Divisions in the church

[EricH]

This passage (1:10-2:16) in 1 Corinthians actually answers the question that you ask.

1. He outlines the nature of the divisions (verses 12-17). Namely, that the Church in Corinth is experiencing a 'party system" with individual aligning themselves with personalites, and some even claiming a higher spiritual ground that they are "of Christ" as opposed to the others (verse 12)

2. In 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16 Paul outlines the basic reasons that the divisions have occured:

A. A misunderstanding and failure to appreciate the true message of the Cross (1:18-2:5)

It appears that some had looked to "signs" and some to "worldly wisdom" as evidence of the power of God. Paul counters that it is the message of the Cross and Jesus crucified that is the true power of God. This goes against what is intuitive to people and will seem foolish. But when people seek signs and wisdom it causes them to align themselves with personalities that can provide these

B. A misunderstanding of the ministry of the Holy Spirit (2:6-16) -

It appears that some had beeen trying to gain access to God's wisdom through the "spirit of the world". They did this by trusting the "rulers of this age" for knowledge about God.

Paul indicates that the only way we can know about God is to consult someone who knows His mind (just like the only way to know what a man is thinking is to ask him). The Holy Spirit is the only one who knows the thoughts and depths of God. When we trust in the wordly system to understand God, we will align ourselves with personalities who claim they have access.

In chapter 3, Paul outlines some of the result of this division: stuntes spiritual growth and loss of eternal reward.

[Kabowd]

Diversity doesn't equal division.

[Leonard]

Hey, if everybody just agreed with ME, there wouldn't be any problem.

[Yahsway]

1 Corinthians 11:18

For first of all, when you come togethere as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.

19: For there MUST BE also factions among you, so that those who are approved may be RECOGNIZED among you.

Paul finds it hard to believe that such divisions exist in the body, but he does see a divine purpose in them, revealing who is schismatic and who is true in spirit.

[Arthur Durnan]

Why not permit diversity in unity? All born-again individuals constitute God's Forever Family, do they not, altho we may dress differently, eat differently, speak differently (ie, English, Arabic, etc.). Why underscore "denominations" if the Bigble doesn't? what "denomination" was the Apostle Paul? Where did Andrew attend - Episcopal? Methodist? Presbyterian? What "denomination" did Jesus tell us to follow? Excellent queries.

Let names & sects & parties fall

And Jesus Christ be All in all!

http://arthurdurnan.freeyellow.com

[OneAccord]

Diversity doesn't equal division.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Here's what Jesus had to say about denominations or diversity among His followers:

Mark 9:38 Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us."

39 But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.

40 "For he who is not against us is on our side.

[other one]

[quote name='Bro David

[gypc]

Rom 14: 1Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. 2One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. 4Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

5One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. 8If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.