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NASB | 1 Corinthians 9:1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 9:1 Am I not free [unrestrained and exempt from any obligation]? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our [risen] Lord [in person]? Are you not [the result and proof of] my work in the Lord? |
Bible Question:
Please let me know if scripture indicates whether or not Paul continued to make tents after his conversion. Someone has said to me that the book of Acts does not mention Paul making tents anymore therefor the conclusion is that he no longer made them as a means of support. This argument is being proposed to me as grounds for regarding the Church as a "business". I maintain that it is an assumptive argument at best to say because "Paul making tents" does not appear in the book of Acts (I haven't yet searched scripture to see if that is true or not), he definitely did not make them anymore. Further, I maintain that a local church should be a God ordained institution that although subject to the laws and regulations of the particular land which it occupies, cannot be termed a "business" implying a motivation of natural, personal gain. Thank you for your help. |
Bible Answer: Read 1 Cor 9:3 - 26. Paul is saying that a minister should be paid. In verse 11 in particular Paul is saying if I sow to you spiritual things shouldn't you sow back to me physical things. In any case Paul also says (verse 6) he worked to support himself. While I can't say Paul did in fact continue to make tents, we can say he did work to support himself Acts 20:33-35 and the logical conclusion is he did it making tents. The term Paul was making tents is not analogy to church. The reference to tent making is showing that Paul in many cases provided for himself. As for the church as a business alas the government has forced that upon the church. In today's world it a church must conduct itself to some extent as a business. It has to meet OSHA and Worker comp laws, it has to have meet IRS and State payroll and tax laws, it has to meet equal rights, handicap and environmental laws. To protect the members it has to incorporate, holding election of officers, and business meetings. It has to insure it functions within the guidelines specified for Not for Profit operations. However the church should be concerned for souls not money. EdB |