Unity in the Church1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Introduction

Unity is necessary in the church vs. 10-16

Paul pleads for unity vs. 10a

I beseech you

That word beseech means to entreat or implore

Brethren

Again this letter wasn’t to a universal body of believers it was sent to the church at Corinth a local New Testament Church

by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ

The authority of the plea is found in the all powerful name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is the 10th time Jesus’ name was mentioned in chapter one. In just a few verses we will see why Paul was so intentional with the use of the name Jesus

Jesus has the power to bring unity in the church. The church is an amazing thing as it is made up with different personalities, different backgrounds, but God brings unity to all of our differences through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s explanation of the plea vs. 10b

That ye all speak the same thing

As a church we have one message and that is the message of Jesus Christ

There was division in the message that was being taught

When we keep the main thing the main thing their is unity in the message that Jesus left for the church to proclaim

That their be no divisions among you

The word division means schisms

Psalm 133:1–3 “1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, That ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: That went down to the skirts of his garments; 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: For there the Lord commanded the blessing, Even life for evermore.”

Romans 16:17 “17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”

Be perfectly joined together

In the same mind

This is the internal

Philippians 2:5 “5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”

Philippians 3:15 “15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.”

2 Corinthians 13:11 “11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”

In the same judgement

This is the external

In our individual minds and among ourselves we are to be one in beliefs, standards, attitudes and principles of spiritual living

Paul explains the division vs. 11-13

It was declared (made known) to Paul that their was contention (strife in words; debate; quarrel) among them by the house of Chloe

The house of Chloe was likely a prominent family in the church at Corinth that either wrote or went to see Paul to tell him of the division in Corinth

Their was division in who they were following

Some were of Paul.

Remember Paul was the founder and the first pastor of this church and he spent a year and a half there.

There was a group in the church that followed Paul more than they followed Christ.

Some would be flattered, but Paul was concerned

Some of Apollos

Apollos was the second pastor there at Corinth

Acts 18:24–19:1 “24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. 27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: 28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. 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,”

There were some in the church that followed Apollos more than they followed Christ

Some of Cephas

Cephas was another name for Peter John 1:42 “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.”

There was some in the church that followed Peter more than they followed Christ

Some of Jesus

This is obviously the right answer, Christ is the head of the church and the Pastor is the under shepherd. As a pastor we must point people to Christ not ourselves.

From the look of Paul’s rebuke they had the right answer but the wrong spirit

As believers we must follow Christ and not man, remember anything with more than one head is a monster.

Paul asks questions to emphasize the problem vs. 13

Is Christ divided?

2 Corinthians 11:4 “4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”

Ephesians 4:1–7 “1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”

There should be a resounding no from the church

Was Paul Crucified for you?

Did Paul cry out “It is finished” or was that The Lord Jesus Christ

Were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

No they were baptized in the name of the father, the son and the Holy Ghost.

All of these questions should have been answered no

Paul shares the priority vs 14-17

Notice Paul only baptised a few people and he is thankful because people might have said he baptized in his own name

In Verse 17 he shares the purpose God had given him

Baptism is part of the great commission, but it is not necessary for Salvation.

Paul wasn’t sent to baptize, but to preach the gospel

Acts 26:16–18 “16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

We don’t need to dress up the gospel with man’s wisdom, but we need to preach the Gospel

Conclusion

As believers we must strive to keep unity in the church and we do that by being unified in our message which is the gospel.