They were caused by Cliques (1:12; 3:4). He gathers disciples and establishes a church, a meeting place for educating his disciples. Then there were the stylists, those who were attracted by the different kinds of preaching, and they had especially been drawn to Apollos. The first noticeable division would be among differing denominations. WebDivisions in the Church. 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. Anyone who claims that he or she has an exclusive part in Christ is wrong. I would like to approach it from an evangelistic standpoint. That does not mean that everybody has to think alike. I told them that I do not foresee and end to these divisions anytime soon (sadly). 3- The presence of an immoral member. In my church it seems like they are all about numbers. 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? I always have, and always will believe that this overly exaggerated concept of denominations is a problem. Still others say, "We are of Schaeffer," and others, "We are of Graham," or, "We are of C.S. 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.. His followers in the Corinthian church may have viewed Christianity as a philosophy rather than a relationship with a Person Jesus Christ. What should our evaluation of a ministry look like I wonder if its not by numbers? RayStedman.org/permissions. 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. Church has become about the pastor and not about his message. Therefore, the only basis upon which you can get Christians to agree is by setting before them the Person of the Lord Jesus, and calling them back to that fundamental base. We came to life in Christ by Paul, and Paul is the one we're going to listen to above all others." Acts 18:24 says that Apollos was an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man. Now, it cannot. It is possible, though, that the divisions among 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." Now, we are similar to the ancient world in that some people do see their pastors/teachers as a source of pride. There are three different causes of divisions in churches that Paul mentions in I Corinthians. 5-Members going to pagan courts to settle disputes. Paul rejects this disunity, telling the church members to focus on Christ. All rights reserved. Then there were the traditionalists (there always are), those that say, "Well, I don't know about Paul or Apollos. It is not merely that the Church is everywhere split up into sections, but that this has led to party strife and jealousy. In 2019 he published a commentary. Some people will pick other matters of doctrine to affirm. Paul gives the church a stern warning about their actions and the proper way to participate. 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. He appeals to them in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I told them that it is a concern of mine as well. And just as the Corinthian church was not above the petty rivalries of its time, neither is the modern church above becoming involved in such shouting matches. Just as there was competiveness for honor and prestige among the orators of the first century, it also seems like there is competition between the pastors and churches of today. 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. It is possible that these divisions represent competing house churches, some founded by Paul, some by Apollos. 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. Some considered Paul their leader, others Apollos, still others Peter. 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. 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. 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. Conclusion. Todays church is a lot like the church of Corinthians. Now, Paul says this is all basically, fundamentally wrong. The Corinthian church had many problems, and most of them were the result of pride and placing so much emphasis on social status. Some considering Paul their authority, other Apollos, others Peter, and still others accepted only Jesus as their authority. But when doctrinal beliefs keep churches from working together to further the gospel. Webdivided. That is what they were doing with baptism here in Corinth. 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. I have had people say to me, "Oh, Mr. Stedman, when you speak I see so clearly! These are not the only causes of divisions in churches today. How many of you have ever put together a jigsaw puzzle? He says, in effect, "You don't cure divisions in a church by identification badges. 6-Members defiling the Lords Supper. The church in Corinth was a group of people who were tearing themselves apart! Help us to judge these in the light of the cross, and, by its light, to walk before thee. Just looking at America, there are political divisions that have destroyed relationships, there are social divisions that have sparked riots around the nation, and there are even religious divisions that have pitted millions against each other. Some say, "I am of Gothard," and others say, "No, I am of Bright." Verse 12 tells us the source of this problem. We had some great meetings and great times together. Other divisions were to follow. It tells about the most climactic moment in a wedding ceremony. Sermon 5: Who is the Most Important? The church at Corinth had divided loyalty to different leaders. The elders should make their decisions with the same mind and the same judgment. 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. 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. The groom and his attendants are in their places. We all know what a clique is. He is the ground, always, of unity. Whenever this attitude of gathering around a man is allowed to perpetuate itself, it is the source of much trouble and difficulty. We tend to fall out along doctrinal lines or because we are drawn to one charismatic pastor over another. He had received a report from the household of Cloe that there were quarrels among the members of the Corinthian church. We are all equally undeserving of salvation and a relationship with Jesus Christ. The search went on until nightfall, but no answer came to their urgent calls. 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? 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. 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?. The bride is limping! What is a clique? 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. I lead a small group so I sometimes have to sit in meetings where the pastor shares things about the vision of our church. They were boasting over who had baptized them. God only sees one fold, (John 10) and there is only one faith, one Lord, one baptism etc. 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). Yes, we have the core beliefs that most Christians will agree upon, but the rest is still very confusing to non-believers. We all know what a clique is. 1 Corinthians 1:10: I appeal to you, brothers, 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.. The church is never called to having everybody think exactly alike. This is not what the Church was meant to be like, and I fully believe that Paul would be appalled by our actions today as a Church of believers in Jesus Christ. There are still others today who follow after some school of thought. This Western Church soon became known as the Roman Catholic Church. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them; that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. (NKJV). In fact, these divisions are a sign of worldliness. In conjunction with this, some people were questioning Pauls character and authority ( 1 Corinthians 14 ). Austin Hellier Brisbane Queensland Australia. Why are these thing SO important? Instead of directly saying that we follow Paul, or Apollos, we say that we are Baptist, Reformed, or even Catholic. If Paul could see the divisions between the various denominations of today, what would he say? Some are of Ritchie, and some are of Roper, and a few of Stedman! Aside from this acceptable division within the modern church, there are also two other reasons for division which should not exist. Bruises show on her arm! God wants the local church congregation and the local community to see the beauty of a church that is unified and fitted together in love. WebPaul rebukes the Corinthians because there are divisions and quarrels in the church. Paul enters this world of wretched Sophists and preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Website 2023 by Ray Stedman Ministries. Throughout this 2000 year process of normalizing divisions among believers, we have consistently neglected the fact we Jesus should unite us, and unless we choose to make a change, we will continue to forget this fact. It is possible that these divisions represent competing house churches, some founded by Paul, some by Apollos. It is popularized in the movie Mean Girls. There are three different causes of divisions in churches that Paul mentions in I Corinthians. In fact, Paul never claims disciples. 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. 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? Conclusion. Members follow him blindly and whatever they do seems right to them. I would agree that we find ourselves in much the same situations as those listening to the Greek philosophers/orators. 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). WebThe spirit that wrought such mischief at Corinth has been busy in the Church ever since. Let's get back to the beginnings. One of these influencing factors is consumerism which finds its way into even the way Christians think. Every Navigator had to have a Scofield Reference Bible; that was the only "Authorized Version." Peter was an uneducated, common man and may have appealed to that group of people in Corinth. I thank God that only a few of you can say that about me." Sermon 5: Who is the Most Important? Now these things were good. Not when one part of the congregation meets in one part of the building, and the other part of the congregation meets in another spot. Help me walk from day to day, with its shadows o'er me. The facts in the gospel are what will set us free, and particularly, he says, the word of the cross. Remember, a believer who is at war with his brother or sister in Christ cannot be at peace with our heavenly Father. 7-False zeal for spiritual gifts. In desperation, they returned and held a meeting. Lovelessness among Christians is not a light thing.. 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. The individual leaders should only point them to Christ. The other reason is the division among churches of the same denomination. Paul here introduces that which can cure divisions, both negatively and positively. He finds that there is a great deal of parallels between the disciple-teacher relationship in the culture of Corinth and the problem of divisions in the church over the authority of teachers. These preachers draw in masses of people every week who are eager to hear them speak. They became symbols of prestige and standing that became divisive factors among the men. 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. It is well known that division in the church of Corinth was over leadership. One of the celebrities was Paul himself some believers at Corinth actually claimed to be his followers. There are three different causes of divisions in churches that Paul mentions in I Corinthians. Unless its mended, the tear gets bigger and bigger, doesnt it? Sometimes a church leader can have so much clout that he begins to have cult status. 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. A young pastor who was facing that problem in his church called me this week from another state. He said so himself. A. 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. 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. 7-False zeal for spiritual gifts. This Western Church soon became known as the Roman Catholic Church. One day in Africa, a small boy was lost. No man would ever have planned the cross. 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. It is not merely that the Church is everywhere split up into sections, but that this has led to party strife and jealousy. I still have at home the Scofield Reference Bible with the index ladder drawn by him. He then goes on to explain that it was the Corinthian wisdom that created so much disunity. This is really what is behind his disclaimer on baptism in 1 Cor 1:14-16. Faith rests on Gods shoulders alone- its not by our wisdom and ability (Polhill 237). He started this church. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. Furthermore, would the apostle not also be concerned with other divisions within the individual church body? 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. Since November 2021, Reading Acts is edited by Sarah Westphal. These kinds of things happen when there are divisions in a church. When daylight again appeared, they looked for him with renewed energy but still without success. In verses 14 to 16, Paul uses himself as an example. These kinds of things happen when there are divisions in a church. Their divisions, lack of church discipline, lawsuits, abuse of Christian liberty and over-emphasis of the gift of tongues, all illustrate this root problem.
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