This Bible was pushed by the Navigators, and everybody had to have one. One of his biggest goals is to double our congregation so we have 5,000 members. These preachers draw in masses of people every week who are eager to hear them speak. Corinthians Other divisions were to follow. 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. As bad as it is, it makes sense for the people of Pauls day to be concerned with whatever home church has the best orator, and then argue for them to other potential followers. The church in Corinth was a group of people who were tearing themselves apart! Lovelessness among Christians is not a light thing.. Paul rejects this disunity, telling the church members to focus on Christ. How important was unity to our Lord Jesus Christ? In 1 Corinthians, Paul consciously avoids disciple-teacher language. 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. Then there were the traditionalists (there always are), those that say, "Well, I don't know about Paul or Apollos. Its not just the denominations per se any more theres also a proliferation of house churches too. Unity in the church is something that requires cooperation with each other and with the Spirit of God. Their divisions, lack of church discipline, lawsuits, abuse of Christian liberty and over-emphasis of the gift of tongues, all illustrate this root problem. But when doctrinal beliefs keep churches from working together to further the gospel. And he speaks in the name of or by the authority of, our Lord Jesus Christ. I still have at home the Scofield Reference Bible with the index ladder drawn by him. For example, in the first section from 1:10 to 4:21, it's errors regarding division. 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. In these cases, there should be freedom to agree to disagree. We pray that it may be rich and real in our hearts as we live this week together. So rather that detailing their accomplishments as orators, Paul describes their functions (Paul planted, Apollos watered, etc.) They embraced the values of their Roman society, which divided over ethnicity (e.g., Jews vs. Gentiles) and social rank (wise vs. foolish, powerful Members follow him blindly and whatever they do seems right to them. These kinds of things happen when there are divisions in a church. 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). If you survey the church scene all over America today, you find people dividing up this way. Others were saying, "Well, Apollos himself baptized me." If Paul were to visit one of these churches, he would see a good-looking man in a custom suit standing over everybody else, and his mind would go straight to the orators of his day. 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 was unaware of this connection before now but it really makes sense. We go back to the Lord alone. 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). What is a clique? Paul continues in verse 10 by saying that, MANS WISDOM VERSUS GODS WISDOM I Corinthians 1:18-25, WHY DONT PEOPLE BELIEVE? He had received a report from the household of Cloe that there were quarrels among the members of the Corinthian church. 3- The presence of an immoral member. We all know what a clique is. 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 same viewpoints are still dividing people. This division in the church was over their own selfish ambitions evidenced in what they wanted. Members follow him blindly and whatever they do seems right to them. Church has become about the pastor and not about his message. How can the presence of divisions be described as worldly?, Bruce Winter details the Greco-Roman practice of discipleship in the second chapter of After Paul Left Corinth. For example, in the first section from 1:10 to 4:21, it's errors regarding division. In what ways have we failed to de-paganize? It seems like it would be better to ask in what ways have we been re-paganized. Some considering Paul their authority, other Apollos, others Peter, and still others accepted only Jesus as their authority. 4-The churchs failure to discipline. 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. In verses 14 to 16, Paul uses himself as an example. So he says, "I didn't baptize many of you. Sometimes a church leader can have so much clout that he begins to have cult status. They were boasting over who had baptized them. In Jesus' name, Amen. For permission to use this content, please review In verse 10 we see both Pauls affection for the Corinthian church, and his authority as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. One of them being the reason to follow a specific pastor. Now, we all have our favorite preacher, and up to a point that is not wrong. in the Corinthian Church Splits and Quarrels in 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. Aside from this acceptable division within the modern church, there are also two other reasons for division which should not exist. 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? When it comes to seeking the spiritually lost for Christ, we can be much more effective if we are perfectly joined together in an unfailing zeal for Gods glory, not our own. 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. Whatever you say, I believe." Corinthians 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. There are some people who minister to us better than others, and it is only natural that we should listen to them and follow them. Alexandria was a center for learning and philosophy. The better the orator, the higher the fee, and the more disciples he will attract. I. PAULS APPEAL FOR UNITY (verses 10-12). Because I am a little defensive it seems like they are almost my enemy. They were also not afraid to be mentioned in Pauls letter to the church. The members started to develop division following different leaders. Paul says that he does not preach in cleverness of speech because the power of the gospel lies in the facts of the gospel, and not in any mans presentation of them. Corinthians In fact, there are still many divisions that exist today in modern churches. The Lords Supper was affected by the divisions between rich and poor and an overall general misunderstanding. DIVISIONS AND PERSONALITIES IN THE CHURCH 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. Website 2023 by Ray Stedman Ministries. They were hard to get in those war years, and every shipment that came in went out like hot cakes. They are his family in Christ. 4-The churchs failure to discipline. Paul rejects this disunity, telling the church members to focus on Christ. What is a clique? Corinthians I've not forgotten that incident because it seems to me to capture the very attitude Paul is describing here. 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. Only the Lord Jesus Christ could pay the penalty for our sins because only He is the Son of God. Some people will pick other matters of doctrine to affirm. This division in the church was over their own selfish ambitions evidenced in what they wanted. Chapter Summary In this parable, the groom is Christ. is the history and significance of the church WebThe Christians at Corinth were dividing the church by pledging their loyalties to different celebrities. 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." The members started to develop division following different leaders. The Corinthian church had many problems, and most of them were the result of pride and placing so much emphasis on social status. The church at Corinth had divided loyalty to different leaders. And I say that because some people focus on PREACHER instead of THE SAVIOR. WebThe spirit that wrought such mischief at Corinth has been busy in the Church ever since. The word divisions comes from the Greek word schismata, from which we get our English word schism. That is the problem, and it is still going on today. Lovelessness among Christians is not a light thing.. All are mere teachers; there is only one Lord. This also brings up another Pagan influence which is naming the days of the week after the planets. They were drawing themselves up and saying, "Well, you may be of Paul or of Peter or of Apollos, but we are of Christ! God only sees one fold, (John 10) and there is only one faith, one Lord, one baptism etc. 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. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. But when each piece is fitted together into its proper place in the puzzle, you have a beautiful and complete picture. Behind Divisions Still others say, "We are of Schaeffer," and others, "We are of Graham," or, "We are of C.S. (Philippians 2:6-8 RSV). These are not the only causes of divisions in churches today. (1 Corinthians 1:12 RSV) Now, there was the trouble at Corinth. Chapter Summary Causes The Corinthian church had many problems, and most of them were the result of pride and placing so much emphasis on social status. The cross of Christ cuts across all human value systems. Offshoots had disturbed the church. 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? Now, almost every group does this. I always have, and always will believe that this overly exaggerated concept of denominations is a problem. That is not the work of men; that is the work of God himself. 16(Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) The other reason is the division among churches of the same denomination. In verse 11, Paul gives the reason for his appeal for unity in the church at Corinth. No, he says that is not why he was sent: "I was not sent to emphasize symbols, but, positively, I was sent to preach a whole gospel, not one emphasizing style, not in wisdom of words, but that which emphasizes content." In conjunction with this, some people were questioning Pauls character and authority ( 1 Corinthians 14 ). Corinthians Thanks for the thoughtful comment Austin. The minister is waiting, Bible in hand. Sometimes two or three hundred sailors, all of them Christians, would be there. Are we willing to love each other as Christ loved us? When you get men's eyes off all these status symbols, and call them back away from following men to the Person of Christ and his cross, all the divisions will disappear. To resolve this issue, he encourages communal love. In conjunction with this, some people were questioning Pauls character and authority ( 1 Corinthians 14 ). 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. Some considering Paul their authority, other Apollos, others Peter, and still others accepted only Jesus as their authority. 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. His most recent book is The Book of Enoch for Beginners: A Guide to Expand Your Understanding of the Biblical World (Rockridge, 2022). They were caused by Cliques (1:12; 3:4). What he says we'll listen to, not Paul or Peter or anyone else -- it makes no difference to us." 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. Obviously, here at Peninsula Bible Church we cannot do that. There are even discrepancies inside single denominations (which means we have division inside our divisions, great). These kinds of things happen when there are divisions in a church. I told them that I do not foresee and end to these divisions anytime soon (sadly). If we sacrifice quality for numbers I dont think we are being good stewards of our gift of leadership. There are those who are emotionally attached to some great Christian leader who has helped them, and they will only listen to him. [Then he thinks of another group that he had baptized] (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Paul is putting his finger right on the problem when he asks, "Was Paul crucified for you?" The families have been seated. Corinthians The Protestant Reformation had its beginnings in 1517 (see Chapter 1 0). Sermon 5: Who is the Most Important? If you will turn in your Bibles with me to John 17:20-23, I will read the passage to you. (1Corinthians 1:13b-16 RSV). With all the differences among us, it is impossible to get people to think alike. So Paul is insisting that the Corinthians, and all believers, have doctrinal unity that is clearly based on Gods Word. We may not all agree on the way to do church but there is definitely more than one effective way. 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. He was a rhetorician who was especially capable in the allegorical style of teaching of the Old Testament. Having listened to Pauls words and the prayer of the Lord Jesus Christ, how important is unity to each of us today? 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. DIVISIONS AND PERSONALITIES IN THE CHURCH In verse 11, Paul gives the reason for his appeal for unity in the church at Corinth. 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. Paul exhorts them to agree. Each group claimed to be better than the others, and party spirits began to grow in the church. the Problems in the Corinthian Church It seems like this isnt a problem and doesnt affect the church much in its present state. The words made complete in verse 10 are translated from a Greek word that was used to speak of mending such things as nets, bones, dislocated joints, broken utensils, and torn garments. In her book, The Key to a Loving Heart, Karen Mains includes a parable about the church entitled The Brawling Bride. He was introduced in a rather extended and flowery way, but he came on and in his great, booming voice said, "I'm not Dr.Oswald Hoffman, the great preacher of the Lutheran Hour. A young pastor who was facing that problem in his church called me this week from another state. We all know what a clique is. In the year 1 054 the Church was divided into two parts: 1) The Greek Eastern Church 2) The Roman Western Church. Her gown is ripped and covered with mud! It is possible, though, that the divisions among In verses 10-12, Paul begins by giving an appeal for unity. Remember, a believer who is at war with his brother or sister in Christ cannot be at peace with our heavenly Father. Some followed Apollos whom they honored above Paul (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4; Acts 18:24 to 19:1). 2- The Churchs division. When I say it gets ignored like an infomercial you probably infer what that means. in the Corinthian Church He addresses them as brethren. Some pigged out at the Lord Supper; others had barely enough to eat. 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. 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. Because the Holy Spirit has but one will, and because a church must be in complete harmony with His will, the leaders must be in complete harmony with each other in that will. 5-Members going to pagan courts to settle disputes. Every Navigator had to have a Scofield Reference Bible; that was the only "Authorized Version." 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. A. The third thing that every Navigator had was a little black notebook covered in rough-grained leather. Now, how could that be? 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. To all of this Paul would say to us, as he says to Corinth, Is Christ divided? He said so himself. Sermon 5: Who is the Most Important? Help us to judge these in the light of the cross, and, by its light, to walk before thee. The members started to develop division following different leaders. He then goes on to explain that it was the Corinthian wisdom that created so much disunity. In this passage of Scripture, Paul is very careful to focus the attention on Christ and not on himself. WebAccording to Paul, the communitys problems were the consequence of the Corinthians mistaken belief that they had already been exalted. But yet the apostle says they are to be of the same mind. They were caused by Cliques (1:12; 3:4). I think today if church leaders focus on Jesus and only Jesus we would be so much healthier. I personally experienced this at work about a year and a half ago. It wasnt even about secondary doctrine (the second coming, the nature of baptism). But first, it is very clear that he is deeply troubled by this. He didnt focus on himself being superior to all the rest of the church leaders. 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. 10I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. Their divisions, lack of church discipline, lawsuits, abuse of Christian liberty and over-emphasis of the gift of tongues, all illustrate this root problem. 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. 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. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. All that mattered to Paul was Jesus! Paul then goes on to give us three very carefully stated clues in Verse13 as to what is wrong with this kind of thing. It was a glorious work. Paul was the apostle to the gentiles. These kinds of things happen when there are divisions in a church. Paul enters this world of wretched Sophists and preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You only have to listen around you today and you find outstanding leaders being held up by their congregations as almost the equal of the Lord himself in their value to the church. He gathers disciples and establishes a church, a meeting place for educating his disciples. Although the modern church has improved in many ways compared to the ancient churches, there is still the issue of division that exists among differing churches as was in the ancient churches. These kinds of things happen when there are divisions in a church. Its pastors, bishops and others who fear the loss of their livlihoods as their former sheep move on in God towards the new wine skins of revival that want to maintain the old wine skins which brought them an income. The followers of Jesus may have believed in Jesus words only, and did not believe that the writings of Peter, Paul, and the other apostles were really Scripture. Christians are all disciples, or better, stewards and servants of the mysteries of God (1 Cor 4:1). 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. These are not the only causes of divisions in churches today. Now, in Verse13 you understand why. 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 thank God that only a few of you can say that about me." Her hair is messed up! What Was Dividing the Corinthian Church The countless denominations and different beliefs of Christianity are often not appealing to non-believers. 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. Now, the Apostle Paul is very concerned about this matter of incipient division in the church at Corinth, and he begins dealing with it in this powerful appeal for unity in Verse10: I appeal to you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. The groom and his attendants are in their places. After all, he was one of the first apostles that Jesus himself called." These are two common causes of church divisions in the West. Paul wants the Corinthian church to mend the broken relationships that have been caused by the divisions among its members. The Protestant Reformation had its beginnings in 1517 (see Chapter 1 0). On opening it you found a loose-leaf notebook with many of the small, half-page materials that the Navigators printed their Bible helps on. The elders should make their decisions with the same mind and the same judgment. I would like to approach it from an evangelistic standpoint. So they said, "When Peter came, we really felt that we were on solid ground. Now, Paul says this is all basically, fundamentally wrong. 7-False zeal for spiritual gifts. And there were some who said, "Well, when Peter came through, he baptized me. I'm nobody, just like you!" Some considering Paul their authority, other Apollos, others Peter, and still others accepted only Jesus as their authority. Yet, in reality as long as correct biblical doctrine is being taught no pastor should be viewed in comparison to one another. Subject to permissions policy, all rights reserved. Other divisions were to follow. 14I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 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. Galatians: Freedom through Gods Grace (Wipf & Stock, 2019). 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. That does not mean that everybody has to think alike. It is extremely important. I dont remember Paul seeing any thing like these issues as other than trivial. Corinthians Conclusion. One of the celebrities was Paul himself some believers at Corinth actually claimed to be his followers. God is not confused, and He does not contradict Himself. As a young Christian in my early twenties during World WarII, I was stationed in Hawaii, and I became acquainted with the work of the Navigators. One of the celebrities was Paul himself some believers at Corinth actually claimed to be his followers. The first noticeable division would be among differing denominations. He does not say we should stop baptizing because of this problem. It is not merely that the Church is everywhere split up into sections, but that this has led to party strife and jealousy. Faith rests on Gods shoulders alone- its not by our wisdom and ability (Polhill 237). This Western Church soon became known as the Roman Catholic Church. (1Corinthians 1:13 RSV). The individual leaders should only point them to Christ. Everybody has their denomination and they cling relentless to their doctrinal beliefs. Help me walk from day to day, with its shadows o'er me. 5-Members going to pagan courts to settle disputes. 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. 13Is Christ divided? The basic meaning is to put back together and make one again something that was broken or separated. I find there are these tendencies right here in Peninsula Bible Church. In the body of Christ at large there are many who can make a contribution to the understanding of Christ. When you call them back to an understanding of the meaning of the cross, you will find all the divisions disappearing; they fade away like the morning mist. He begins the process of developing them into leaders who will also preach the gospel and found more churches. This issue was so important that Paul devotes the first four chapters of I Corinthians to divisions in the church. Take the various mega-churches for example, whose charismatic pastors live in mansions.