No Divisions

[Division]: The act of dividing or separating into parts, any entire body

1 Corinthians 1:10.  “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

Here Paul is urging the people to be of the same mind and in agreement about the purpose of the Church. We are to preach the gospel and seek to see people saved and baptized and discipled.  He wanted them to stop focusing on these temporal, self-serving issues.  Also, let me point out that the word “divisions” is plural; a clear indication to us that there were several issues causing division in their church.

1 Corinthians 1:11. “For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.”

 He reveals to the Church that a person, who it seems they all respected, had informed him of the situation.  He begins to give instruction as to what should be done differently.  We do not receive much information about this person called Chloe, it is possible that it is a surname, given its context, or that it could be a spiritual woman of that Church.

1 Corinthians 1:12.  “Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.”

It seems that one reason division had crept in among the Church was their disputing over who had led them to Christ.  They claimed that three different men were responsible, and then some gave all the credit to Christ (I think this actually meant they were crediting themselves) implying that they had come to Christ with the help of no man.  We are all probably already familiar with who Paul is, so let’s take a look at Apollos and Cephas.  Acts 18:24  “And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.” Acts 19:1  “And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,”

John 1:42  “And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.” We would know this man by his more commonly called name, Peter.

1 Corinthians 1:13. “Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?”

 There are no divisions in Christ, neither literally nor figuratively.  Not one bone in His body was broken during the torturous treatment of the crucifixion. John 19:36 “A bone of him shall not be broken”  He never contradicts Himself or makes mistakes, causing no possible place for division  1Corinthians 14:33  “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”

1 Corinthians 1:14-16. “I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.  And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.”

Paul tells them, I’m glad I didn’t baptize you; indicating the flaw in their argument and also that this dispute was pointless.  The two men who were responsible for the baptizing of these feuding converts were, Crispus, who was a converted Chief Ruler of a Synagogue (Acts 18:8), and Gaius, a hospitable man who had hosted Paul and been converted, (Romans 16:23).

1 Corinthians 1:17. “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.”

Paul’s mission was to break down the Gospel and to put it on the level of every man, making it possible for all who heard Him and desired the free gift, to be saved.  He was not saying that baptism is unimportant or that he thought it unnecessary, but rather that many could fill that role where as his role was to preach the Gospel to all that he could, and to parent the churches he had started or helped to start.

Where do divisions originate?

1.       They were comparing their own lives and actions with those of others.  The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:12 that this practice is not wise.  We should only compare ourselves to Christ.  By doing so, we will always find room for personal improvement.

2.       Because they like us were sinners.

Proverbs  28:25  He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

Proverbs 29:22  An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

This is where the divisions in believers are created. If we were all perfect Christians then we would all be exactly the same; because, we would all be trying to be just like Christ!

I believe that most times divisions form within a person first, and then proceed to divide others. Matthew 6:24 “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”  Christians who are knowingly and deliberately living in sin are divided. A person who has accepted Christ as Saviour belongs to God and will have a divine desire to live more like Him. These people may hear the Spirit of the Lord speaking to them in Church, they might see what they should be through the Scriptures, and then become angry; because, rather than getting right with God and become willing to cease from their sin that person causes divisions and leaves the church based on the fact that there are too many hypocritical, judgmental people at that church! Divisions seem ridiculous to those who are not involved, but many are struggling with these inner divisions right now.  If that is you, please seek help from God and your Spiritual leaders.

Philippians 2:3  “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”