No Divisions Among You

 

 Introduction

In 1 Corinthians 1:10 the apostle Paul writes, Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

The main challenge of the church in Corinth was the variety of divisions that they had. It’s a similar challenge that congregations have today. We only have the one gospel (Eph. 4:5) and, therefore, should only follow it as God’s command. The ideas of men sometime get in the way, causing great strife.

 

Who do You Follow?

Paul continues, in his letter, in verse 12, Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” The factions, here, show that members of the congregation were gravitating towards the men who, either taught them the gospel or, perhaps, baptized them. Those who declared, “I am of Christ” were likely the members who didn’t go after the other factions. They chose to stay under the banner of Christ than that of a man.

To modernize this, you could have people declare; “I am of Joseph Smith,” or “I am of John Calvin,” or I am of “William Taze Russell.” These are men who created their own churches (denominations) based on their doctrines and not of Christ’s.

 

Who Died for You?

Paul then asks specific questions in verse 13, Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? The church in Corinth, much like the denominations today, have forgotten who died on the cross for their sins. Was it Paul? Apollos? Cephas? No! It was Jesus the Christ! Since He died for their sins, and bought the church with his blood (Act 20:28), then it is His name that should be used to represent who you follow and believe in. This is why true followers of Christ are called, Christians (Acts 11:26). They don’t assemble in a church that was named after a man. They assemble in the only church that will be saved in the end (Rom. 16:16)

 

Conclusion

For a good example of this, read Jesus’ parable of the tares (Mt. 13:24-30) and the explanation found in (Mt. 13:36-43). This will be the deciding factor of those who follow the doctrines of men rather than God.

You don’t need the label of a man to identify who you are. If you say that you are a Christian, it had better be the way God had intended. See my article on The Bible Christian.