Chapter Summary That is the mind Paul is talking about. In other words, there must be agreement with Christ, with His will, and with His Word. The members started to develop division following different leaders. WebDivisions in the Church. 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 comes that great Christological passage where he describes how Christ, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. in the Corinthian Church Perhaps, in their individual efforts, they had missed some spots; so the suggestion was made, Lets all join hands and go through the long grass again. Finally, the child was found, but it was too late. He says, in effect, "You don't cure divisions in a church by identification badges. But you could always tell a Navigator because there were three things that he always had: First, he had a Scofield Reference Bible tucked under his arm. Paul always expresses great concern about the possibility of a split in the church. 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. Everybody has their denomination and they cling relentless to their doctrinal beliefs. Sermon 5: Who is the Most Important? This is what Paul does here. They were boasting over who had baptized them. We all know what a clique is. WebThe members of the Corinthian church we disunited because they were pledging their allegiance to human leaders rather than God. But it is the exclusiveness that Paul is concerned about here -- people who do not even want to come to a service if someone other than their favorite is preaching. in the Corinthian Church Now, how could that be? In Philippians 2:9 Paul said of Christ, Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name. No Christian, no Christian minister, is to put himself in Christs place, or allow himself to be put in Christs place, and take the authority and honor that is due to Christ alone. The divisions of Christendom are the scandal of Christianity. The church at Corinth had divided loyalty to different leaders. The church at Corinth had divided loyalty to different leaders. To resolve this issue, he encourages communal love. There are several things that split the church today. Public arguments were commonplace in the Greco-Roman world at the time that Paul was writing to the Corinthian church. They forget, of course, that the church never belongs to anybody but the Lord. Subject to permissions policy, all rights reserved. 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. If so, what results are we shooting for? Religious snobs want to be a part of a small group who He appeals to them in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. A. There are even discrepancies inside single denominations (which means we have division inside our divisions, great). To resolve this issue, he encourages communal love. This Western Church soon became known as the Roman Catholic Church. We must allow him the privilege of doing that. He recognizes that we share a common life if we have come to Christ; we are brothers and sisters because we have his life in us. He was a rhetorician who was especially capable in the allegorical style of teaching of the Old Testament. And some of them are really gross. The church was divided into factions, and one group was urging him to take half the congregation and go to another part of the city and start a new church. They embraced the values of their Roman society, which divided over ethnicity (e.g., Jews vs. Gentiles) and social rank (wise vs. foolish, powerful 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. I think today if church leaders focus on Jesus and only Jesus we would be so much healthier. Whenever this attitude of gathering around a man is allowed to perpetuate itself, it is the source of much trouble and difficulty. WebDivisions in the Church. Others bragged that they were followers of Peter (1 Corinthians 1:12). What he says we'll listen to, not Paul or Peter or anyone else -- it makes no difference to us." The Lord Jesus is praying to the Father, and this is part of His prayer for us: I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one; even as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us; that the world may believe that You sent Me. There are many other things that do cause serious problems stemming from the outside world. It is possible that these divisions represent competing house churches, some founded by Paul, some by Apollos. [Then he thinks of another group that he had baptized] (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Sometimes two or three hundred sailors, all of them Christians, would be there. The first thing Paul says is that it tends to chop up Christ and parcel him out as though his person and his work came in various packages, thus you lose perspective of the whole of Christian theology. These are two common causes of church divisions in the West. The bridesmaids have come down the aisle. Sometimes a church leader can have so much clout that he begins to have cult status. The real problem behind the divisions is that the church continues to act like Christianity is just another philosophy, and teachers are in competition with each other just as the Greek orators competed. That is what Paul speaks about. In comparison to modern churches, its easy to say that there are hardly any divisions among Christians and differing churchesbut could these divisions still exist today? In fact, these divisions are a sign of worldliness. Paul exhorts them to agree. Paul wants the Corinthian church to mend the broken relationships that have been caused by the divisions among its members. 1-False prophets (2 Corinthians 11:13). With all the differences among us, it is impossible to get people to think alike. "One is your master; all of you are brothers," (Matthew 23:8 KJV). Will we do so by the strength which God alone can and will supply? Offshoots had disturbed the church. But even if there are multiple house churches founded by different leaders, Paul passionately argues that the body of Christ cannot be divided in this way. In the same way, thats not the way the Church was meant to be fitted together. Other divisions were to follow. (I have been trying for a long time to get my wife to accept that!) It is possible that these divisions represent competing house churches, some founded by Paul, some by Apollos. 1-False prophets (2 Corinthians 11:13). For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. All that mattered to Paul was Jesus! That is why Paul calls us back to it. Were you baptized into the name of Paul? The search went on until nightfall, but no answer came to their urgent calls. The cross of Christ is what will heal the fragmentation of Christians wherever they are. It is possible, though, that the divisions among He said so himself. In Matthew 12:25 the Lord Jesus says, Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself shall not stand.. There was extreme competition among the orators for honor and power. Paul, however, was a good leader. Then not only did they have the Bible, but every Navigator who was anybody at all had to have an index drawn in on the pages of the Bible, a kind of a ladder that gave you a clue to where the books were so that with your thumb you could turn up any book in the Bible almost instantly. Some considering Paul their authority, other Apollos, others Peter, and still others accepted only Jesus as their authority. Unlike most of his other epistles, Paul plunges right into the heart of the practical problems that were affecting this church, and the first of these, the problem of divisions within the church, he begins to deal with in Chapter1, Verse10. Unfortunately, this has effected our outreach. In my experience though, I find that it is carnal and unspiritual leaders that put up walls and fences between members of the body. Since November 2021, Reading Acts is edited by Sarah Westphal. The news went out but no one had seen the little fellow. There are three different causes of divisions in churches that Paul mentions in I Corinthians. 7-False zeal for spiritual gifts. I think that some of the ways we have failed to de-paganize is because we are still so focused on the little things that make up the church. This Western Church soon became known as the Roman Catholic Church. A second issue that seems to keep the church divided (the whole church and individual churches) is the little things such as the structure of the service, the type of music played for worship, whether a pastor should always wear a tie, and what color should be used in the bathroom. Paul did not want to present the Gospel as an orator, competing for students as they did. That was a mark of status with them. 4-The churchs failure to discipline. Some considering Paul their authority, other Apollos, others Peter, and still others accepted only Jesus as their authority. This consumerism that we face today in the end doesnt seem all that much different from the way the Christian faith was treated like just another philosophy back in the days of Paul. It was a glorious work. Dio Chrysostom complained that Corinth was filled with wretched sophists, many of whom were debating one another with shouting and abuse near the temple to Poseidon. It is well known that division in the church of Corinth was over leadership. It was expected. The Lords Supper was affected by the divisions between rich and poor and an overall general misunderstanding. Paul is putting his finger right on the problem when he asks, "Was Paul crucified for you?" Causes One of the celebrities was Paul himself some believers at Corinth actually claimed to be his followers. That is always the unifying factor in a church, and that is the mind that is to be among us, the mind that does not consider itself the most important thing. It wipes out all the petty distinctions that men make among themselves. I hang on every word you say. Four groups had formed in the Corinthian church. One of the celebrities was Paul himself some believers at Corinth actually claimed to be his followers. Corinthians But yet the apostle says they are to be of the same mind. Sometimes a church leader can have so much clout that he begins to have cult status. Whatever you say, I believe." The Protestant Reformation had its beginnings in 1517 (see Chapter 1 0). For permission to use this content, please review WebAccording to Paul, the communitys problems were the consequence of the Corinthians mistaken belief that they had already been exalted. In the year 1 054 the Church was divided into two parts: 1) The Greek Eastern Church 2) The Roman Western Church. Members follow him blindly and whatever they do seems right to them. In 1 Corinthians, Paul consciously avoids disciple-teacher language. Divisions in the Church The Lords Supper was affected by the divisions between rich and poor and an overall general misunderstanding. His followers in the Corinthian church may have viewed Christianity as a philosophy rather than a relationship with a Person Jesus Christ. Others bragged that they were followers of Peter (1 Corinthians 1:12). Many of the other problems were flowing out of this division within the congregation. And, after all, Peter even walked on water!" He had received a report from the household of Cloe that there were quarrels among the members of the Corinthian church. The basic meaning is to put back together and make one again something that was broken or separated. The individual leaders should only point them to Christ. In the year 1 054 the Church was divided into two parts: 1) The Greek Eastern Church 2) The Roman Western Church. That is what they were doing with baptism here in Corinth. He has Masters degrees in Biblical Exposition and Old Testament from Talbot School of Theology (BIOLA) and a PhD in New Testament from Andrews University. And I say that because some people focus on PREACHER instead of THE SAVIOR. Some followed Apollos whom they honored above Paul (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4; Acts 18:24 to 19:1). Doesnt He deserve better than this? the author asks. They embraced the values of their Roman society, which divided over ethnicity (e.g., Jews vs. Gentiles) and social rank (wise vs. foolish, powerful Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? We may not all agree on the way to do church but there is definitely more than one effective way. Now, it cannot. The same viewpoints are still dividing people. This division in the church was over their own selfish ambitions evidenced in what they wanted. It wasnt even about secondary doctrine (the second coming, the nature of baptism). Remember, a believer who is at war with his brother or sister in Christ cannot be at peace with our heavenly Father. Each group claimed to be better than the others, and party spirits began to grow in the church. The Factions At Corinth This introduces one of the greatest passages in the Bible, setting forth the difference between the wisdom of man and the wisdom of God. The content of their messages was in agreement, but the followers of these men probably focused on personality differences and distorted their teachings. That is not the work of men; that is the work of God himself. Corinthians I. PAULS APPEAL FOR UNITY (verses 10-12). I always have, and always will believe that this overly exaggerated concept of denominations is a problem. Corinthians The members started to develop division following different leaders. These are not the only causes of divisions in churches today. Now, he describes the nature of unity this way, "that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment." In verse 11, Paul gives the reason for his appeal for unity in the church at Corinth. I dont remember Paul seeing any thing like these issues as other than trivial. In the body of Christ at large there are many who can make a contribution to the understanding of Christ. We tend to fall out along doctrinal lines or because we are drawn to one charismatic pastor over another. This doesnt mean that they have to agree on the minutest points in areas where there is no clear teaching in Scripture. Some people will pick other matters of doctrine to affirm. Dio Chrysostom visited Corinth about A.D. 89-96. One of his biggest goals is to double our congregation so we have 5,000 members. Conclusion. There he indicates that the problem with cliquishness is that it tends to overemphasize the significance of the human leader. So he says, "I didn't baptize many of you. Every piece of that jigsaw puzzle is different, isnt it? It is possible, though, that the divisions among 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. (1Corinthians 1:12 RSV), Now, there was the trouble at Corinth. The cross strips away our illusions and brings the pride of men tumbling down from that high place where it exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Try it some time. Now, church unity is a very important matter, and, because of its significance, Paul puts it first in the list of problems he has to deal with here at Corinth. I remember a few years ago being at a family congress in St. Louis, Missouri, when one of the evening speakers was Dr.Oswald Hoffman, the very capable and powerful preacher on the Lutheran Hour radio program. I have to admit though that sometimes I think about numbers and recognition and want that. He had received a report from the household of Cloe that there were quarrels among the members of the Corinthian church. We reveal our immaturity when we insist that only those with certain characteristics are the ones we will listen to, or we feel can bless or strengthen our lives. the background of the Corinthian Church Paul gives the church a stern warning about their actions and the proper way to participate. In verse 11, Paul gives the reason for his appeal for unity in the church at Corinth. For a local church to be spiritually healthy and effective, and for there to be harmony in the local church, there must be doctrinal unity. He didnt focus on himself being superior to all the rest of the church leaders. 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. Because I am a little defensive it seems like they are almost my enemy. That is why we have four gospels, because not even one of the disciples who was with the Lord was capable of giving us a complete enough view of Christ. Other divisions were to follow. Here are our first clues as to what is wrong with this kind of cliquishness in a church. Now to this, there should be a division that exists considering that there are some denominations that do teach correct biblical doctrine, while other churches deviate from correct biblical doctrine in order to teach their own false doctrines. Lewis.". WebPaul goes right on, in Verse 12, 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." Sermon 5: Who is the Most Important? Paul, however, was a good leader. Conclusion. Paul knew this and said in 1 Corinthians 2:1-2, When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed the testimony about God. There is no other name big enough, great enough, glorious enough, and powerful enough to gather everybody together, despite the diversity of viewpoint and the differences of background or status in life, than the name of Jesus. Now, we all have our favorite preacher, and up to a point that is not wrong. It took four viewpoints to report his earthly life and ministry accurately enough to us. Why are these thing SO important? They will not all be the same flavor; they will not all have the same characteristics. To an unbeliever, this looks like we cannot agree on our own religion. They are still acting just like the world. This is the challenge of the divisions in 1 Corinthians how does the modern church act just like the world? Website 2023 by Ray Stedman Ministries. In verse 10 we see both Pauls affection for the Corinthian church, and his authority as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. 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. This is a radical principle that we need to understand, because, when you understand the cross, there will be no room left for the divisions of men. Some considering Paul their authority, other Apollos, others Peter, and still others accepted only Jesus as their authority. When you follow one man you are getting a view of Christ, but there is no teacher in the church who has ever come along -- including the Apostle Paul himself -- who has ever had a totally complete view of Christ.