And I say that because some people focus on PREACHER instead of THE SAVIOR. The better the orator, the higher the fee, and the more disciples he will attract. Paul is putting his finger right on the problem when he asks, "Was Paul crucified for you?" The bridesmaids have come down the aisle. But when it comes to the clear teachings of Gods Word, there cannot be two conflicting views that are both right. WebThe Corinthians were basically making a mockery of Communion. Now, here the apostle makes very clear that the tendency among groupies is to distort the meaning of symbols. Some followed Apollos whom they honored above Paul (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4; Acts 18:24 to 19:1). When you divide up among men you lose something, that is what he is saying. 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. 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. There are three different causes of divisions in churches that Paul mentions in I Corinthians. That is what they were doing with baptism here in Corinth. I am sure there were many in Corinth who were saying, "Oh, I love to hear Apollos! When I say it gets ignored like an infomercial you probably infer what that means. He then goes on to explain that it was the Corinthian wisdom that created so much disunity. Offshoots had disturbed the church. The individual leaders should only point them to Christ. 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. 6-Members defiling the Lords Supper. They would have the Scofield Reference Bible and a notebook under one arm, and you knew that if you examined their Bibles you would find the ladder index on the pages. The individual leaders should only point them to Christ. God is not confused, and He does not contradict Himself. There has been no other cure that I know of through the years. Since I was working at that time in the ship's service department in Pearl Harbor, we ordered great quantities of these Bibles. Others bragged that they were followers of Peter (1 Corinthians 1:12). Its a lot harder! With all the differences among us, it is impossible to get people to think alike. This division in the church was over their own selfish ambitions evidenced in what they wanted. It is possible that these divisions represent competing house churches, some founded by Paul, some by Apollos. 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. Not even a three-fourths vote should carry a motion. It is possible, though, that the divisions among 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 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). Bruises show on her arm! Lewis.". So undoubtedly there was a big group that followed Paul. Message transcript and recording 1978 by Ray Stedman Ministries, owner of sole copyright by assignment from the author. We all know what a clique is. Whatever you say, I believe." Webdivided. Sometimes a church leader can have so much clout that he begins to have cult status. Offshoots had disturbed the church. 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. Because I am a little defensive it seems like they are almost my enemy. 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). 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). A young pastor who was facing that problem in his church called me this week from another state. Was Paul crucified for you? 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. In what ways have we failed to de-paganize? As a result, this led to the division among Christian converts and to the Christian community as a whole. Some followed Apollos whom they honored above Paul (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4; Acts 18:24 to 19:1). WebAccording to Paul, the communitys problems were the consequence of the Corinthians mistaken belief that they had already been exalted. WebThe members of the Corinthian church we disunited because they were pledging their allegiance to human leaders rather than God. The Corinthian church had many problems, and most of them were the result of pride and placing so much emphasis on social status. 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. The first and perhaps biggest is denominations. "One is your master; all of you are brothers," (Matthew 23:8 KJV). Alexandria was a center for learning and philosophy. In other words, there must be agreement with Christ, with His will, and with His Word. We are all equally undeserving of salvation and a relationship with Jesus Christ. We must allow him the privilege of doing that. 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. Some considered Paul their leader, others Apollos, still others Peter. Webdivided. The most well known one is having worship on Sundays instead of the Sabbath. He come to Corinth to create a community of disciples from which he might receive patronage and prestige. There were: the followers of Paul, the followers of Apollos, the followers of Cephas or Peter, and the followers of Christ. It wipes out all the petty distinctions that men make among themselves. His Word does not disagree with itself. In my church it seems like they are all about numbers. However, I would like to approach this in a different way than the comments already present here. The basic meaning is to put back together and make one again something that was broken or separated. Some Corinthian Christians were dividing over church teachers. The words made complete mean to be perfectly joined together, like a jigsaw puzzle. These are not the only causes of divisions in churches today. They may have carried Pauls teachings of justification by faith and freedom from the Law to an extreme and felt free to do whatever they wanted. 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. They embraced the values of their Roman society, which divided over ethnicity (e.g., Jews vs. Gentiles) and social rank (wise vs. foolish, powerful They read only his books or listen only to his tapes. Only the Lord Jesus Christ could pay the penalty for our sins because only He is the Son of God. It seems like this isnt a problem and doesnt affect the church much in its present state. 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. He says, in effect, "You don't cure divisions in a church by identification badges. Phillip J. 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 was unaware of this connection before now but it really makes sense. They did not try to hide the problems. In verse 11, Paul gives the reason for his appeal for unity in the church at Corinth. God, therefore, has designed that there be many teachers, many preachers, many viewpoints, in a church. 5-Members going to pagan courts to settle disputes. Anyone who claims that he or she has an exclusive part in Christ is wrong. His bride, the Church, has been fighting again!. WebThe Christians at Corinth were dividing the church by pledging their loyalties to different celebrities. They forget, of course, that the church never belongs to anybody but the Lord. One of the celebrities was Paul himself some believers at Corinth actually claimed to be his followers. If Paul could see the divisions between the various denominations of today, what would he say? 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. Now, he describes the nature of unity this way, "that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment." I appreciate the perspective given by the author and agree 100% that the body of Christ is divided. Some are of Ritchie, and some are of Roper, and a few of Stedman! Her gown is ripped and covered with mud! I agree with P. Longs last statement in that things have not improved much since the first century. It seems unbelievable at first to think that this kind of division exists within the modern church, but more often than not it is actually one of the most common reasons for division. These kinds of things happen when there are divisions in a church. Dio Chrysostom visited Corinth about A.D. 89-96. 1-False prophets (2 Corinthians 11:13). They are his family in Christ. Conclusion. In my experience though, I find that it is carnal and unspiritual leaders that put up walls and fences between members of the body. I have to admit though that sometimes I think about numbers and recognition and want that. 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. Lovelessness among Christians is not a light thing.. Some pigged out at the Lord Supper; others had barely enough to eat. Paul, however, was a good leader. People begin to think things about him that are not true, and expect things from him that he is unable to deliver. It is popularized in the movie Mean Girls. And there are others who are drawn to some speaking style that has attracted them. Some boasted of their special spiritual gifts; others felt left out. In verse 11, Paul gives the reason for his appeal for unity in the church at Corinth. 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. All are mere teachers; there is only one Lord. Thats not the way a jigsaw puzzle was meant to be put together. WebThe spirit that wrought such mischief at Corinth has been busy in the Church ever since. That was the mark, that was the identification badge. To an unbeliever, this looks like we cannot agree on our own religion. What should our evaluation of a ministry look like I wonder if its not by numbers? There were, first of all, the loyalists who said, "We are of Paul. Religious snobs want to be a part of a small group who This is what Paul does here. He said so himself. I have had people say to me, "Oh, Mr. Stedman, when you speak I see so clearly! 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. 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.". WebThe spirit that wrought such mischief at Corinth has been busy in the Church ever since. For example, in the first section from 1:10 to 4:21, it's errors regarding division. It is well known that division in the church of Corinth was over leadership. It is not merely that the Church is everywhere split up into sections, but that this has led to party strife and jealousy. The Lords Supper was affected by the divisions between rich and poor and an overall general misunderstanding. In the year 1 054 the Church was divided into two parts: 1) The Greek Eastern Church 2) The Roman Western Church. One of the celebrities was Paul himself some believers at Corinth actually claimed to be his followers. Lovelessness among Christians is not a light thing.. Some Corinthian Christians were dividing over church teachers. The minister is waiting, Bible in hand. 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. If I was not raised in a Christian home, I think that I would have the same concerns. And more than that, we have a responsibility to obey him, to follow his Lordship. Webdivided. From the book of Acts we learn that Apollos was an outstanding orator in a world that loved and appreciated oratory. 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. In conjunction with this, some people were questioning Pauls character and authority ( 1 Corinthians 14 ). He started this church. Paul, however, was a good leader. Each group claimed to be better than the others, and party spirits began to grow in the church. They were burdened about them, and they went to the right person with them. Aside from this acceptable division within the modern church, there are also two other reasons for division which should not exist. I told them GBC and they said something along the lines of, Oh a Bible college? Its pathetic that people should get so angry about whether drums are used or if the AC unit is kept at 71 or 70. So rather that detailing their accomplishments as orators, Paul describes their functions (Paul planted, Apollos watered, etc.) This Bible was pushed by the Navigators, and everybody had to have one. The Lords Supper was affected by the divisions between rich and poor and an overall general misunderstanding. 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. The bibles need to match the pews which need to match the carpet which need to match the wall color. This division in the church was over their own selfish ambitions evidenced in what they wanted. 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. A. He is the ground, always, of unity. Who are we, that we should put our interests and our desires ahead of that of the Lord for his church? 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." The Corinthian church had many problems, and most of them were the result of pride and placing so much emphasis on social status. It wasnt even about secondary doctrine (the second coming, the nature of baptism). There are three different causes of divisions in churches that Paul mentions in I Corinthians. 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. Whenever this attitude of gathering around a man is allowed to perpetuate itself, it is the source of much trouble and difficulty. But yet the apostle says they are to be of the same mind. I hang on every word you say. 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. We, as the modern church, say that we hold to Pauls message that we shouldnt be conformed to this world, but when we look at the world, there seem to be just as many divisions. It is those who have a financial interest in their own wellbeing, that divide the sheep up into different folds. Unless its mended, the tear gets bigger and bigger, doesnt it? These kinds of things happen when there are divisions in a church. 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? Other divisions were to follow. Instead of directly saying that we follow Paul, or Apollos, we say that we are Baptist, Reformed, or even Catholic. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. All that mattered to Paul was Jesus! 2- The Churchs division. Each group claimed to be better than the others, and party spirits began to grow in the church. There was extreme competition among the orators for honor and power. 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." Will we do so by the strength which God alone can and will supply? One day in Africa, a small boy was lost. Everybody has their denomination and they cling relentless to their doctrinal beliefs. He had received a report from the household of Cloe that there were quarrels among the members of the Corinthian church. For example, in the first section from 1:10 to 4:21, it's errors regarding division. He's a great preacher, a warm, capable, eloquent man, who can make the Old Testament come alive!". Unfortunately, this has effected our outreach. Then there were the traditionalists (there always are), those that say, "Well, I don't know about Paul or Apollos. These kinds of things happen when there are divisions in a church. The Corinthian Church. 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. He addresses them as brethren. His most recent book is The Book of Enoch for Beginners: A Guide to Expand Your Understanding of the Biblical World (Rockridge, 2022). We tend to fall out along doctrinal lines or because we are drawn to one charismatic pastor over another. But if it is to escape pressures and difficulties and problems in the congregation, then it is absolutely wrong and the worst thing he could do, because it sets before the watching world a false testimony concerning the church of Jesus Christ. Her nose is bloody! The families have been seated. In verses 10-12, Paul begins by giving an appeal for unity. 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.. We have Jesus only groups even today. Website 2023 by Ray Stedman Ministries. 7-False zeal for spiritual gifts. They were caused by Cliques (1:12; 3:4). WebWhat were the causes of division in the Corinthian Church? Paul gives the church a stern warning about their actions and the proper way to participate. Luke says in Acts 4:12, And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men, by which we must be saved. The ground is level at the cross. I would like to approach it from an evangelistic standpoint. It was a glorious work. 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. WebDivisions in the Church. The Navigators in those days did a great work in the Navy throughout the whole of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and hundreds of young men were led to Christ through their efforts during the war years. 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. 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. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any one else). Thanks for the thoughtful comment Austin. I was taking my break and a person I work with asked where I went to college. 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. 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. How important is it that there be unity in the Church where you fellowship? It seems so bland compared to all the other choices out there when really it presents and encourages people to live out a very different and exciting life in the opposite direction of the world. The church at Corinth had divided loyalty to different leaders. 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?. Now, it cannot. I always have, and always will believe that this overly exaggerated concept of denominations is a problem. And some of them are really gross. Ridiculous? How many of you have ever put together a jigsaw puzzle? 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). The Corinthian church had many problems, and most of them were the result of pride and placing so much emphasis on social status. 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. Paul does not want to be considered a philosopher who is gathering disciples, nor does he want that for Apollos or Peter or any man. Paul knew this and said in 1 Corinthians 2:1-2, When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed the testimony about God. The facts in the gospel are what will set us free, and particularly, he says, the word of the cross. WebThe Christians at Corinth were dividing the church by pledging their loyalties to different celebrities. These are two common causes of church divisions in the West. In fact, there are still many divisions that exist today in modern churches. Instead of tearing themselves apart, he urges them to be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. In her book, The Key to a Loving Heart, Karen Mains includes a parable about the church entitled The Brawling Bride. But when doctrinal beliefs keep churches from working together to further the gospel. 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. To resolve this issue, he encourages communal love. 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. 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? We go back to the Lord alone. Offshoots had disturbed the church. Christ did not send me to take scalps or to cut notches on my gun handle as to how many converts I've won." Polhill says, every Corinthian had their own favorite preacher (237). Austin Hellier Brisbane Queensland Australia. It builds him up too much; it makes him a rival, to some degree, of the Lord himself. And there were some who said, "Well, when Peter came through, he baptized me. (1 Corinthians 1:12 RSV) Now, there was the trouble at Corinth. Some say, "I am of Gothard," and others say, "No, I am of Bright." 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. Acts 18:24 says that Apollos was an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man. Orators have to be so careful not to let teaching become a pride thing rather than a gift they share to better the other. What is a clique? (1Corinthians 1:13 RSV). 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. The church in Corinth was a group of people who were tearing themselves apart! 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers.