This is what Paul uses as the basis for unity in this church -- not only the attitude of selflessness, which is the mind of Christ, but the responsibility to submit to his Lordship, the common responsibility that we have together. All rights reserved. In what ways have we failed to de-paganize? (Phil Long). Her hair is messed up! 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? It wasnt even about secondary doctrine (the second coming, the nature of baptism). They embraced the values of their Roman society, which divided over ethnicity (e.g., Jews vs. Gentiles) and social rank (wise vs. foolish, powerful Sermon 5: Who is the Most Important? He gathers disciples and establishes a church, a meeting place for educating his disciples. There are three different causes of divisions in churches that Paul mentions in I Corinthians. Subject to permissions policy, all rights reserved. And more than that, we have a responsibility to obey him, to follow his Lordship. Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? Then youre a Christian right? Even though our conversation could only continue for about 10 more minutes, this issue of divisions within the church arose. 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. And, after all, Peter even walked on water!" Paul here introduces that which can cure divisions, both negatively and positively. Paul gives the church a stern warning about their actions and the proper way to participate. 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. 4-The churchs failure to discipline. They embraced the values of their Roman society, which divided over ethnicity (e.g., Jews vs. Gentiles) and social rank (wise vs. foolish, powerful 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. This division in the church was over their own selfish ambitions evidenced in what they wanted. Verse 12 tells us the source of this problem. In the year 1 054 the Church was divided into two parts: 1) The Greek Eastern Church 2) The Roman Western Church. You could spot the Navigators going up and down the streets of Honolulu. This is the result of a religious snobbery associated by cliques that produced pride and conflict. While there can be problems with some (no recognised leadership, disorganised, isolated, cultishness, lack of cohesion etc) they can also produce some of the strongest disciples Ive seen for many years, and yet, they could easily claim to be that fourth division like the one at Corinth the I am of Christ division, where they have no name (no favoured preacher/teacher) but are still divided off. At that time it was under the leadership of its founder, Dawson Trotman, and it was my privilege and delight to be a close friend of his, to have spent a good deal of time with him and to come under the influence of his teaching and his methods. WebAccording to Paul, the communitys problems were the consequence of the Corinthians mistaken belief that they had already been exalted. "I appeal to you," he says, "by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." It would destroy the unity of the congregation and split them up and provide an inaccurate testimony to the Person of Christ before the watching world. The families have been seated. I do not think things have improved much since the first century. 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? God is not confused, and He does not contradict Himself. There were: the followers of Paul, the followers of Apollos, the followers of Cephas or Peter, and the followers of Christ. 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 issue was so important that Paul devotes the first four chapters of I Corinthians to divisions in the church. God, therefore, has designed that there be many teachers, many preachers, many viewpoints, in a church. One of his biggest goals is to double our congregation so we have 5,000 members. The groom and his attendants are in their places. 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. 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. For permission to use this content, please review Church has become about the pastor and not about his message. Near the cross, O Lamb of God, bring its scenes before me. The third danger of groups is given in the latter part of Verse13, and on through the next few verses: Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? He had received a report from the household of Cloe that there were quarrels among the members of the Corinthian church. It is possible, though, that the divisions among That is why the apostle appeals to it. Ones honor and reputation were valued highly and if someone attacked your reputation it was expected that you would defend yourself and retaliate by publicly bashing your attacker. We tend to fall out along doctrinal lines or because we are drawn to one charismatic pastor over another. 1 Corinthians 1-4 Division in the Church, division in the church of Corinth was over leadership, 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 Lawsuits Among Brothers, Corinthiaka in New Testament Blogs | Corinthian Matters, The Book of Enoch for Beginners: A Guide to Expand Your Understanding of the Biblical World. There is not a teacher among us today, or at any other time, who is able to open the mind and open the eyes of the heart and reveal to us the glory and majesty of God, not one. I was unaware of this connection before now but it really makes sense. I think we have failed to de-paganize the art of preaching/teaching if pastors/leaders are looking for patronage, prestige, and numbers over relationships, service, and transformation. He then goes on to explain that it was the Corinthian wisdom that created so much disunity. In 1 Corinthians, Paul consciously avoids disciple-teacher language. The Lords Supper was affected by the divisions between rich and poor and an overall general misunderstanding. He had received a report from the household of Cloe that there were quarrels among the members of the Corinthian church. We are of Peter." This unintentional mindset causes people to treat the Bible and its words like it is a product that can wear out, and ignored like an infomercial. The individual leaders should only point them to Christ. I have had people say to me, "Oh, Mr. Stedman, when you speak I see so clearly! The countless denominations and different beliefs of Christianity are often not appealing to non-believers. WebDivisions in the Church. WebThe Corinthians were basically making a mockery of Communion. 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. A gasp bursts from the guests! In 2019 he published a commentary. This Western Church soon became known as the Roman Catholic Church. We have our theological view points, and even our philosophical ones (even though we could have less of that in our churches today in my opinion) but we also have our social dimensions as well. That is why Paul calls us back to it. WebPaul rebukes the Corinthians because there are divisions and quarrels in the church. It seems like this isnt a problem and doesnt affect the church much in its present state. In Jesus' name, Amen. Conclusion. Some considering Paul their authority, other Apollos, others Peter, and still others accepted only Jesus as their authority. We become followers of out Pastors and churches rather than of Christ. I think the letter to the Philippians helps us here, because in that passage I just quoted from, Paul goes on to say, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus," (Philippians 2:5). Some considering Paul their authority, other Apollos, others Peter, and still others accepted only Jesus as their authority. 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. 12What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ.". A. I do not identify my self as being a follower of anybody but Jesus (although there are certain theologians that I do hold in higher regard than others). 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. These are two common causes of church divisions in the West. Faith rests on Gods shoulders alone- its not by our wisdom and ability (Polhill 237). It was expected. The content of their messages was in agreement, but the followers of these men probably focused on personality differences and distorted their teachings. Website 2023 by Ray Stedman Ministries. For example, in the first section from 1:10 to 4:21, it's errors regarding division. 2 Corinthians The cross of Christ is what will heal the fragmentation of Christians wherever they are. In conjunction with this, some people were questioning Pauls character and authority ( 1 Corinthians 14 ). For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. All that mattered to Paul was Jesus! In fact, there are still many divisions that exist today in modern churches. This is the result of a religious snobbery associated by cliques that produced pride and conflict. They did not try to hide the problems. Peter was an uneducated, common man and may have appealed to that group of people in Corinth. Paul then goes on to give us three very carefully stated clues in Verse13 as to what is wrong with this kind of thing. Others bragged that they were followers of Peter (1 Corinthians 1:12). 17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospelnot with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. Anyone who claims that he or she has an exclusive part in Christ is wrong. If it is to expand the congregation and further the work of the Lord in that area, and he had the whole agreement of the leadership of the church behind him, then it is fine to take part of the congregation and go away and begin another work. Paul doesnt want these divisions to continue, so he offers them an alternative. Long has taught full time at Grace Christian University since 1998, specializing in Bible and Biblical languages. 1-False prophets (2 Corinthians 11:13). 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. On a large jigsaw puzzle of a thousand pieces or more, its almost impossible to put it together upside down! It wasnt even about secondary doctrine (the second coming, the nature of baptism). Instead of tearing themselves apart, he urges them to be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. The members started to develop division following different leaders. 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. These are two common causes of church divisions in the West. And there are others who are drawn to some speaking style that has attracted them. Believers who are joined in heart should not find it difficult to be joined in hand, working together for the common good and for the glory of Christ.