WebWhat were the causes of division in the Corinthian Church? 6-Members defiling the Lords Supper. I do not think things have improved much since the first century. Now, Paul says this is all basically, fundamentally wrong. Near the cross, O Lamb of God, bring its scenes before me. Instead of directly saying that we follow Paul, or Apollos, we say that we are Baptist, Reformed, or even Catholic. In desperation, they returned and held a meeting. I agree with P. Longs last statement in that things have not improved much since the first century. With that spirit of self-righteous smugness, they were separating from the rest, dividing up the congregation and quarreling with one another over these things. Offshoots had disturbed the church. Its all about who looks the best, how much money is made, and how big our churches are. 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.". Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? Do we need to be looking for results? Its not just the denominations per se any more theres also a proliferation of house churches too. There should be oneness of mind, no matter how long it takes. In this passage of Scripture, Paul is very careful to focus the attention on Christ and not on himself. This Bible was pushed by the Navigators, and everybody had to have one. It wasnt even about secondary doctrine (the second coming, the nature of baptism). 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. The Protestant Reformation had its beginnings in 1517 (see Chapter 1 0). 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. So undoubtedly there was a big group that followed Paul. If you survey the church scene all over America today, you find people dividing up this way. The Greek word used here literally means to say the same thing. In these cases, there should be freedom to agree to disagree. That, of course, is as it should be. He then goes on to explain that it was the Corinthian wisdom that created so much disunity. 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). He had received a report from the household of Cloe that there were quarrels among the members of the Corinthian church. In fact, there are still many divisions that exist today in modern churches. Will we do so by the strength which God alone can and will supply? And he speaks in the name of or by the authority of, our Lord Jesus Christ. It is well known that division in the church of Corinth was over leadership. WebPaul rebukes the Corinthians because there are divisions and quarrels in the church. In verses 10-17 of Chapter 1, Paul establishes the fact that there are divisions and begins to deal with them. Gods people who are moving in revival (like we have been to experiencing right here in Brisbane these last few months) have no qualms about getting together to see the nation of Australia come to Christ. Now, you do not have to be very old to recognize that that is still a problem in the church. 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). 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. 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. 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. It is possible that these divisions represent competing house churches, some founded by Paul, some by Apollos. Other divisions were to follow. (1Corinthians 1:13 RSV). Because I am a little defensive it seems like they are almost my enemy. I think today if church leaders focus on Jesus and only Jesus we would be so much healthier. Something shows up sooner or later as an identifying badge that marks them as "special," with special privilege and special status in that group. 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. The church in Corinth was a group of people who were tearing themselves apart! 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 came to life in Christ by Paul, and Paul is the one we're going to listen to above all others." Now, how could that be? Some sued their fellow Christians in the secular courts. I used to attend a Navigator group which met in Honolulu on Sunday afternoons. Religious snobs want to be a part of a small group who Then there were the traditionalists (there always are), those that say, "Well, I don't know about Paul or Apollos. I find there are these tendencies right here in Peninsula Bible Church. It is those who have a financial interest in their own wellbeing, that divide the sheep up into different folds. That is what Paul speaks about. Sometimes a church leader can have so much clout that he begins to have cult status. 4-The churchs failure to discipline. I'm nobody, just like you!" 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. One of them being the reason to follow a specific pastor. If we sacrifice quality for numbers I dont think we are being good stewards of our gift of leadership. This Western Church soon became known as the Roman Catholic Church. Others bragged that they were followers of Peter (1 Corinthians 1:12). But when doctrinal beliefs keep churches from working together to further the gospel. Paul is putting his finger right on the problem when he asks, "Was Paul crucified for you?" This introduces one of the greatest passages in the Bible, setting forth the difference between the wisdom of man and the wisdom of God. 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. 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. Now, in Verse13 you understand why. 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." In my experience though, I find that it is carnal and unspiritual leaders that put up walls and fences between members of the body. Webdivided. 1-False prophets (2 Corinthians 11:13). This also brings up another Pagan influence which is naming the days of the week after the planets. 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. And, after all, Peter even walked on water!" 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. One of his biggest goals is to double our congregation so we have 5,000 members. All rights reserved. One eye is purple and swollen! He was a rhetorician who was especially capable in the allegorical style of teaching of the Old Testament. Sometimes two or three hundred sailors, all of them Christians, would be there. There are several things that split the church today. One of the celebrities was Paul himself some believers at Corinth actually claimed to be his followers. With all the differences among us, it is impossible to get people to think alike. There are those who are emotionally attached to some great Christian leader who has helped them, and they will only listen to him. It is possible that these divisions represent competing house churches, some founded by Paul, some by Apollos. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. WebThe members of the Corinthian church we disunited because they were pledging their allegiance to human leaders rather than God. On a large jigsaw puzzle of a thousand pieces or more, its almost impossible to put it together upside down! 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. 2- The Churchs division. 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. Their divisions, lack of church discipline, lawsuits, abuse of Christian liberty and over-emphasis of the gift of tongues, all illustrate this root problem. Paul, however, was a good leader. WebThe spirit that wrought such mischief at Corinth has been busy in the Church ever since. The divisions of Christendom are the scandal of Christianity. This is the result of a religious snobbery associated by cliques that produced pride and conflict. The anxiety of the childs mother continued to grow, for she knew that her boy was somewhere out in the darkness where wild animals were constantly on the prowl. They were caused by Cliques (1:12; 3:4). They love to listen to someone because he turns them on emotionally. 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. Others were saying, "Well, Apollos himself baptized me." I always have, and always will believe that this overly exaggerated concept of denominations is a problem. I personally experienced this at work about a year and a half ago. It is well known that division in the church of Corinth was over leadership. Acts 18:24 says that Apollos was an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man. Let's get back to the beginnings. 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. Message transcript and recording 1978 by Ray Stedman Ministries, owner of sole copyright by assignment from the author. Their divisions, lack of church discipline, lawsuits, abuse of Christian liberty and over-emphasis of the gift of tongues, all illustrate this root problem. A. (Philippians 2:6-8 RSV). 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. It was expected. Some people will pick other matters of doctrine to affirm. Here in Verse10 he briefly shows us the ground of unity, and the nature of unity in a church. (Peter, evidently, had been through Corinth and had preached there.) But that is a very dangerous attitude, and yet we tend to think of people as being the channel by which deliverance can come to our heart. I dont remember Paul seeing any thing like these issues as other than trivial. A number of churches in this postmodern era have begun to resemble the Corinthian church in alarming ways. Some boasted of their special spiritual gifts; others felt left out. This issue was so important that Paul devotes the first four chapters of I Corinthians to divisions in the church. 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). WebPaul rebukes the Corinthians because there are divisions and quarrels in the church. I have been in many places where they were having church fights and almost invariably the thing that gives away that a church is in trouble is when people start talking about "my church," not in the sense that is perfectly proper as meaning, "The church where I go," but leaders of the church actually saying, "This is our church," and telling other people they have no rights to do something because the church belongs to them. We all know what a clique is. I have had people say to me, "Oh, Mr. Stedman, when you speak I see so clearly! (1Corinthians 1:13b-16 RSV). Polhill says, every Corinthian had their own favorite preacher (237). Apollos was an intellectual. 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). And more than that, we have a responsibility to obey him, to follow his Lordship. Going off of what Cody is saying, in todays church everything needs to be just right. It is possible that these divisions represent competing house churches, some founded by Paul, some by Apollos. 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. 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). Furthermore, would the apostle not also be concerned with other divisions within the individual church body? Austin Hellier Brisbane Queensland Australia. It builds him up too much; it makes him a rival, to some degree, of the Lord himself. There are several important terms in this passage. The other reason is the division among churches of the same denomination. 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. 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. Was Paul crucified for you? The search went on until nightfall, but no answer came to their urgent calls. Some are of Ritchie, and some are of Roper, and a few of Stedman! God is all about people, not money, and I feel sorry for anyone who tries to take over the current move of God, put it in a box, stick a label on it, and own it they will be swept away. We worry about how the power points are going to look, if we should have one or two singers, drums or no drums, electric guitars or none at all (I feel like you get my point) its almost as if we worship these things! It took four viewpoints to report his earthly life and ministry accurately enough to us. 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). And some of them are really gross. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any one else). The Corinthian church had many problems, and most of them were the result of pride and placing so much emphasis on social status. What is a clique? 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. We have Jesus only groups even today. If you will turn in your Bibles with me to John 17:20-23, I will read the passage to you. The better the orator, the higher the fee, and the more disciples he will attract. Christ did not send me to take scalps or to cut notches on my gun handle as to how many converts I've won." 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. 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. 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! (1Corinthians 1:12 RSV), Now, there was the trouble at Corinth. 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.. Some followed Apollos whom they honored above Paul (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4; Acts 18:24 to 19:1). WebThe Christians at Corinth were dividing the church by pledging their loyalties to different celebrities. 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. There are even discrepancies inside single denominations (which means we have division inside our divisions, great). I. PAULS APPEAL FOR UNITY (verses 10-12). The words made complete mean to be perfectly joined together, like a jigsaw puzzle. It wasnt even about secondary doctrine (the second coming, the nature of baptism). They read only his books or listen only to his tapes. WebThe members of the Corinthian church we disunited because they were pledging their allegiance to human leaders rather than God. Each group claimed to be better than the others, and party spirits began to grow in the church. They are springing up all over the place, including Downunder (Australia) where I live here in Brisbane. Not even a three-fourths vote should carry a motion. There is no other name big enough, great enough, glorious enough, and powerful enough to gather everybody together, despite the diversity of viewpoint and the differences of background or status in life, than the name of Jesus.
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