‘Mid-Acts-ers’ go to this one verse (1 Tim 1:16) as a ‘proof-text’ that Paul was the first member of a ‘new’ church .... that BEGAN with HIM .... called ‘the church, the body of Christ’. However, there is no mention of a church in the context .... not a NEW church, not a PAULINE church, not a body of Christ church, not ANY church:
1 Tim 1:12-17 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious:
but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation,
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;
of whom I am chief (Greek [protos]).
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy,
that in me first (Greek [protos])
Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering,
for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
17 Now unto the King (NOTICE: Paul called Jesus ‘King’ .... which I have NEVER heard any ‘mid-Acts-er’ do. They make all references to Jesus being King as King of the JEWS, not us.) eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
POINT # 1: In verse 16, ‘mid-Acts-ers’ teach that Paul was the FIRST person to be saved into a DIFFERENT church. But the same Greek word [protos] translated ‘first’ in verse 16, is translated ‘chief’ in verse 15. If the same ‘mid-Acts’ formula was used in verse 15 (like they use in verse 16), they would have to say that Paul was the FIRST sinner.
POINT # 2: Paul said he was the chief of sinners .... NOT because of "the works of the flesh" as in Gal 5:19-21, since "as touching the law" he was "a Pharisee" and as "touching the righteousness which is in the law" he was "blameless" (Phil 3:4-6). Paul was the ‘main’ sinner .... because he was the ‘main/principal’ opponent of the church (also see 1 Cor 15:9, Gal 1:13).
POINT # 3: A insightful key in 1 Tim 1:12-17, can also be seen by the repetitive words, "I obtained mercy," (1 Tim 1:13,16). Paul also applied the issue of ‘obtaining mercy’ to the Gentiles because of Israel’s unbelief (vs. 30) .... then he spread it back on Israel (vs. 31) .... and then over all without distinction (vs. 32):
Rom 11:30-32 For as ye in times past have not believed God,
yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
31 Even so have these also now not believed,
that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief,
that he might have mercy upon all.
Peter likewise referred to the same old testament prophecy as Paul did and Peter used much of the same language as Paul did:
1 Peter 2:9-10 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; (also see Titus 2:14) that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness (also see Col 1:13) into his marvellous light: (also see Phil 2:15)
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: (also see Hosea 1:10, 2 Cor 6:15) which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
POINT # 4: Another important topic in 1 Tim 1:12-17, is that Jesus Christ showed all longsuffering (1 Tim 1:16) to the ‘chief/first’ of sinners. Paul expressed the same principle in Romans:
Rom 9:22-26 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known,
endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy,
which he had afore prepared unto glory,
24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only,
but also of the Gentiles?
25 As he saith also in Osee, (Paul quoting the old testament, and applying it to the Gentiles also) I will call them my people, which were not my people;
and her beloved, which was not beloved.
26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people;
there shall they be called the children of the living God.
POINT # 5: The Greek word translated ‘pattern’ (1 Tim 1:16) is also translated ‘form’ in 2 Tim 1:13. It is an outline, a sketch, a summary exposition, an example that the same grace and mercy Paul was given, would not be wanting to others who would believe. ‘Jesus showing longsuffering’ was the pattern .... not Paul. He was just the recipient of it:
1 Tim 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy,
that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering,
for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
There are several doctrines taught in 1 Tim 1:12-17, but ‘Paul being the first member of a new church’ is certainly not one of them.
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
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