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February 12, 2012 TYPICAL WARNINGS (PART 1) 1CORINTHIANS 10.1-4 Paul draws from the Scriptural history of Israel to warn the Corinthian Christians of over-confident presumption about their susceptibility to temptation and to falling away. Context: 811.1 - main issue = eating meat offered to idols. Can be okay in certain circumstances, but there are times when those who have the conscience to do it refrain for the good of their brother. Should follow Pauls example (ch. 9, 11.1). Not the only issue: the strong are also in danger of presuming and thinking they are stronger than they really are. They are susceptible to falling into idolatry as well. Paul affirms the great privileges they have in baptism and the Lords Supper while also explaining that participation in these graces doesnt negate the responsibility to continue to fight, disciplining themselves (cp. 9.24-27). 1. DONT BE IGNORANT CONCERNING YOUR PRIVILEGES (1-4) Typical: Paul establishes a deep connection between Israel of old (Exodus Israel) and the Corinthian church? How? Several ways. vv. 6, 11 - type (normally translated example). Cf. 1Pt 3.21: Christian baptism is the antitypei.e., the fulfillment of the typethat was the flood during Noahs day. Types are fulfilled. Examples arent. So what is a type? A type is something of a foreshadowing or pre-figuring of something to come. The word actually speaks of the result of a striking, blow, or pressure. It is that which leaves this mark. When dealing with Scriptural history, God is forming and shaping history in a certain way. He is applying the pressure, as it were, to the events of history so that they set up certain patterns; patterns that anticipate future events. Historical events are real and have real significance in that particular time, but they still look to a greater fulfillment. E.g., the story of David and Goliath; also the Exodus. Israels story is a type, a pattern, for the Christian church. We participate in this historical reality and each generation has the potential for a different conclusion. (Paul is calling for a different conclusion for the Corinthians here; namely not to submit to idolatry and fall under Gods wrath). Typological reading of the Scriptures is the Scriptural way to read the Scriptures. Thus, it is the Christian way to read Scripture. All in the family: brothers - counts them as believers and part of the family. Later contrasts them to unbelievers (10.27). Those who participated in the Exodus are our fathers. Corinthian church made up predominantly of Gentiles. How can this be? Paul is telling us what is to be believed about who Jesus is, what he did, and the nature of the church itself. Jesus is the Israelite who fulfills Israels destiny. Now, the church, which is the body of Christ, is a part of Israel (cf. Eph 2.12-13; also Rom 11). In Christ all of these people in Israels historygood and badare our fathers. Covenant bond in Christ is stronger than biological lineage (and always has been). This is our history. This is our family. The privileges they enjoyed, we enjoy. The dangers they had, we have. Same story. Same family. Same God. We are Israel. That is why we can learn from them. Under the cloud and through the sea: under the cloud and through the sea type of Christian baptism. Who had these privileges? All (repeated 5x in this one sentence (4 verses)). Not a select few w/in Israel. All. All includes their youngest infants (w/o whom they refused to leave Egypt in the first place (Ex 10.9ff.). Include the infirm, physically and mentally. Under the cloud - glory cloud, Gods throne, that was leading them and their rear guard (cf. Ex 14; cp. Isa 52.12; 58.8). Gods

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throne = Gods armies that hold him up. Cloud was behind, before, and over. Israel was incorporated into this cloud. They were a part of Gods armies (cf. Ex 7.4; 12.17, 41, 51). They were a heavenly people. Under the cloud - cf. Ps 77.16-20. God poured out rain on them from above while they were crossing. They were baptized from above, with heavenly water, becoming heavenly people. Passed through the sea - they went through the waters on either side. Another creation day 2 image. God separated the waters and put a firmamentheavenbetween them. Firmament is that connection between heaven and earth. Israel is placed in the firmament; again, heavenly people. In them heaven and earth are joined together as a priestly nation. Baptized into Moses - Moses was the heavenly man at that time, having already ascended the mountain (Ex 3). To be incorporated into Moses was to be in the body of Moses, like we are incorporated into the body of Christ (1Cor 12.13). Spiritual food and drink: Spiritual food and drink is not immaterial or other-worldly. It is this worlds stuff invigorated by the Spirit. Cp. spiritual bodies in 1Cor 15. Spiritual food associates you with the activity and power of the Spirit in which he accomplishes his purposes. Purpose: nourish the people of God with the life of God. Spirit joins us with God himself through this food and drink. Bread = manna. Mystery bread. Manna means What is it? It was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. (Ex 16.31) God would rain down from heaven (Ex 16.4). This was heavenly bread, the bread of angels (Ps 78.23ff.). The imagery of this is all in Ex 16. The dew would falli.e., the water of heaven. After the dew went back up, the manna would be left on the ground. Once you pass through the heavenly waters, you receive the bread of heaven. When they ate this bread they were seated in heavenly places, feasting in the presence of God. They had, in some way, drawn near to God ... or better, God had drawn near to them. Water from the Rock. Two instances: Ex 17, Num 20. YHWH would stand on the rock. Moses would pass his rod through the cloud and strike the rock (the first time). Water came out. YHWH is the Rock who gives life-giving water. That Rock was Christ = Christ is YHWH that was in the wilderness with the people of God of old. Israel participated in the life of Christ by the Spirit just as the Corinthians do now. Comparison, not a contrast. The Exodus, the wilderness, and you But we are not dealing with that today. Today, we focus on our privileges. So, I will take the remaining time and mention some of these privileges. 1. Baptism and the Lords Supper are Gods ordinary means to form and sustain his people. 2. Baptism and the Lords Supper are the work of God not man. 3. In baptism and the Lords Supper we truly participate in Christ. 4. Participation in baptism and the Lords Supper identifies you as a heavenly citizen. 5. In Baptism and the Lords Supper you have been and continue to be delivered from the old world in Adam.