How does 1 Corinthians 1:2 define the identity of the church in Corinth? Snapshot of the Verse “ To the church of God in Corinth, sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ —their Lord and ours.” (1 Corinthians 1:2) Church of God: Ownership and Authority • The very first title—“church of God”—anchors identity in divine ownership (Acts 20:28). • Belonging to God means the fellowship submits to His Word, not local culture or personal preference (2 Timothy 3:16-17). • Their authority is the Lord who purchased them with His own blood; leadership, doctrine, and discipline flow from that fact. In Corinth: Witness in a Specific Place • Corinth was a bustling crossroads, notorious for immorality (Acts 18:1-11). • Paul’s greeting reminds believers that God plants His people in real cities to shine in those exact contexts (Matthew 5:14-16). • Location never negates identity; holiness can flourish anywhere God’s people live. Sanctified in Christ Jesus: Positional Holiness • “Sanctified” is perfect‐tense in Greek—an accomplished act with ongoing results (Hebrews 10:10,14). • The believers are already set apart by union with Christ, not by their own effort (Ephesians 1:3-4). • Practical growth flows out of this finished status: because they are holy, they now pursue holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16). Called to Be Saints: Purposeful Living • “Called” signals God’s initiating voice (Romans 8:30). He summons ordinary sinners and names them “saints” (holy ones). • The term applies to every believer, not an elite class (Philippians 1:1). • Daily life is meant to display what God has already declared—set‐apart conduct, speech, and relationships (Colossians 3:12-17). Together with All Who Call on the Name: Universal Fellowship • Corinthian Christians share the same identity with believers “everywhere.” • Salvation unites Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female under one banner (Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 4:4-6). • Local issues never justify division from the global body; baptism places every saint into one Spirit‐formed family (1 Corinthians 12:13). Their Lord and Ours: Shared Lordship • Confessing “Jesus is Lord” (Romans 10:9) is the core marker of the church. • His lordship levels distinctions—no separate saviors for different groups. • Because He is “ours,” service and submission are personal, relational, and joyful (John 14:15). Takeaway Truths for Today • The church’s identity is received, not achieved—owned by God, sanctified in Christ, and summoned by His call. • Holiness is both positional (what God has done) and practical (how we now live). • Every congregation, however local, is part of a worldwide fellowship under one Lord. • Remembering these truths guards against pride, discouragement, and division—then and now. |
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