The Morality of Paul's Converts by Edwin D. Freed

Author:Edwin D. Freed [Freed, Edwin D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Ancient, General
ISBN: 9781317491576
Google: lpvCBQAAQBAJ
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2014-12-05T16:08:13+00:00

Spirit Effective for Individuals and for the Assembly

The Spirit, having been renewed and energized through baptism, is effective for each convert’s advantage. As with the human body, members should use their gifts and work together for the benefit of the whole. Every member functioned individually, yet each existed to make all function together as a unit. The feeling of spiritual unity of members with each other and with Christ provided moral solidarity in the group (1 Cor. 12.12–27). God ‘has compounded the body…in order that there be no division (schisma) in the body but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all the members suffer together; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice together’ (12.24–26). Baptized converts are ‘the body of Christ’, but all in the assembly (12.28) should be eager to possess the greater gifts (12.27, 31), as narrated in 1 Corinthians 13.

Unbaptized members were already taught to show respect for ‘the brother for whom Christ died’ (1 Cor. 8.11). They were also taught that sinning against their brothers was at the same time sinning against Christ (8.12). The solidarity of the group to the extent that if one member suffers all suffer and if one rejoices all rejoice was not a completely unique concept.9 What is unique with Paul is the idea that converts’ reasons for existing are to love, give the advantage to others, and strengthen the moral and spiritual growth of all. Solidarity, founded on faithfulness toward the one God and life in Christ under the influence of the Spirit, was a mighty bulwark against the evils of pagan society.

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