Introduction

Introduction-1

• Chapters 8, 9 and 10 are chapters on Christian liberty and how to live in a pagan society.
• Chapter 8 introduces the subject about eating meats offered to idols
• Chapter 9 details Paul’s use of his own liberties
• Chapter 10 shows how we can live in a pagan society and understanding how our liberties play a part in our life with our breathren.

Partaking In Idol Offerings

Partaking In Idol Offerings-1

• Paul’s instructions in chapter 8 appear to be in direct violation to other passages we see in the New Testament.
• The decree from the Jerusalem counsel to abstain from meets offered to idols (Acts 15:19-20; 28-29)
• The law of Christ forbids eating things offered to idols (Rev. 2:14-20)

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Partaking In Idol Offerings-2

Acts 15:28-29

For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.

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Partaking In Idol Offerings-3

Rev. 2:14

To The Church At Pergamos…

But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.

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Partaking In Idol Offerings-4

Rev. 2:20

To The Church At Thyatia

Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

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Partaking In Idol Offerings-5

He is not in conflict of it, but he supplements it.

• Paul further clarifies the decree given in Jerusalem by explaining the occasions it was forbidden and not forbidden by the apostolic direction.

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Partaking In Idol Offerings-6

Apparently Three Questions That Needed To Be Answered.

1. Could a Christian attend a banquet in an idol's temple?
2. Could a Christian eat meat sacrificed to an idol in the home of an unbelieving friend?
3. Could a Christian eat meat sacrificed to idols that he had purchased inadvertently at the meat market?

Partaking In Idol Offerings-7

The Correlation Between These Verses:

• Acts 15:20;29 - Refers to actually participating in the idolatrous feast and all things associated with it.
• Rev. 2:20 - Would support that idea as it refers to direct participation.
• 1 Cor. 10:28 - Eating meats is permissible unless there is specific reference to it being offered to the idol - making it a form of worship.

Chapter Synopsis

Chapter Synopsis

• Vss. 1-3 – Knowledge can cause one to be arrogant whereas love causes compassion.
• Vss. 4-6 – There is only one God and idols are nothing.
• Vss. 7-8 – Food does not commend us, or make us worthy to God.
• Vss. 9-13 – We should not allow our liberties in Christ be the cause of a brother to stumble.

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Knowledge and Love

Vss. 1-3 – Knowledge Can Cause One To Be Arrogant Whereas Love Causes Compassion.

• Paul does not dispute the fact that they have knowledge.
• Man in his own wisdom can be blinded by his own arrogance. - 1 Cor. 1:21
• Our knowledge that we have is nothing unless it is expressed in our love for God.

Knowledge and Love

Vss. 1-3 – Knowledge Can Cause One To Be Arrogant Whereas Love Causes Compassion.

• Paul does not dispute the fact that they have knowledge.
• Man in his own wisdom can be blinded by his own arrogance. - 1 Cor. 1:21
• Our knowledge that we have is nothing unless it is expressed in our love for God.

1 Cor. 1:21

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For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

Knowledge and Love

Vss. 1-3 – Knowledge Can Cause One To Be Arrogant Whereas Love Causes Compassion.

• Paul does not dispute the fact that they have knowledge.
• Man in his own wisdom can be blinded by his own arrogance. - 1 Cor. 1:21
• Our knowledge that we have is nothing unless it is expressed in our love for God.

Only One God - Idols Are Nothing

Vss 4-6 - It was known and understood that idols were nothing and there was only one true God.

• Even if there are so-called gods.
• God the Father, of whom are all things… Jesus Christ, through whom are all things.

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Only One God - Idols Are Nothing

Vss 4-6 - It was known and understood that idols were nothing and there was only one true God.

• Even if there are so-called gods.
• God the Father, of whom are all things… Jesus Christ, through whom are all things.

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1 Cor. 1:16-17

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For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

Only One God - Idols Are Nothing

Vss 4-6 - It was known and understood that idols were nothing and there was only one true God.

• Even if there are so-called gods.
• God the Father, of whom are all things… Jesus Christ, through whom are all things.

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Food Does Not Commend Us To God

Vss. 7-8 – Food Does Not Commend Us, Or Make Us Worthy To God.

• Consciousness is an important aspect of what Paul is teaching.

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Christian Liberties And Stumbling

Vss. 9-13 – We should not allow our liberties in Christ be the cause of a brother to stumble.

• Beware of our liberty and how it affects those who have not grown in the faith.
• Having a full understanding of sacrificial food and it’s use.
• The consequences of being the reason our bother to sin.

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Christian Liberties And Stumbling

Vss. 9-13 – We should not allow our liberties in Christ be the cause of a brother to stumble.

• Beware of our liberty and how it affects those who have not grown in the faith.
• Having a full understanding of sacrificial food and it’s use.
• The consequences of being the reason our bother to sin.

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Mk. 9:42

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But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.

Christian Liberties And Stumbling

Vss. 9-13 – We should not allow our liberties in Christ be the cause of a brother to stumble.

• Beware of our liberty and how it affects those who have not grown in the faith.
• Having a full understanding of sacrificial food and it’s use.
• The consequences of being the reason our bother to sin.

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Conclusion

Conclusion

• We are to continue to grow to maturity in Christ.
• We should never let our knowledge make us arrogant.
• Or knowledge must show love for the new Christian and their needs.
• If we are the cause for a brother to sin, we ourselves sin against Christ.
• Our liberties need to be sacrificed for the common good of the brethren.

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