Offshoots had disturbed the church. WebThe Corinthians were basically making a mockery of Communion. Religious snobs want to be a part of a small group who 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. [Then he thinks of another group that he had baptized] (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. It was considered honorable for you to stand up for yourself in this way. How important is it that there be unity within the Church? 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 Western Church soon became known as the Roman Catholic Church. 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. Others bragged that they were followers of Peter (1 Corinthians 1:12). It wasnt even about secondary doctrine (the second coming, the nature of baptism). 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! The Greek word used here literally means to say the same thing. However, I would like to approach this in a different way than the comments already present here. 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." To an unbeliever, this looks like we cannot agree on our own religion. We all know what a clique is. Conclusion. Every Navigator had to have a Scofield Reference Bible; that was the only "Authorized Version." 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. He was a rhetorician who was especially capable in the allegorical style of teaching of the Old Testament. It is possible that these divisions represent competing house churches, some founded by Paul, some by Apollos. (I have been trying for a long time to get my wife to accept that!) We tend to fall out along doctrinal lines or because we are drawn to one charismatic pastor over another. As a result, this led to the division among Christian converts and to the Christian community as a whole. If you survey the church scene all over America today, you find people dividing up this way. the Problems in the Corinthian Church The elders should make their decisions with the same mind and the same judgment. Let's go back to Jerusalem. Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? WebPaul rebukes the Corinthians because there are divisions and quarrels in the church. The other reason is the division among churches of the same denomination. There should be unanimous agreement. 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. The words made complete mean to be perfectly joined together, like a jigsaw puzzle. They forget, of course, that the church never belongs to anybody but the Lord. All are mere teachers; there is only one Lord. 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). It seems like this isnt a problem and doesnt affect the church much in its present state. Paul gives the church a stern warning about their actions and the proper way to participate. The Factions At Corinth We must allow him the privilege of doing that. is the history and significance of the church In desperation, they returned and held a meeting. The Factions At Corinth I've not forgotten that incident because it seems to me to capture the very attitude Paul is describing here. In the body of Christ at large there are many who can make a contribution to the understanding of Christ. The groom and his attendants are in their places. 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? Paul rejects this disunity, telling the church members to focus on Christ. That does not mean that everybody has to think alike. 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. A young pastor who was facing that problem in his church called me this week from another state. 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). If Paul could see the divisions between the various denominations of today, what would he say? But first, it is very clear that he is deeply troubled by this. I would like to start off with a quote (forgive me for the length) from Polhill that I found to be all to strikingly familiar of todays churches. 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). Sometimes two or three hundred sailors, all of them Christians, would be there. It builds him up too much; it makes him a rival, to some degree, of the Lord himself. 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). Some considering Paul their authority, other Apollos, others Peter, and still others accepted only Jesus as their authority. Sometimes a church leader can have so much clout that he begins to have cult status. 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. These kinds of things happen when there are divisions in a church. 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. Religious snobs want to be a part of a small group who I agree with P. Longs last statement in that things have not improved much since the first century. Obviously sin is at the heart of these divisions, but I am encouraged to hear that at least in your corner of the world there is some unification and revival. 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. Thanks for the thoughtful comment Austin. Near the cross, O Lamb of God, bring its scenes before me. Conclusion. We all know what a clique is. Some considering Paul their authority, other Apollos, others Peter, and still others accepted only Jesus as their authority. Having listened to Pauls words and the prayer of the Lord Jesus Christ, how important is unity to each of us today? Their relationship to Christ was the unifying factor of the church. WebAccording to Paul, the communitys problems were the consequence of the Corinthians mistaken belief that they had already been exalted. I still have at home the Scofield Reference Bible with the index ladder drawn by him. WebAccording to Paul, the communitys problems were the consequence of the Corinthians mistaken belief that they had already been exalted. Now, he is not saying that it is wrong to baptize; he himself did it, and acknowledges that he did. The divisions of Christendom are the scandal of Christianity. 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.. 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. From the book of Acts we learn that Apollos was an outstanding orator in a world that loved and appreciated oratory. I have to admit though that sometimes I think about numbers and recognition and want that. Christ did not send me to take scalps or to cut notches on my gun handle as to how many converts I've won." WebWhat were the causes of division in the Corinthian Church? 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. So they said, "When Peter came, we really felt that we were on solid ground. Instead of tearing themselves apart, he urges them to be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. One of the celebrities was Paul himself some believers at Corinth actually claimed to be his followers. He called to ask whether I thought that would be right or wrong to do. Then there were the stylists, those who were attracted by the different kinds of preaching, and they had especially been drawn to Apollos. In verses 14 to 16, Paul uses himself as an example. So undoubtedly there was a big group that followed Paul. To resolve this issue, he encourages communal love. Take the various mega-churches for example, whose charismatic pastors live in mansions. 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. He started this church. Paul exhorts them to agree. I will jump on the bandwagon here and say that division is definitely an issue today. They were dividing over this whole issue, and Paul says it is all wrong. 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. In verse 11, Paul gives the reason for his appeal for unity in the church at Corinth. There are three different causes of divisions in churches that Paul mentions in I Corinthians. 7-False zeal for spiritual gifts. 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. Polhill says, every Corinthian had their own favorite preacher (237). Behind Divisions The better the orator, the higher the fee, and the more disciples he will attract. In my experience though, I find that it is carnal and unspiritual leaders that put up walls and fences between members of the body. Help me walk from day to day, with its shadows o'er me. They embraced the values of their Roman society, which divided over ethnicity (e.g., Jews vs. Gentiles) and social rank (wise vs. foolish, powerful 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. 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. He's a great preacher, a warm, capable, eloquent man, who can make the Old Testament come alive!". 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.". Orators have to be so careful not to let teaching become a pride thing rather than a gift they share to better the other. The church at Corinth had divided loyalty to different leaders. Lewis.". The human condition is, unfortunately, one of comparison that seeks to place oneself or their beliefs over another.
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