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The entire area of (supernatural) gifts is also new territory for the Corinthians. God's Spirit is at work among them—tangibly, experientially, and sometimes even spectacularly. Much of what they are now experiencing is new to them. No wonder—many of them had previously dealt with mute idols. But now there is a God who speaks, who acts, who uses people. This is fascinating, but also unsettling: Is all of this real? And how can one recognize what truly comes from God?
Paul helps them (and us) with a simple standard: Whoever has the Holy Spirit confesses Jesus as Lord. Everything depends on this.
Paul also emphasizes: The Spirit works in a variety of ways—but always with one goal: for the benefit of the church. It is never about promoting oneself, but about serving others. That is why there are so many different gifts: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in tongues, interpretation… all from the same Spirit.
For Reflection:
God sometimes speaks in new, unfamiliar ways. How do I react when God works differently than I am used to? By what standard can I test the "unfamiliar" to be sure that it truly comes from God?
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About this Plan
Corinth was a major port city in ancient Greece—a center of commerce, religious diversity, and known for loose living. Precisely there, a young church was growing, learning to live out their faith in a secular environment. Many issues they faced remain relevant today. In this reading plan, you'll see how Paul addresses the early believers’ challenges and shows what it means to live as a church, strengthen one another, and use the Spirit’s gifts. It’s about genuine love, handling conflict, the power of the resurrection, and how faith in Christ can transform everyday life.
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We would like to thank Christusgemeinde Nagold for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: https://www.Christusgemeinde-Nagold.de
