Divison

The last few and the next few posts will continue to focus on the DNA of the first century local church. When looking at the unity of the Jerusalem church in Acts and the results of their fiery spirit— we have to make the comparison to churches today. What is so different? Several things. The most obvious is the opposite of unity— division.

Every letter of the New Testament in some way mentions division and that we should never tolerate it. Even the 12 apostles were divided on more than one occasion…with a perfect leader.  Saved or unsaved, where there are humans, there will be division.

This is inexcusable for the believer who would be a disciple of Christ.  Believers have an option— the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is there to confront our flesh and remind us of who we are and who He is! He does so by the Word of God, which He authored.  2 Timothy 3.16a says— “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…”It is from God therefore good for us (profitable).  2 Timothy 3.16b continues— “…and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

The Word of God is profitable for: 

1. Doctrine (teaching)
2. Reproof (confrontation/conviction)
3. Correction (correction based upon the reproof)
4. Instruction (discipline/change)

These 4 points work in harmony, and more importantly, in order. There can be no Instruction if there is no course correction made first. There can be no Correction if we do not accept confrontation and allow for conviction first.   There can be no Reproof if we haven’t first been taught (Doctrine) what needs to be confronted.  

In 1 Corinthians 1.10-11 the Apostle Paul begins to address the contentious division within the church in Corinth.  This immediate context goes all the way through the fourth chapter of the book.  As he beings, Paul lays out the same outline as 2 Timothy 3.16b in practice.  He beings by explaining the Doctrine (teaching) In verse 11.  Then the Reproof (confrontation) In verse 12 Paul says specifically what that means (conviction).  Last, in verse 13 Paul offers Correction through the same style Jesus did (questions).   Here, Paul asks: 1) Is Christ divided?  2) Was Paul crucified for you?  3) Were you baptized in the name of Paul?  In verses 14-17 Paul answers question #3 “Were you baptized in the name of Paul?”  Question #2 is answered within verses 18-25 — Was Paul crucified for you?  Ridiculous!  But that is what “hero worship” will do for you!  Choosing one man over another or one leader over another is division as stated here in this text. They had hero worshipped: Paul, Apollos and Cephas (Peter) and it caused crippling division.  Question #1 is what I want to focus on now.  It is answered within verses 10-12 “Is Christ divided?”.  The answer:Yes He is!  His local body then and now is!  Doesn’t that make Him look dysfunctional. 

Notice the questions and Paul’s discussion… Baptism was the medium used for division.    Worship participants and worship style are also mentioned as mediums of division later in this book.  That’s the thing!  It can be anything.  Any medium can be used for division, but it isn’t the medium that is divisive.  Today churches are afraid of things that may be divisive.  If we maintain that theory… Do we need to get rid of Baptism because it can be divisive?

Things aren’t divisive, people are!  “divisions” (schismata) —literally means a rent garment; torn; divided.  In verse 11 the word “contentions” (erides) —literally means a readiness to quarrel (a contentious spirit).  In verse 10 Paul said there should be no division. Yet, there was.   Why?  Verse 11 said it was because the people were quarrelsome.  They had a contentious spirit.  Chloe, and his home, were concerned for their church enough to ask for help.  Chloe knew that because they were ready to quarrel—anything could set them off.  There have been and will always be people looking for a reason to gripe, complain, find fault, nitpick, tear apart, and listen/allow those who do such things that destroy. I don’t want to be one of them! In fact, we find a troubling text in Proverbs 17.4— “A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.” The person who “heed”(s) and “gives ear” to the divisive language is just as guilty.  We can stop this by confronting it in ourselves…stop listening!  Be blunt if necessary. The division was confronted by truth. Paul did so as He advocated in 2 Timothy 3 with doctrine, then reproof, then correction, followed up with instruction. Again, the division is dividing the body of Christ.  That should be a top-shelf priority for His disciples.

Why do people do this? Carnality is the answer Paul gives in chapter 3 of 1 Corinthians. Today our self-reflective questions ought to be:  How is my spirituality compared to my carnality? Do I have a contentious spirit?