Paul here introduces that which can cure divisions, both negatively and positively. Even though the churches within a certain denomination agree to the same biblical teachings, some churches within those denominations may begin to disagree with the biblical teachings and break away from the denomination to become affiliated with another denomination that aligns with their beliefs. Paul goes right on, in Verse12, to describe the forms that these divisions were taking in the church of Corinth: What I mean is that each one of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas" [another name for Peter], or "I belong to Christ." (Philippians 2:6-8 RSV). Here are our first clues as to what is wrong with this kind of cliquishness in a church. In what ways have we failed to de-paganize? (Phil Long). I've not forgotten that incident because it seems to me to capture the very attitude Paul is describing here. How important was unity to the apostle Paul, and to the Holy Spirit who moved Him to write this letter to the Church in Corinth? Let's get back to the beginnings. To an unbeliever, this looks like we cannot agree on our own religion. WebPaul rebukes the Corinthians because there are divisions and quarrels in the church. Her hair is messed up! Paul rejects this disunity, telling the church members to focus on Christ. In fact, there are still many divisions that exist today in modern churches. They were boasting over who had baptized them. So he says, "I didn't baptize many of you. It is possible, though, that the divisions among The better the orator, the higher the fee, and the more disciples he will attract. 4-The churchs failure to discipline. To resolve this issue, he encourages communal love. A. 7-False zeal for spiritual gifts. This Western Church soon became known as the Roman Catholic Church. We are so proud of them when they look right, but when things start to fall apart, the church begins to fall apart as well. Some considering Paul their authority, other Apollos, others Peter, and still others accepted only Jesus as their authority. The members started to develop division following different leaders. The Protestant Reformation had its beginnings in 1517 (see Chapter 1 0). The word divisions comes from the Greek word schismata, from which we get our English word schism. We get so off track of what Christianity is all aboutMark 12:30-31 and begin focusing on worldly things like Rob Bell debated are actually being held to see if this Pastor is even Christian! For example, in the first section from 1:10 to 4:21, it's errors regarding division. But yet the apostle says they are to be of the same mind. In my church it seems like they are all about numbers. So undoubtedly there was a big group that followed Paul. WebDivisions in the Church. Christ belongs fully to every believer in His spiritual body, the Church. If someone comes on preaching the doctrines that were emphasized during the Reformation, he will get a great following of people who think that the Reformation was the whole sum and substance of all great Christian truth. And if you were really on the inside circle, your ladder was drawn by none other than Dawson Trotman himself! Now, here the apostle makes very clear that the tendency among groupies is to distort the meaning of symbols. So rather that detailing their accomplishments as orators, Paul describes their functions (Paul planted, Apollos watered, etc.) So we have the possibility for this very thing right here. That was the mark, that was the identification badge. He then goes on to describe for us the mind of Christ, which is a willingness to give up rights and personal privileges and give in and take a lower place. Some say, "I am of Gothard," and others say, "No, I am of Bright." They failed to take seriously the power of evil; their behavior caused divisions in the church and led to a lack of concern for other members. It is well known that division in the church of Corinth was over leadership. WebThe Christians at Corinth were dividing the church by pledging their loyalties to different celebrities. My impression is that the same sorts of problems evident in Corinth are clearly evident in the contemporary church, whether that is West Michigan or Brisbane. One of them being the reason to follow a specific pastor. The basic meaning is to put back together and make one again something that was broken or separated. Paul gives the church a stern warning about their actions and the proper way to participate. 10 I appeal to you, brothers,[ a] by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. Their divisions, lack of church discipline, lawsuits, abuse of Christian liberty and over-emphasis of the gift of tongues, all illustrate this root problem. Paul wants the Corinthian church to mend the broken relationships that have been caused by the divisions among its members. So, just a few texts and there are so many more. This division in the church was over their own selfish ambitions evidenced in what they wanted. Like I talked about in the first posting, the emerging church makes me question a lot of things they are doing. For example, in the first section from 1:10 to 4:21, it's errors regarding division. Even as Christians, there seems to be the desire of wanting to uphold one pastor over another by comparison and ultimately glorifying certain pastors. I understand the fact that people have different beliefs and would like to stick to those (it is good to sick to what you believe) but when you get so segregated that you cannot work together anymore, it becomes a serious problem. So they were splitting and arguing and quarreling over the relative merit and authority of these various teachers. God is not confused, and He does not contradict Himself. He was a rhetorician who was especially capable in the allegorical style of teaching of the Old Testament. The ground, of course, is the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I have to admit though that sometimes I think about numbers and recognition and want that. I thank God that only a few of you can say that about me." I would like to close this service by reading what one man wrote about the cross: It is well that we should think sometimes of the Upper Room and the Last Supper, and of his soul, "exceeding sorrowful unto death"; of Gethsemane and the deep shadow of the olive trees; his loneliness, prayers, and disappointment with his disciples; his bloody sweat; the traitor's kiss; the binding, the blow in the face, the spitting, the buffeting, the mocking, the scourging, the crown of thorns, the smiting; the sorrowful way and the burdensome cross; the exhaustion and collapse; the stripping, the impaling, and the jeers of his foes, and the flight of his friends; the hours on the cross; the darkness, his being forsaken of God; his thirst, and the end. WebPaul rebukes the Corinthians because there are divisions and quarrels in the church. It is interesting how quickly we forget where our gifts come from and think we are the cause of success. Therefore our boasting should only be in the Lord (1 Corinthains 1:26-31). I would agree that we find ourselves in much the same situations as those listening to the Greek philosophers/orators. There was nothing wrong with them, they were very helpful, but it was not very long before they became status symbols, and they were used to put down, not always intentionally, those who did not have them. One of the celebrities was Paul himself some believers at Corinth actually claimed to be his followers. The congregation then is to submit to the elders because it has confidence that their decisions were made under the Holy Spirits direction and power. Religious snobs want to be a part of a small group who In my experience though, I find that it is carnal and unspiritual leaders that put up walls and fences between members of the body. These are not the only causes of divisions in churches today. 4-The churchs failure to discipline. When the Corinthians divided into factions, it wasnt so much about core doctrine (nature of God, nature of Christ, the Gospel, the nature of man). So they said, "When Peter came, we really felt that we were on solid ground. If you survey the church scene all over America today, you find people dividing up this way. There was still a fourth group, and in some ways I think they were probably the worst. As we do, I hope every one of us will understand more and more fully the character of this radical principle that God has turned loose among us, this revolutionary idea represented in the cross of Christ that wipes out all these distinctions among men. The individual leaders should only point them to Christ. He had received a report from the household of Cloe that there were quarrels among the members of the Corinthian church. Some considering Paul their authority, other Apollos, others Peter, and still others accepted only Jesus as their authority. The human condition is, unfortunately, one of comparison that seeks to place oneself or their beliefs over another. Each group claimed to be better than the others, and party spirits began to grow in the church. It was a glorious work. It is possible, though, that the divisions among We tend to deify men, and people look at them as if they can do no wrong, can made no errors, that they know everything and can settle all questions. The members started to develop division following different leaders. When the Corinthians divided into factions, it wasnt so much about core doctrine (nature of God, nature of Christ, the Gospel, the nature of man). This Western Church soon became known as the Roman Catholic Church. They were caused by Cliques (1:12; 3:4). 2- The Churchs division. They forget, of course, that the church never belongs to anybody but the Lord. Only the Lord Jesus Christ could pay the penalty for our sins because only He is the Son of God. The bride is limping! We came to life in Christ by Paul, and Paul is the one we're going to listen to above all others." In the year 1 054 the Church was divided into two parts: 1) The Greek Eastern Church 2) The Roman Western Church. A. If I was not raised in a Christian home, I think that I would have the same concerns. God is all about people, not money, and I feel sorry for anyone who tries to take over the current move of God, put it in a box, stick a label on it, and own it they will be swept away. He didnt focus on himself being superior to all the rest of the church leaders. Others were saying, "Well, Apollos himself baptized me." (1Corinthians 1:10 RSV). If you limit yourself to one speaker or one teacher and feed only on him, you are getting a distorted view of Jesus Christ; you are chopping Christ up, dividing him and taking one little portion as one man reports it and ignoring the rest, thus your view of Christ is deficient and unable to satisfy you as it was intended to do. That was a mark of status with them. With Pauls harsh criticism of said divisions, you would think that we might have learned how to move beyond that in the 21st Century, however, that is not the case. Whatever you say, I believe." It is well known that division in the church of Corinth was over leadership. The divisions of Christendom are the scandal of Christianity. Phillip J. Since November 2021, Reading Acts is edited by Sarah Westphal. By focusing on Jesus we can see how important the parts of church really are. Their conflicts undoubtedly had its theological and philosophical dimensions, but it was social as well, human and petty, high on pride and low on love (Polhill 233). That is why Paul calls us back to it. It is possible that these divisions represent competing house churches, some founded by Paul, some by Apollos. I agree with Greg, I see a lot of times where Pastors begin to care more about the number of the congregation rather on the connectedness of it. Then there were the stylists, those who were attracted by the different kinds of preaching, and they had especially been drawn to Apollos. We pray that it may be rich and real in our hearts as we live this week together. He says, in effect, "You don't cure divisions in a church by identification badges. They became symbols of prestige and standing that became divisive factors among the men. They are his family in Christ. We do not know who the people were who belonged to the house of Cloe, but we must commend them for their courage and devotion. Now, he describes the nature of unity this way, "that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment." In Jesus' name, Amen. We tend to fall out along doctrinal lines or because we are drawn to one charismatic pastor over another. The members started to develop division following different leaders. John 12:37-50, THE PARADOX OF LIFE FROM DEATH John 12:20-26, THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM JOHN 12:9-19, SPIRITUAL LIGHT AND DARKNESS John 9:35-41. This is what Paul does here. Aside from this acceptable division within the modern church, there are also two other reasons for division which should not exist. When the lifeless body of the little one was carried back to the anxious mother, she cried aloud, Oh why didnt you join hands before?. 1-False prophets (2 Corinthians 11:13). Whenever this attitude of gathering around a man is allowed to perpetuate itself, it is the source of much trouble and difficulty. We all know what a clique is. Their divisions, lack of church discipline, lawsuits, abuse of Christian liberty and over-emphasis of the gift of tongues, all illustrate this root problem. Was Paul crucified for you? Everybody has their denomination and they cling relentless to their doctrinal beliefs. Public arguments were commonplace in the Greco-Roman world at the time that Paul was writing to the Corinthian church. (1 Corinthians 1:12 RSV) Now, there was the trouble at Corinth. The minister is waiting, Bible in hand. WebAnd you know, that gives me some idea of how important this is to God, because from 1:10 to the ninth verse of the sixteenth Chapter, he just talks about the errors in the church. From the book of Acts we learn that Apollos was an outstanding orator in a world that loved and appreciated oratory. Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? Paul condemns their behavior in verse 13 by saying, Has Christ been divided? In other words, have different amounts of Christ been given to different people? WebThe spirit that wrought such mischief at Corinth has been busy in the Church ever since. They were caused by Cliques (1:12; 3:4). Doesnt He deserve better than this? the author asks. 6-Members defiling the Lords Supper. Orators have to be so careful not to let teaching become a pride thing rather than a gift they share to better the other. I dont remember Paul seeing any thing like these issues as other than trivial. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. The Navigators in those days did a great work in the Navy throughout the whole of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and hundreds of young men were led to Christ through their efforts during the war years. In other words, there must be agreement with Christ, with His will, and with His Word. Paul always expresses great concern about the possibility of a split in the church. It is not merely that the Church is everywhere split up into sections, but that this has led to party strife and jealousy. His most recent book is The Book of Enoch for Beginners: A Guide to Expand Your Understanding of the Biblical World (Rockridge, 2022). Are we willing to love each other as Christ loved us? Its not just the denominations per se any more theres also a proliferation of house churches too. 10 I appeal to you, brothers,[ a] by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. Polhill says, every Corinthian had their own favorite preacher (237). (1Corinthians 1:13 RSV). (1 Corinthians 1:12 RSV) Now, there was the trouble at Corinth. His followers in the Corinthian church may have viewed Christianity as a philosophy rather than a relationship with a Person Jesus Christ. So, just a few texts and there are so many more. I told them that it is a concern of mine as well. One of the celebrities was Paul himself some believers at Corinth actually claimed to be his followers. Acts 18:24 says that Apollos was an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man. What happens when you get a tear in a piece of clothing and you keep washing and wearing that piece of clothing with the tear in it? Now, you do not have to be very old to recognize that that is still a problem in the church. The Corinthian church had many problems, and most of them were the result of pride and placing so much emphasis on social status. Do we need to be looking for results? Who are we, that we should put our interests and our desires ahead of that of the Lord for his church? For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, and whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. You and I cant have more of the Lord Jesus Christ, but we can give Him more of ourselves, and experience more fully what is already ours as children of God. We all know what a clique is. The church at Corinth had divided loyalty to different leaders. The same viewpoints are still dividing people. We must allow him the privilege of doing that. You may recall also that in writing to the church at Ephesus, he exhorted the elders there to be careful to "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace," (Ephesians 4:3 RSV). Unless its mended, the tear gets bigger and bigger, doesnt it? (I have been trying for a long time to get my wife to accept that!) Within our churches, and even in our own denominations (sophisticated name for divisions), we argue about church funds, whos on the worship team, and whether the youth should have long hair. They may have carried Pauls teachings of justification by faith and freedom from the Law to an extreme and felt free to do whatever they wanted. Remember, a believer who is at war with his brother or sister in Christ cannot be at peace with our heavenly Father. And I say that because some people focus on PREACHER instead of THE SAVIOR. I hang on every word you say. With all the differences among us, it is impossible to get people to think alike. As a result, this led to the division among Christian converts and to the Christian community as a whole. I am sure there were many in Corinth who were saying, "Oh, I love to hear Apollos! 5-Members going to pagan courts to settle disputes. I always have, and always will believe that this overly exaggerated concept of denominations is a problem. We tend to fall out along doctrinal lines or because we are drawn to one charismatic pastor over another. We need to be perfectly joined together in the love of Christ. They were burdened about them, and they went to the right person with them. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. It would be great if all of you would think like me, but unfortunately there are stubborn ones among you, there are depraved ones among you, there are those who have different backgrounds than I have, and some of you just do not think like I do! There is not a single teacher who ever lived who can heal the hurt of a broken heart, or supply energy and adequacy to someone who feels worthless and unable to function in society, not one. If I am not out of line I seem to remember that Constantine played a large role in allowing Pagan influences back into the Christian Life. Phil Long is correct, we have not improved much since the first century. Other divisions were to follow. 6-Members defiling the Lords Supper. Some Corinthian Christians were dividing over church teachers. You could spot the Navigators going up and down the streets of Honolulu. Conclusion. Many of us are familiar with this common phenomenon in human psychology of thinking that some symbolic thing that is of use to us is so important that we finally make it a badge of the group to which we belong. 2- The Churchs division. Christians are all disciples, or better, stewards and servants of the mysteries of God (1 Cor 4:1). 2 Corinthians The Gentiles coming into this new Church do not seem to be able to see the differences between it and a Greco-Roman philosopher gathering disciples and educating them in a particular philosophy. In conjunction with this, some people were questioning Pauls character and authority ( 1 Corinthians 14 ). What he says we'll listen to, not Paul or Peter or anyone else -- it makes no difference to us." RayStedman.org/permissions. The countless denominations and different beliefs of Christianity are often not appealing to non-believers. Yet, in reality as long as correct biblical doctrine is being taught no pastor should be viewed in comparison to one another. The Protestant Reformation had its beginnings in 1517 (see Chapter 1 0). No man would ever have planned the cross. No man is the Savior; no man can deliver us except Jesus. The facts in the gospel are what will set us free, and particularly, he says, the word of the cross. Here in Verse10 he briefly shows us the ground of unity, and the nature of unity in a church. And there are others who are drawn to some speaking style that has attracted them. They would have the Scofield Reference Bible and a notebook under one arm, and you knew that if you examined their Bibles you would find the ladder index on the pages.