1 Corinthians 1:1-2, The Church of God

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1 Corinthians 1:1-2 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

The church of God in Corinth, this local church, is founded during the Apostle Paul’s second missionary journey. This is the narrative that tells us the origin of this church:

Acts 18:5-8 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. 7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. 8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

The Apostle Paul obeyed the Great Commission, by faith, according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, go forth to preach the gospel:

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

He preached the gospel to Crispus and his family, a ruler of the synagogue, and they believed. He spends precious time sharing the faith with this family and others who are saved and baptised.

Acts 18:9-11 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Although there is opposition to the gospel, Jesus instructed the Apostle Paul to persevere in the gospel work, grounding the new believers in their faith. He spends a year and a half in Corinth teaching the word of God. This was how the church is established. A painstaking effort by the missionary team consisting of Paul, Silas and Timothy.

Thank God for men who are willing to heed the call of God to preach the gospel in distant lands to establish the church of God in every age. Praise Him for still calling men to fulfil His Great Commission, especially urgent, in these last days prior to Christ’s coming again. Amen.