At that time it was under the leadership of its founder, Dawson Trotman, and it was my privilege and delight to be a close friend of his, to have spent a good deal of time with him and to come under the influence of his teaching and his methods. Sometimes two or three hundred sailors, all of them Christians, would be there. The Protestant Reformation had its beginnings in 1517 (see Chapter 1 0). Take the various mega-churches for example, whose charismatic pastors live in mansions. Conclusion. Acts 18:24 says that Apollos was an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man. The bride is limping! Unity in the church is something that requires cooperation with each other and with the Spirit of God. It is the popular thing today to cry, "Back to the Reformation!" This also brings up another Pagan influence which is naming the days of the week after the planets. You may recall also that in writing to the church at Ephesus, he exhorted the elders there to be careful to "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace," (Ephesians 4:3 RSV). They failed to take seriously the power of evil; their behavior caused divisions in the church and led to a lack of concern for other members. In what ways have we failed to de-paganize? (Phil Long). Their divisions, lack of church discipline, lawsuits, abuse of Christian liberty and over-emphasis of the gift of tongues, all illustrate this root problem. And some of them are really gross. Many of us are familiar with this common phenomenon in human psychology of thinking that some symbolic thing that is of use to us is so important that we finally make it a badge of the group to which we belong. Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? No man would ever have planned the cross. Austin Hellier Brisbane Queensland Australia. Christ belongs fully to every believer in His spiritual body, the Church. He didnt focus on himself being superior to all the rest of the church leaders. We are of Peter." In Jesus' name, Amen. Now to this, there should be a division that exists considering that there are some denominations that do teach correct biblical doctrine, while other churches deviate from correct biblical doctrine in order to teach their own false doctrines. I do not think things have improved much since the first century. There he indicates that the problem with cliquishness is that it tends to overemphasize the significance of the human leader. Some followed Apollos whom they honored above Paul (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4; Acts 18:24 to 19:1). In conjunction with this, some people were questioning Pauls character and authority ( 1 Corinthians 14 ). Like I talked about in the first posting, the emerging church makes me question a lot of things they are doing. If you will turn in your Bibles with me to John 17:20-23, I will read the passage to you. Members follow him blindly and whatever they do seems right to them. Instead of tearing themselves apart, he urges them to be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 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." The families have been seated. I am sure there were many in Corinth who were saying, "Oh, I love to hear Apollos! As we read through First Corinthians, I think we will see how very much like modern day churches this ancient church of Corinth was. We tend to fall out along doctrinal lines or because we are drawn to one charismatic pastor over another. Some considering Paul their authority, other Apollos, others Peter, and still others accepted only Jesus as their authority. 7-False zeal for spiritual gifts. It is popularized in the movie Mean Girls. We reveal our immaturity when we insist that only those with certain characteristics are the ones we will listen to, or we feel can bless or strengthen our lives. (1Corinthians 1:13b-16 RSV). In conjunction with this, some people were questioning Pauls character and authority ( 1 Corinthians 14 ). What happens when you get a tear in a piece of clothing and you keep washing and wearing that piece of clothing with the tear in it? There are three different causes of divisions in churches that Paul mentions in I Corinthians. In verses 10-17 of Chapter 1, Paul establishes the fact that there are divisions and begins to deal with them. Paul, however, was a good leader. (1 Corinthians 1:12 RSV) Now, there was the trouble at Corinth. Members follow him blindly and whatever they do seems right to them. (I have been trying for a long time to get my wife to accept that!) There should be unanimous agreement. He appeals to them in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. It would be great if all of you would think like me, but unfortunately there are stubborn ones among you, there are depraved ones among you, there are those who have different backgrounds than I have, and some of you just do not think like I do! 2 Corinthians I Corinthians 12:12,13 says, For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. I agree with Greg, I see a lot of times where Pastors begin to care more about the number of the congregation rather on the connectedness of it. We pray that it may be rich and real in our hearts as we live this week together. This is the result of a religious snobbery associated by cliques that produced pride and conflict. These are two common causes of church divisions in the West. You could spot the Navigators going up and down the streets of Honolulu. That does not mean that everybody has to think alike. That, of course, is as it should be. There was still a fourth group, and in some ways I think they were probably the worst. Some Corinthian Christians were dividing over church teachers. I think we have failed to de-paganize the art of preaching/teaching if pastors/leaders are looking for patronage, prestige, and numbers over relationships, service, and transformation. 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. He says, in effect, "You don't cure divisions in a church by identification badges. They were caused by Cliques (1:12; 3:4). Then there were the traditionalists (there always are), those that say, "Well, I don't know about Paul or Apollos. His bride, the Church, has been fighting again!. Each group claimed to be better than the others, and party spirits began to grow in the church. I would like to start off with a quote (forgive me for the length) from Polhill that I found to be all to strikingly familiar of todays churches. In fact, there are still many divisions that exist today in modern churches. In the year 1 054 the Church was divided into two parts: 1) The Greek Eastern Church 2) The Roman Western Church. 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. Her gown is ripped and covered with mud! But when it comes to the clear teachings of Gods Word, there cannot be two conflicting views that are both right. This unintentional mindset causes people to treat the Bible and its words like it is a product that can wear out, and ignored like an infomercial. It is popularized in the movie Mean Girls. When you divide up among men you lose something, that is what he is saying. The church in Corinth was a group of people who were tearing themselves apart! 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. He had received a report from the household of Cloe that there were quarrels among the members of the Corinthian church. We may not all agree on the way to do church but there is definitely more than one effective way. This Western Church soon became known as the Roman Catholic Church. We need to be perfectly joined together in the love of Christ. What is a clique? Offshoots had disturbed the church. It is sad to see that our world appears just as divided today as it did back in the first century. Religious snobs want to be a part of a small group who Webdivided. (1Corinthians 1:10 RSV). The cross strips away our illusions and brings the pride of men tumbling down from that high place where it exalts itself against the knowledge of God. They embraced the values of their Roman society, which divided over ethnicity (e.g., Jews vs. Gentiles) and social rank (wise vs. foolish, powerful They embraced the values of their Roman society, which divided over ethnicity (e.g., Jews vs. Gentiles) and social rank (wise vs. foolish, powerful But you could always tell a Navigator because there were three things that he always had: First, he had a Scofield Reference Bible tucked under his arm. Now these things were good. In verse 11, Paul gives the reason for his appeal for unity in the church at Corinth. 1-False prophets (2 Corinthians 11:13). (1Corinthians 1:17 RSV). The Protestant Reformation had its beginnings in 1517 (see Chapter 1 0). The Lord Jesus is praying to the Father, and this is part of His prayer for us: I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one; even as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us; that the world may believe that You sent Me. Now, it cannot. Anyone who claims that he or she has an exclusive part in Christ is wrong. WebThe spirit that wrought such mischief at Corinth has been busy in the Church ever since. A. He had received a report from the household of Cloe that there were quarrels among the members of the Corinthian church. The ground, of course, is the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is well known that division in the church of Corinth was over leadership. Some had no problem with consuming meat that had been sacrificed to idols; for others, it was a real offense. Who are we, that we should put our interests and our desires ahead of that of the Lord for his church? This applies also to the leadership in the church. The same viewpoints are still dividing people. As bad as it is, it makes sense for the people of Pauls day to be concerned with whatever home church has the best orator, and then argue for them to other potential followers. What is a clique? That is what Paul speaks about. Paul did not want to present the Gospel as an orator, competing for students as they did. He chooses various channels through which to work. 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.. That is always the unifying factor in a church, and that is the mind that is to be among us, the mind that does not consider itself the most important thing. Since November 2021, Reading Acts is edited by Sarah Westphal. Some followed Apollos whom they honored above Paul (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4; Acts 18:24 to 19:1). He then goes on to explain that it was the Corinthian wisdom that created so much disunity. They were burdened about them, and they went to the right person with them. So they were splitting and arguing and quarreling over the relative merit and authority of these various teachers. (Philippians 2:6-8 RSV). Others were saying, "Well, Apollos himself baptized me." He described the activities of the disciples of the Sophists the professional orators who were able to command large audiences, high fees for educating youth, and often a great deal of power within the city. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any one else). Help us to judge these in the light of the cross, and, by its light, to walk before thee. When daylight again appeared, they looked for him with renewed energy but still without success. You may be reminded by his words in Verse10 of the similar passage in his letter to the Philippians where, in Chapter2, he says to that church, "So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord, and of one mind," (Philippians 2:1-2 RSV). I personally experienced this at work about a year and a half ago. Weve seen how important unity was to the apostle Paul. In conjunction with this, some people were questioning Pauls character and authority ( 1 Corinthians 14 ). There was extreme competition among the orators for honor and power. That is why Paul calls us back to it. We go back to the Lord alone. They did not try to hide the problems. Yes, we have the core beliefs that most Christians will agree upon, but the rest is still very confusing to non-believers. We tend to fall out along doctrinal lines or because we are drawn to one charismatic pastor over another. 4-The churchs failure to discipline. Paul, however, was a good leader. Conclusion. Paul rejects this disunity, telling the church members to focus on Christ. The word divisions comes from the Greek word schismata, from which we get our English word schism. Her nose is bloody! Like Greg, I recognize this tension in some of the churches I have served in and find it appalling (1 Corinthians 3:18-19). 1-False prophets (2 Corinthians 11:13). WebThe members of the Corinthian church we disunited because they were pledging their allegiance to human leaders rather than God. 4-The churchs failure to discipline. I would like to approach it from an evangelistic standpoint. Lovelessness among Christians is not a light thing.. They will not all be the same flavor; they will not all have the same characteristics. This division in the church was over their own selfish ambitions evidenced in what they wanted. When everybody decides to put the things of Christ first, and is willing to suffer loss that the honor and glory of Christ might be advanced, that is what brings harmony in a congregation. Will we do so by the strength which God alone can and will supply? There is not a single Christian teacher who ever lived who can help us be forgiven one single sin, not one. Phillip J. Because I am a little defensive it seems like they are almost my enemy. His dissertation was published as Jesus the Bridegroom by Pickwick Books in 2012. We see similar situations today, with political debates often devolving into a shouting match in which the person who yells their opinion the loudest and the longest is the winner. Alexandria was a center for learning and philosophy. Religious snobs want to be a part of a small group who While there can be problems with some (no recognised leadership, disorganised, isolated, cultishness, lack of cohesion etc) they can also produce some of the strongest disciples Ive seen for many years, and yet, they could easily claim to be that fourth division like the one at Corinth the I am of Christ division, where they have no name (no favoured preacher/teacher) but are still divided off. So they said, "When Peter came, we really felt that we were on solid ground. (Peter, evidently, had been through Corinth and had preached there.) Sermon 5: Who is the Most Important? The Protestant Reformation had its beginnings in 1517 (see Chapter 1 0). 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. On a large jigsaw puzzle of a thousand pieces or more, its almost impossible to put it together upside down! He had received a report from the household of Cloe that there were quarrels among the members of the Corinthian church. In other words, there must be agreement with Christ, with His will, and with His Word. Paul gives the church a stern warning about their actions and the proper way to participate. That is why we have four gospels, because not even one of the disciples who was with the Lord was capable of giving us a complete enough view of Christ. Lovelessness among Christians is not a light thing.. All are mere teachers; there is only one Lord. 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. However, I would like to approach this in a different way than the comments already present here. 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. WebThe Christians at Corinth were dividing the church by pledging their loyalties to different celebrities. Paul gives the church a stern warning about their actions and the proper way to participate. Every Navigator had to have a Scofield Reference Bible; that was the only "Authorized Version." It is possible that these divisions represent competing house churches, some founded by Paul, some by Apollos. The elders should make their decisions with the same mind and the same judgment. Luke says in Acts 4:12, And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men, by which we must be saved. The ground is level at the cross. Now, you do not have to be very old to recognize that that is still a problem in the church. I hang on every word you say. Divisions never really ended with Pauls letters; they just appear to have evolved into having more sophisticated names. A. I understand the fact that people have different beliefs and would like to stick to those (it is good to sick to what you believe) but when you get so segregated that you cannot work together anymore, it becomes a serious problem. The Lords Supper was affected by the divisions between rich and poor and an overall general misunderstanding. I'm nobody, just like you!" As a result, this led to the division among Christian converts and to the Christian community as a whole. He gathers disciples and establishes a church, a meeting place for educating his disciples. They embraced the values of their Roman society, which divided over ethnicity (e.g., Jews vs. Gentiles) and social rank (wise vs. foolish, powerful 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.. But when each piece is fitted together into its proper place in the puzzle, you have a beautiful and complete picture. In fact, these divisions are a sign of worldliness. They were caused by Cliques (1:12; 3:4). Paul rejects this disunity, telling the church members to focus on Christ. 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). With Pauls harsh criticism of said divisions, you would think that we might have learned how to move beyond that in the 21st Century, however, that is not the case. So rather that detailing their accomplishments as orators, Paul describes their functions (Paul planted, Apollos watered, etc.) It wasnt even about secondary doctrine (the second coming, the nature of baptism). (1Corinthians 1:12 RSV), Now, there was the trouble at Corinth. How important was unity to our Lord Jesus Christ? Their divisions, lack of church discipline, lawsuits, abuse of Christian liberty and over-emphasis of the gift of tongues, all illustrate this root problem. They became symbols of prestige and standing that became divisive factors among the men. They failed to take seriously the power of evil; their behavior caused divisions in the church and led to a lack of concern for other members. The members started to develop division following different leaders. Paul enters this world of wretched Sophists and preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Then there were the stylists, those who were attracted by the different kinds of preaching, and they had especially been drawn to Apollos. Paul doesnt want these divisions to continue, so he offers them an alternative. Paul goes right on, in Verse12, 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." For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, and whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. You and I cant have more of the Lord Jesus Christ, but we can give Him more of ourselves, and experience more fully what is already ours as children of God. The cross of Christ cuts across all human value systems. Whenever this attitude of gathering around a man is allowed to perpetuate itself, it is the source of much trouble and difficulty. 3- The presence of an immoral member. One of the celebrities was Paul himself some believers at Corinth actually claimed to be his followers. The Corinthian church had many problems, and most of them were the result of pride and placing so much emphasis on social status. What he says we'll listen to, not Paul or Peter or anyone else -- it makes no difference to us." If someone comes on preaching the doctrines that were emphasized during the Reformation, he will get a great following of people who think that the Reformation was the whole sum and substance of all great Christian truth. This is really what is behind his disclaimer on baptism in 1 Cor 1:14-16. WebThe Christians at Corinth were dividing the church by pledging their loyalties to different celebrities. WebAccording to Paul, the communitys problems were the consequence of the Corinthians mistaken belief that they had already been exalted. But first, it is very clear that he is deeply troubled by this. It is possible, though, that the divisions among These were not schisms yet; they had not split off into other congregations, but there were four cliques, or factions within the congregation. 17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospelnot with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. One of his biggest goals is to double our congregation so we have 5,000 members. 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). Doesnt He deserve better than this? the author asks. 6-Members defiling the Lords Supper. Public arguments were commonplace in the Greco-Roman world at the time that Paul was writing to the Corinthian church. As a young Christian in my early twenties during World WarII, I was stationed in Hawaii, and I became acquainted with the work of the Navigators. The congregation then is to submit to the elders because it has confidence that their decisions were made under the Holy Spirits direction and power. WebPaul rebukes the Corinthians because there are divisions and quarrels in the church. We do not know who the people were who belonged to the house of Cloe, but we must commend them for their courage and devotion. 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. There were: the followers of Paul, the followers of Apollos, the followers of Cephas or Peter, and the followers of Christ. The church at Corinth had divided loyalty to different leaders. 5-Members going to pagan courts to settle disputes. Offshoots had disturbed the church. If I was not raised in a Christian home, I think that I would have the same concerns. Why? One day in Africa, a small boy was lost. They are springing up all over the place, including Downunder (Australia) where I live here in Brisbane. These kinds of things happen when there are divisions in a church. Then not only did they have the Bible, but every Navigator who was anybody at all had to have an index drawn in on the pages of the Bible, a kind of a ladder that gave you a clue to where the books were so that with your thumb you could turn up any book in the Bible almost instantly. Only the Lord Jesus Christ could pay the penalty for our sins because only He is the Son of God. 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.
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what caused divisions in the corinthian church