Do you like everyone at your church? Are there people who you try to avoid? Paul understood the Corinthians to have factions within their church; some were of cultural differences and still some were of bitterness. If Paul was to come to your church would he find the whole congregation abiding in the unity of Christ?
Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NKJV)
Unity in a church is highly important and yet because we live in a society which shreds relationships, division creeps into our churches.
The way people look, the way people talk, the things people say, even their race, influences emotions which all have learned as they grew up. Add to this religious backgrounds, schools attended, and financially stability, you will find people can support the church, but often not each other. Paul is encouraging this church to get their divisions under control and support each other.
Corinth had cultural differences inside their church. There were Greeks, Romans, and Jews and many times they would have to answer questions of how the church would address cultural manors and customs.
A good attitude is to appreciate cultural differences, attempt to understand them, and experience the richness it bring to life; for God made us all different. As long as we stay doctrinally sound, cultural flair should draw us closer to God through seeing the relationship of others to God.
There were also issues of spiritual pride. The Jews could easily say their relationship to God was superior, being God led their people for thousands of years prior to Jesus Christ. Their very name reflected God's view of their people; the name Jew means “praise.”
The Jews were to be a praise to God and in their history, they were the keepers of the scriptures. It was also true Jesus was a Jew. So it would be very easy for the Jewish believers to feel superior to Greeks or Romans.
Spiritual pride is putrid to God! In the carnal world, a person is told to be proud of their accomplishments, but God knows pride breeds division. The spiritual proud should know better than to be spiritually proud; for in the Old Testament book of Proverbs we are told that pride breeds contention and pride goes before a fall. There is even passage which says God hates pride.
A man's pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor. Proverbs 29:23 (NKJV )
For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 1 Corinthians 1:11-13 (NKJV)
Paul had received letters about this very problem and he addresses it directly.
There were those boasting about who taught them and baptized them. They were positioning themselves for church offices and to receive respect in the congregation. This still happens today.
I’ve experienced this same pride when a person goes to Bible college. Just because they went to school does not mean they should lead or even teach in the church. God raises up those who He wants to lead. Going to Bible school is not a formula to become a pastor. Yet this is a problem which exists in the church today.
Respect for a person because of their educational back ground, number of years in the congregation, or the amount they have given to the church, is not criteria for selecting leaders, teachers, or evangelists.
I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. 1 Corinthians 1:14-17 (KJV)
Our churches need to have men and women leading because they are called by God. They are selected through much prayer, not by credentials. These represent the word of God by the way they live their life.
Some people see the church as having a hierarchy. They see the pastor at the top, supported by elders, and the elders supported by deacons. In these churches a person must start at the bottom and work their way up; which leads to positioning and politics. Yet the church was not meant to be so.
A person's gift and God's selection, is to be the only criteria for selecting leadership. Therefore, should a person greatly gifted come into a church, the church needs to recognize the work of God and make room for it. This may mean some may be chosen over others, according to their gift and the power of God moving on the hearts of the leadership.
Yet in Corinth these had problems accepting each other and it was causing factions to rise inside the church, with arguments over who was able to lead.
Paul preached the gospel of Jesus Christ and wanted no church divisions to damper his efforts.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NKJV)
If the gospel is foolishness to those who are perishing, how much more is the sight of bickering and division inside the church? The enemy is active trying to stop the message of the cross and we need not be used to cast a shadow on it.
A servant is called by God and through prayer raised to position. If we have the right person in the right position, we will see the power of God in our churches.
The opposite is true also, where there the power of God is lacking, you will see hints of division and pride. Paul was eager to end division, and pride, for every person is the same; no matter who taught them, what their job is, or where they come from. These are leaders called by God.
