An Elder Speaks

Divisions in the Church (1 Corinthians 1:10-17)
By Lindsey Baker,Jr.
October 8, 2006

The Corinthians were divided into factions. Some claim to follow Paul, Some Apollos, some Cephas, and some Christ (I Corinthians 1:12). Paul asked, “Is Christ divided” Was Paul crucified for you? Were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” (I Corinthians 1:13) It is sinful to follow any person in religion or wear his name unless he was crucified for us and we were baptized into his name. In first Corinthians 4:6, Paul used the names of Paul and Apollos to illustrate lessons which he wanted to impress upon the Corinthians. That lesson was “that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.” (1 Corinthians 4:6) The remedy for all trouble is the preaching of the gospel. “It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (I Corinthians 1:21)

Paul honestly pleads with the members of the church that there be no divisions among them but they be perfectly joined together in speaking the same truth. (I Corinthians 1:10) Instead of being separated into various denominations or different parties within the church, he admonishes them to be one.

“The Corinthians hearing, believed and were baptized “(Acts 18:8), but the fellow ministers of Paul usually administered the baptism. Paul did not say he was glad he had not baptized people, “lest any should say it was necessary to be baptized to be saved,” (I Corinthians 1:14) but lest any should say that he had baptized in his own name.

Jesus prayed that his followers be one. In John 17:17-22, the Bible says, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word: That they all my be one; as thou, Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gravest me I have given them: that they may be one even as we are one.

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