How do you feel when squabbling or arguments arise at your workplace, at a club or organization you are a part of, or even within your family? Do you pick a side and join in the argument, or sit quietly, trying not to get involved? Or perhaps you try to make peace between the sides. Being in a climate of tension is not pleasant for most people, and when we find it in our churches, not only does it make for an unconducive atmosphere for worship, but it is also a very poor testimony for the unsaved world. In our Scripture passage today, continuing in the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth, he addresses this issue which has developed among the believers there.
Corinth was a large port city that brought business and trade from all parts of the Mediterranean world. Paul had spent many months witnessing and preaching there, and had begun the church in Corinth. Now, several years later, he hears that major arguments and contentions are occurring, splitting the believers into several factions. One of the issues that the Corinthian church was squabbling over was who their favorite preacher was (vs. 11-13). Some in that church claimed the Apostle Peter (Cephas) as their favorite. He was one of the chief leaders of the early church, the unspoken leader of the original twelve apostles of Jesus. Some of the Corinthians felt he was the preacher to follow. Others liked one of their own local Greek preachers named Apollos. A few claimed their favorite as Paul, himself, the one who first brought the Gospel message to their city. Then there were some who didn’t want to be part of this squabbling, who didn’t claim any particular preacher as their favorite, and who wanted ultimately to follow only the Lord Jesus.
Unfortunately such type of dissention still exists today in many churches and Christian groups. People get in disputes over their favorite Christian authors, TV evangelists, and Christian radio stations. Congregations get into arguments over who should be their music leader, or what material should be used for the Sunday School classes. Paul wrote that this is something that should not be happening among fellow believers. No Christian preacher, author, or musician should be elevated or given the loyalty that belongs to Jesus. Doing that only leads to contentions, disputes, and a divided church rather than Christian unity among believers, something that Jesus prayed for in John 17:11-23. We ought not to let our appreciation for any preacher or teacher lead us into contention with others, or divide us (vs. 10). Our allegiance should be to Jesus Christ and the unity in His Body.
How can there be unity among believers when we come from different backgrounds and cultures, have different temperaments and different interests, etc.? We can accomplish this by holding fast and strong to sound doctrine. Sound Scriptural doctrine, such as the Virgin birth of Jesus Christ, His substitutionary death on the Cross for our salvation, the inerrancy of the Bible, is the foundation for church unity. A weak commitment to doctrine destroys unity and weakens the church.
Some of the believers in Corinth were claiming loyalty to the one preacher who had baptized them. Paul taught that this shouldn’t be the case, and that he is thankful that he had only baptized a few there (vs. 14-16). Paul isn’t minimizing the importance of baptism. However, that was not his ministry. Paul’s ministry was to preach the Gospel, to evangelize. Others were to pastor the churches he established. No one person should be doing everything. God doesn’t call just one person to do everything. He gives each of us certain gifts, talents, and abilities, and we should use those gifts and abilities areas best suited for them. Christian ministry should be a team effort, where everyone is serving in areas best suited for them.
Paul was called to bring the message of Jesus to others. One doesn’t need to be a great orator to preach the Gospel (vs. 17). The power of salvation is in the message, not the messenger. When Christians are in harmony with each other, it is a testimony to the world, and will help in spreading the message of Jesus.
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