From 1 Corinthians 1-4
The Corinthian church has problems. No church is perfect, but not all of the churches have problems like this. I will use these few blogs on the Corinthian church to highlight how Paul deals with problems in the church.
This post is part of my bible in a year series.
Passage and Comments
The Corinthian church has problems. No church is perfect, but not all of the churches have problems like this. I will use these few blogs on the Corinthian church to highlight how Paul deals with problems in the church.
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. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” (1 Cor 1.10-12)
This is the first problem Paul describes. The church has divisions and follow different people. Perhaps what they perceive to be different teachings. They are not united.
13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Cor 1.13)
Christ was crucified for them. They were baptized into the name of Jesus Christ.
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Paul is thankful he didn’t baptise a lot of people. Not because baptism is bad. Rather in the present situation that may have become more of a distraction. Paul points instead to the wisdom of the gospel.
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Cor 1.20-24)
Words for believers
The message of the cross is one element that is at the core of the gospel. We preach Jesus as Christ. This same Jesus was crucified.
Unfortunately believers have been split on various beliefs throughout the two millennia since Jesus died and rose again.
I wonder if the answer to Paul’s question is ‘yes, Christ is divided’.
This answer should sadden us and convict us to draw believers back to the core truths of the gospel.
Jesus died. Jesus was raised on the third day. Jesus is the Christ. Jesus will come again to judge the quick and the dead. All who believe in his name receive forgiveness of sins. This is the power and wisdom of God.
Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2014. All Rights Reserved.
