1 Corinthians 1:10-18—Fractions,
dissensions, and cliques existed in the Corinthian church because there was
a party spirit. A pastor (Apollos, Paul, Peter) was placed above Jesus. It was
not Christ’s church but Dr. So-and-So’s church. Unity in a church is based upon
the pre-eminence of Christ, not the personality of the pastor. Paul did not
make a practice of baptizing people in order to avoid anyone’s claim he
belonged to Paul rather than to Christ. Baptism tends to establish a loyalty
between the pastor and the candidate.
Often
it is heard, “He baptized me,” in the sense of adulating the pastor. The closer
people get to Christ, the closer they get to each other in harmony and peace.
Restoration
is a gift connected with the name of Jesus. (V.10) The name of Jesus allows the guilt to repent.
The name of Jesus is all that He is and has to give to sinners; the forgiveness
of sins, peace with God and man. Restoration is an activity of the Christian
congregation carried out through the office of the keys. Those who have been
healed help heal others.
Father,
You make known the salvation of humankind at the birth of Your Son. Make us
strong in faith and bring us to the glory You promise. We ask this through our
Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives, and reigns with You and the Holy
Spirit, one God, forever and ever. [2]
Collect
for Thursday of the week of Epiphany 2: Show us, O God, as
much of Thy purpose, because we have it, as shall steady us. We do not ask that
the way be made smooth, or even that Thou wouldst bestow upon us now the
strength which Thou hast promised. We ask only for the grace to use what Thou
hast already provided in Christ Jesus. Amen. [3]
-19 January 2023
[2] Collect for the Epiphany season, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. St. Louis
[3] Collect for Thursday of the week of Epiphany 2, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
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