Each group claimed to be better than the others, and party spirits began to grow in the church. 1-False prophets (2 Corinthians 11:13). That is why the apostle appeals to it. Even as Christians, there seems to be the desire of wanting to uphold one pastor over another by comparison and ultimately glorifying certain pastors. 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. Paul enters this world of wretched Sophists and preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sermon 5: Who is the Most Important? What should our evaluation of a ministry look like I wonder if its not by numbers? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? That is the problem, and it is still going on today. He had received a report from the household of Cloe that there were quarrels among the members of the Corinthian church. 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? Paul condemns their behavior in verse 13 by saying, Has Christ been divided? In other words, have different amounts of Christ been given to different people? Other divisions were to follow. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 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 boasted of their special spiritual gifts; others felt left out. (1Corinthians 1:17 RSV). Paul rejects this disunity, telling the church members to focus on Christ. His bride, the Church, has been fighting again!. 2- The Churchs division. So we have the possibility for this very thing right here. They embraced the values of their Roman society, which divided over ethnicity (e.g., Jews vs. Gentiles) and social rank (wise vs. foolish, powerful 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. It is possible, though, that the divisions among I have to admit though that sometimes I think about numbers and recognition and want that. One of them being the reason to follow a specific pastor. This division in the church was over their own selfish ambitions evidenced in what they wanted. WebThe Corinthians were basically making a mockery of Communion. These kinds of things happen when there are divisions in a church. One of his biggest goals is to double our congregation so we have 5,000 members. Dio Chrysostom visited Corinth about A.D. 89-96. After all, he was one of the first apostles that Jesus himself called." 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." If you survey the church scene all over America today, you find people dividing up this way. Lovelessness among Christians is not a light thing.. It is possible, though, that the divisions among Some considering Paul their authority, other Apollos, others Peter, and still others accepted only Jesus as their authority. In verses 14 to 16, Paul uses himself as an example. God only sees one fold, (John 10) and there is only one faith, one Lord, one baptism etc. Sometimes a church leader can have so much clout that he begins to have cult status. One of the celebrities was Paul himself some believers at Corinth actually claimed to be his followers. This is really what is behind his disclaimer on baptism in 1 Cor 1:14-16. 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. 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. Let's get back to the beginnings. One of the celebrities was Paul himself some believers at Corinth actually claimed to be his followers. The Corinthian Church. The organ begins the bridal march, and everyone stands. (1 Corinthians 1:12 RSV) Now, there was the trouble at Corinth. 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. That, of course, is as it should be. We must allow him the privilege of doing that. Religious snobs want to be a part of a small group who We all know what a clique is. There are the Calvinists and the Arminians and the Dispensationalists -- these are some of the things that are held up as the "summum bonum," the highest good, in theology. All are mere teachers; there is only one Lord. WebWhat were the causes of division in the Corinthian Church? So undoubtedly there was a big group that followed Paul. I would agree that we find ourselves in much the same situations as those listening to the Greek philosophers/orators. Some followed Apollos whom they honored above Paul (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4; Acts 18:24 to 19:1). Other divisions were to follow. In fact, Paul never claims disciples. The bridesmaids have come down the aisle. [Then he thinks of another group that he had baptized] (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. 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? Four groups had formed in the Corinthian church. Why? The Gentiles coming into this new Church do not seem to be able to see the differences between it and a Greco-Roman philosopher gathering disciples and educating them in a particular philosophy. 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. They became symbols of prestige and standing that became divisive factors among the men. He didnt focus on himself being superior to all the rest of the church leaders. The content of their messages was in agreement, but the followers of these men probably focused on personality differences and distorted their teachings. 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. It is popularized in the movie Mean Girls. 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. When I say it gets ignored like an infomercial you probably infer what that means. The individual leaders should only point them to Christ. Now, almost every group does this. When you divide up among men you lose something, that is what he is saying. (I suppose that if Dio were commenting on the modern world, he would describe the wretched bloggers shouting abuse at the temple of WordPress!). For example, in the first section from 1:10 to 4:21, it's errors regarding division. There should be oneness of mind, no matter how long it takes. Then there were the stylists, those who were attracted by the different kinds of preaching, and they had especially been drawn to Apollos. (I have been trying for a long time to get my wife to accept that!) Paul, however, was a good leader. The human condition is, unfortunately, one of comparison that seeks to place oneself or their beliefs over another. But when it comes to the clear teachings of Gods Word, there cannot be two conflicting views that are both right. What is a clique? Todays church is a lot like the church of Corinthians. Why are these thing SO important? These were not schisms yet; they had not split off into other congregations, but there were four cliques, or factions within the congregation. 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. Like Greg, I recognize this tension in some of the churches I have served in and find it appalling (1 Corinthians 3:18-19). WebThe Christians at Corinth were dividing the church by pledging their loyalties to different celebrities. 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. In other words, there must be agreement with Christ, with His will, and with His Word. But yet the apostle says they are to be of the same mind. 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. Was Paul crucified for you? 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. There should be unanimous agreement. Since November 2021, Reading Acts is edited by Sarah Westphal. WebThe spirit that wrought such mischief at Corinth has been busy in the Church ever since. Alexandria was a center for learning and philosophy. There are those who are emotionally attached to some great Christian leader who has helped them, and they will only listen to him. This Western Church soon became known as the Roman Catholic Church. We pray that it may be rich and real in our hearts as we live this week together. They embraced the values of their Roman society, which divided over ethnicity (e.g., Jews vs. Gentiles) and social rank (wise vs. foolish, powerful To resolve this issue, he encourages communal love. They were also not afraid to be mentioned in Pauls letter to the church. Some followed Apollos whom they honored above Paul (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4; Acts 18:24 to 19:1). Offshoots had disturbed the church. When daylight again appeared, they looked for him with renewed energy but still without success. These are two common causes of church divisions in the West. No man would ever have planned the cross. 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. Some had no problem with consuming meat that had been sacrificed to idols; for others, it was a real offense. 2 Corinthians Some of them were saying, "Well, Paul baptized me." I appreciate the perspective given by the author and agree 100% that the body of Christ is divided. So he says, "I didn't baptize many of you. We all know what a clique is. I hang on every word you say. There are three different causes of divisions in churches that Paul mentions in I Corinthians. The facts in the gospel are what will set us free, and particularly, he says, the word of the cross. (Peter, evidently, had been through Corinth and had preached there.) We tend to fall out along doctrinal lines or because we are drawn to one charismatic pastor over another. 6-Members defiling the Lords Supper. He addresses them as brethren. 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. This is the result of a religious snobbery associated by cliques that produced pride and conflict. Lewis.". 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. We feel some sense of connectedness to the teachers (pastors/leaders) whose teachings we sit under while they count us as proof of their effectiveness (numbers). 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. What is a clique? WebThe Christians at Corinth were dividing the church by pledging their loyalties to different celebrities. If so, what results are we shooting for? 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. In the year 1 054 the Church was divided into two parts: 1) The Greek Eastern Church 2) The Roman Western Church. 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.. Not when we hear of churches with factions or cliques of people who sit on opposite sides of the aisle. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. This introduces one of the greatest passages in the Bible, setting forth the difference between the wisdom of man and the wisdom of God. 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. Conclusion. The Corinthian church had many problems, and most of them were the result of pride and placing so much emphasis on social status. We all know what a clique is. In verse 17, Paul says that his calling of God was to preach the Gospel, and the focus of the Gospel is the cross of Christ. It is well known that division in the church of Corinth was over leadership. His Word does not disagree with itself. In conjunction with this, some people were questioning Pauls character and authority ( 1 Corinthians 14 ). You may recall also that in writing to the church at Ephesus, he exhorted the elders there to be careful to "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace," (Ephesians 4:3 RSV). There are three different causes of divisions in churches that Paul mentions in I Corinthians. For instance, in the Greco-Roman culture the practice of teacher-disciple relationships was often common and so many Christian converts in Corinth would associate themselves with a particular teacher and be under their discipleship. In my opinion, this is one of the main reasons our churches are so split and why we act more like the world rather than more like Christ. "One is your master; all of you are brothers," (Matthew 23:8 KJV). And more than that, we have a responsibility to obey him, to follow his Lordship. 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." We may not all agree on the way to do church but there is definitely more than one effective way. The divisions of Christendom are the scandal of Christianity. It was expected. Church has become about the pastor and not about his message. The words made complete mean to be perfectly joined together, like a jigsaw puzzle. I am thankful that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius; lest any one should say that you were baptized in my name. 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. Offshoots had disturbed the church. That is not the work of men; that is the work of God himself. He does not say we should stop baptizing because of this problem. 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. The members started to develop division following different leaders. 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. They were caused by Cliques (1:12; 3:4). We had some great meetings and great times together. Paul is going to go on to describe this radical force that is so different than anything else there is nothing like it in the world. Im not saying its wrong to stick to what you believe. Paul doesnt want these divisions to continue, so he offers them an alternative. To resolve this issue, he encourages communal love. For example, in the first section from 1:10 to 4:21, it's errors regarding division. He said so himself. 2- The Churchs division. 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. WebAccording to Paul, the communitys problems were the consequence of the Corinthians mistaken belief that they had already been exalted. Some considering Paul their authority, other Apollos, others Peter, and still others accepted only Jesus as their authority. The Lords Supper was affected by the divisions between rich and poor and an overall general misunderstanding. To an unbeliever, this looks like we cannot agree on our own religion. 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. 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. It is extremely important. Sermon 5: Who is the Most Important? Website 2023 by Ray Stedman Ministries. It is well known that division in the church of Corinth was over leadership. 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. In verses 10-12, Paul begins by giving an appeal for unity. That is the mind Paul is talking about. Every Navigator had to have a Scofield Reference Bible; that was the only "Authorized Version." They did not try to hide the problems. 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. Peter was an uneducated, common man and may have appealed to that group of people in Corinth. Her hair is messed up! Her nose is bloody! The Corinthian Church. This division in the church was over their own selfish ambitions evidenced in what they wanted. I told them GBC and they said something along the lines of, Oh a Bible college? Some are of Ritchie, and some are of Roper, and a few of Stedman! With Pauls harsh criticism of said divisions, you would think that we might have learned how to move beyond that in the 21st Century, however, that is not the case. 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. 11My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. It is not merely that the Church is everywhere split up into sections, but that this has led to party strife and jealousy. Their divisions, lack of church discipline, lawsuits, abuse of Christian liberty and over-emphasis of the gift of tongues, all illustrate this root problem. 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. Christ belongs fully to every believer in His spiritual body, the Church. They take an innocent teaching medium, in this case baptism, and make it into an identification badge. Who are we, that we should put our interests and our desires ahead of that of the Lord for his church? 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. Was Paul crucified for you? 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. His dissertation was published as Jesus the Bridegroom by Pickwick Books in 2012. They forget, of course, that the church never belongs to anybody but the Lord. In the body of Christ at large there are many who can make a contribution to the understanding of Christ. 7-False zeal for spiritual gifts. This is a very propitious time for us to consider the cross for this is Palm Sunday, commemorating the day when our Lord entered Jerusalem for his last week. They will not all be the same flavor; they will not all have the same characteristics. What he says we'll listen to, not Paul or Peter or anyone else -- it makes no difference to us." This division in the church was over their own selfish ambitions evidenced in what they wanted. 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. On a large jigsaw puzzle of a thousand pieces or more, its almost impossible to put it together upside down! In verse 10 we see both Pauls affection for the Corinthian church, and his authority as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. For example, in the first section from 1:10 to 4:21, it's errors regarding division. On Friday of this week we will gather again to consider the cross of 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. One of these influencing factors is consumerism which finds its way into even the way Christians think. We tend to fall out along doctrinal lines or because we are drawn to one charismatic pastor over another. This is the result of a religious snobbery associated by cliques that produced pride and conflict. It wasnt even about secondary doctrine (the second coming, the nature of baptism). 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? 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. The Corinthian church had many problems, and most of them were the result of pride and placing so much emphasis on social 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. There is not a single Christian teacher who ever lived who can help us be forgiven one single sin, not one. The search went on until nightfall, but no answer came to their urgent calls. 4-The churchs failure to discipline. WebPaul rebukes the Corinthians because there are divisions and quarrels in the church.