The Doctrine of the Cross – Part II

The apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). It is the power and wisdom of God to those who are called (1 Corinthians 1:24).

Cross, the Wisdom of God

It is not the wisdom of words

Paul writes that lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power or made of no effect, God sent me to preach the gospel of the cross but not with eloquent wisdom or clever speech (1 Corinthians 1:17).

• The wisdom of God is the bold and assertive proclamation of the testimony of God, and not excellence of speech (1 Corinthians 2:1).
• The wisdom of God is the demonstration of the Spirit and the power of God, and not persuasive or enticing words (1 Corinthians 2:4, 5)
• The wisdom of God is the teaching of the Holy Spirit explaining spiritual truths, and not words taught by human wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:13)
• The wisdom of God lies in the testimony of our conscience, our behavior in the world, how we live with holiness and godly sincerity, and does not rely on worldly wisdom (2 Corinthians 1:12).

Paul agrees that he is an untrained, unskilled, rude speaker (2 Corinthians 11:6). Even people who heard his speech say that his words are unimpressive, worthless and contemptible (2 Corinthians 10:10). But God chose such a man to travel approximately 25,000 kilometers for nearly 18 years of his life time, reaching the Jews and gentiles with the message of the cross. The world in the first century was privileged to receive the greatest contribution to Christianity by one man, Paul. The world could not know God through its highest wisdom. But God is pleased to save the world through our foolish preaching of the cross (1 Corinthians 1:21).

Christ Jesus, Our Wisdom from God

Jesus Christ Himself has become our wisdom from God (1 Corinthians 1:30). All treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ (Colossians 2:3).

• Wisdom in Creation – His works are manifold, exhibiting His wisdom and understanding (Psalm 104:24; Proverbs 3:19).
• Wisdom in Redemption – From the beginning God kept secret all His mysterious plans. Now through the church He makes known His plans of redemption to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. It is the display of His manifold wisdom (Ephesians 3:9-11).

God’s Absolute Plan of Redemption from Genesis to Revelation:

• Creation
• Fall of man (Satan’s plot succeeds)
• Israel formed
  -Law, judges, kings, priests and prophets given to Israel to keep them in track with Him
• Fall of Israel
• Silent years
• Son of God is born on earth (not as king as they expected)
• Ministry of Jesus on earth, the perfect model
• Death of Christ
• Resurrection of Christ
• Satan’s head crushed, but tail on operation
• Ascension of Christ
• Outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost
• Church formed
• Nation of Israel formed again (1948) (Prophesy fulfilled – Jeremiah 23:7, 8)
• Church preparing to meet God on one end, corruptions within church in the other end
• Rapture of the faithful church
• Satan rules the world
• Tribulation and Great tribulation for the left over church, the Jews and the world
• Second Advent of Christ
• 1000 year reign of Jesus and His saints on earth while Satan is bound
• Absolute doom of Satan
• Judgment of God
• Eternity

Let us therefore remember that even if we are called fools on earth, the foolishness of God is always wiser than the outstanding wisdom of men (1 Corinthians 1:25).