In the church of Corinth the brethren had lined up under certain preachers like Paul, Apollos and Cephas, while others said they were devoted only to Christ. This brings up the age old problem of division in the church and God’s attitude toward it. Listen in as we discuss this problem and how we can seek to avoid it.
Teaching Notes:
Putting Away Party Divisions
1 Corinthians 1:10-17
Intro: Remember that 1 Corinthians can be split into 2 parts: Chapters 1-6, and 7-16. In Chapters 1-6 Paul is responding to a report from Chloe’s people about problems in the church (1:11). It may be that Chloe had slaves that she sent on business to the same city that Paul was in. They met up with Paul and communicated some of the problems that were going on in the church. So, Paul writes this letter to reprove these sins, including, Divisions, Allowing Sin in the Church, Lawsuits, and Sexual Immorality. The 2nd half of the letter is Paul responding to questions included in a letter to him (1Cor.7:1). In this section he deals with questions concerning Marriage, Virgins, Food offered to idols, head coverings, the Lord’s Supper, Spiritual Gifts, The Resurrection and the Offering. In this section, Paul begins every new discussion with the word “Now.”
1:10 The very first thing out of Paul’s mouth after he has completed his intro is a call to unity. This subject will take the most instruction (chapters 1-4). This shows how important unity was to Paul, and how deadly divisions can be. Exhort = urge. Brethren – by using this term Paul is reminding them that they are all brothers and members of the same family, therefore divisions are unnatural and ugly.
By the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. This adds even more seriousness and authority to this exhortation. These believers called on the “name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1:2. Paul now exhorts them by that same name.
Positively: That you all agree. That you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Negatively: that there be no divisions among you.
1:11 Where did Paul’s concerns come from?
He was informed by Chloe’s people about their quarrels.
1:12 What did these quarrels look like?
They were splitting up under human leaders – Paul, Apollos, Cephas and Christ. It appears that Cephas was not really a strong contender (3:4-6). Rather it seems most of them were split under Paul or Apollos. Those that didn’t do either, said, “I only need Christ.”
The church at Corinth was divided into 4 groups:
- Some said, “We follow Paul, the founder of this church.”
- Others said, “Paul’s not impressive. We follow Apollos. He is an eloquent orator, a powerful preacher.
- A third group said, “Apollos may be a skilled speaker, but we can’t figure out what he is saying. We follow Peter, the fisherman. He speaks practically and simply.”
- A fourth group said, “We don’t follow any man. We follow Christ.”
These same 4 groups can still be seen today…
- “We’re going to stay with the pastor who founded this church,” some say.
- Others say, We want someone more eloquent.”
- “We want someone more practical,” says a third faction.
- “We only need Jesus,” says a fourth.
We would think that the last group “I am of Christ” were the ones in the right. However, Paul includes them as one of the 4 cliques that had divided and quarreled. In fact, they may be the group that is most proud. Their mentality might be that of a private in the U.S. Army who, when asked what division he is with, would answer, “I’m not into companies or divisions. I’m a freelancer. I fight where I want; I come and go as I please. I’m a soldier; but I’m not into the structure of command. It’s too restrictive. I only answer to my Commander in Chief, the President of the United States.”
There are those who say, “I’m not responsible, accountable, linked to any elder; pastor; or group of brothers. I answer only to Jesus.” Although Jesus is indeed our Commander in Chief, and we do answer to Him, He has chosen to work through the structure of the body of Christ.
1:13 In order to destroy the party spirits that had arise, Paul challenges them with some questions. Has Christ been divided? Of course not. Then why are you divided if you have all been sanctified in Christ Jesus and you all call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ?
Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Of course not! Then why align yourself with him? He is not your Saivor!
Were you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not! Paul is nothing – Apollos is nothing. Christ is everything! 1Cor.3:6-7.
1:14-15 Who did Paul baptize?
Crispus – Acts 18:8, the leader of the synagogue. He is the first convert mentioned to come from Corinth, except perhaps Priscilla and Aquila. Since Paul was staying at Titius Justis’ house, probably a Jewish proselyte, right next door to the synagogue, he would have had ample opportunity to talk and reason with him. Evidently, Paul shared Christ with him and he was converted.
Gaius – Rom.16:23. Since Paul wrote the book of Romans from Corinth, this must be the same Gaius mentioned there, the host to the whole church. Evidently he owned a large home, big enough for the church to meet at.
1:16 the household of Stephanus: Who is the household of Stephanus? 1 Cor. 16:15-17. They were the first fruits of Achaia. They devoted themselves for ministry to the saints. So, if Paul baptized them, who baptized all the rest? Acts 18:8. It could have been Silas and Timothy. But I have a hunch it was Stephanas and Crispus. (David Sitton’s example on the mission field)
1:17 Christ did not send Paul to baptize but to preach the gospel. Christ did not send him to preach in cleverness of speech. Why not? Because if he did, the cross of Christ would be made void. Why? Because people would get caught up in the cleverness and eloquence of the speaker and not in the truth of the message.
Note: baptism does not have to be performed by an apostle or authorized leader to be valid. Jesus didn’t baptize (Jn.4:1). Neither did Peter (Acts 10:48). Paul didn’t baptize many – only the first few converts. Rather, a no name disciple, Ananias, baptized Paul (Acts 9:18). Baptism can be performed by any believer. The person who does the baptizing is not important, it is the Name into which we are baptized that is all important.
The Primary Spiritual Truth
The vital importance of unity in the church. If you were in the church of Corinth in the 1st century, who would you naturally align yourself with? The founding pastor, the powerful eloquent preacher, the simple and practical teacher, or Christ alone apart from human leaders? It is wrong for us to split over human leaders. It appears that the church in Corinth was splitting up into various groups. There was a group which gave special allegiance to Paul, another to Apollos, another to Cephas, and another who had no allegiance to any human leader, but only to Christ. I’ve met people who will only listen to 1 pastor’s teachings (Bruce Mumper, John MacArthur). Rather, God would have us recognize the Spirit of Christ working through all his servants, and receive His blessings that come through all of them. We can be strengthened in our faith differently through different people. If we only align ourselves with the ministry of 1 man, we lose out, because no one 1 man can reflect the fullness of Christ. We need to be careful we don’t make too much of our leaders, and put them on pedestals. Be careful of lifting up some pastor, teacher, evangelist, or missionary and exalting them. William Brannam, Ellen White, John Calvin, Martin Luther, Chuck Smith, John Wimber, John Piper. Any pastor whose messages are recorded, and writes extensively has the potential of becoming a leader who will be lifted up beyond measure. When we do this, we create divisions in the church. We quarrel over who has the truth. Rather, we should exalt Christ, and look at all others as merely His servants, through whom He can bring blessing, but are fallible men who do not see perfectly.
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