“CHURCH UNITED” 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Last week …In every situation we find ourselves there is something to be thankful for. Last week …In every situation we find ourselves there is something to be thankful for. This week …In every situation we find ourselves there is something to be work at. This week …In every situation we find ourselves there is something to be work at.

10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: one of you says, ‘I follow Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Cephas’; still another, ‘I follow Christ.’ 10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: one of you says, ‘I follow Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Cephas’; still another, ‘I follow Christ.’

13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptised in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I did not baptise any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptised in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptised the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptised anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptise, but to preach the gospel – not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptised in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I did not baptise any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptised in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptised the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptised anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptise, but to preach the gospel – not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

v. 10 “I appeal … no divisions.” v. 10 “I appeal … no divisions.” First he charges them to have a united witness. First he charges them to have a united witness. Secondly, he adds his request for peace: “that there may be no “divisions” ( schismata, literally “tears” or “cracks”). Secondly, he adds his request for peace: “that there may be no “divisions” ( schismata, literally “tears” or “cracks”).

v. 11 “…There are quarrels.” v. 11 “…There are quarrels.” I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them (Romans 16:17) I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them (Romans 16:17)

v. 12 “I Follow …Paul/Peter/Apollo/ Christ.” v. 12 “I Follow …Paul/Peter/Apollo/ Christ.” The Corinthian church was divided into at least four groups, each having its own emphasis, following its own leader, and acting in bitterness to the other three. The Corinthian church was divided into at least four groups, each having its own emphasis, following its own leader, and acting in bitterness to the other three.

In the social sciences, a clique is a group of people who interact with each other more regularly and intensely than others in the same setting. In the social sciences, a clique is a group of people who interact with each other more regularly and intensely than others in the same setting.

v. 13 “Is Christ divided?” v. 13 “Is Christ divided?” Paul quickly destroys the idea of such differences. This he does by asking two questions by which he denies that Paul was crucified for them and that they were baptised in his name. Paul quickly destroys the idea of such differences. This he does by asking two questions by which he denies that Paul was crucified for them and that they were baptised in his name.

vv. 14–16 “I did not baptise any of you..” The Corinthian believers had no reason to depend on baptism because Paul had baptised so few of them. The Corinthian believers had no reason to depend on baptism because Paul had baptised so few of them.

v. 17 “Preach the gospel.” Paul’s major task was preaching the Gospel of Christ Paul’s major task was preaching the Gospel of Christ

W HAT ? Cliques & personality cults are out of place in the church. W HAT ? Cliques & personality cults are out of place in the church. W HY ? Christians are not followers of personalities but followers of Christ. W HY ? Christians are not followers of personalities but followers of Christ. H OW ? Make the Gospel the church’s no.1 priority. H OW ? Make the Gospel the church’s no.1 priority. W HAT I FS ? The nearer we come to Christ: the nearer we come together. W HAT I FS ? The nearer we come to Christ: the nearer we come together.

“CHURCH UNITED” 1 Corinthians 1:10-17