laying down commandments for the church. On the contrary, his primary method

was by example, and the things he taught he refers to as traditions.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions

which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.

Now you may be thinking, didn't Jesus condemn traditions of the elders?

In fact, the word Paul uses here is exactly the one found in Matthew and Mark.

This requires a careful reading to avoid confusion.

Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down.

And many such things you do.

Notice the issue is not in establishing traditions for people to follow, but in making their enforcement

in contradiction to the word of God "making it of no effect".

After spending 18 months in Corinth, and then another 2 years in Ephesus,

Paul attempted to primarily teach a walk of faith by example.

1 Corinthians 11:

1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things

and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.

 

Edited November 10, 2023 by Mr. M
cosmetic

[JohnD]

I love your avatar.

My Beloved Bride once interviewed the late great Jim Backus (voice of Mr. Magoo) on her TV show in the 1970's.

She said he was very charming and funny.

Yeehaa hahaha... ← Magoo laugh

[Mr. M]

1 hour ago, JohnD said:

the late great Jim Backus (voice of Mr. Magoo) on her TV show in the 1970's.

And let's not forget Mr Howell!

[TheBlade]

Avatar.. when you can remember watching those cartoons.. haha your old. 

What we fail to remember is.. about dominion and man OP your right. 

"be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Yet the best of all "To the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen."

[Mr. M]

The central tenet of Paul's teaching: liberty of conscience

1 Timothy 1:5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart,

from a good conscience, and from sincere faith.

Doing all things for edification, and in an orderly manner, allowing participation for all.

This clearly would require small home meetings that were common at that time.

It becomes easy to see the application of 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 with that in mind.

How to carry these instructions over to a large gathering requires faithful leadership,

adhering to the principles stated.

1 Corinthians 14:

26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm,

has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation.

Let all things be done for edification.

40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

Paul makes clear that he is not establishing a new law, but a spirit enlightened,

common sense approach to guiding Christian behavior.

1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful.

All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

1 Corinthians 10:

23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful;

all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.

24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.

As most are aware, Paul dedicates the entire chapter 13

of 1 Corinthians to this "bottom line".

1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done with love.