Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and thatnthere be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.  (11) For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.  (12) 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.” (13) Is Christ divided?  was Paul crucified for you?  Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?   (17) 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. 

The letter to the CORINTHIANS was written by the Apostle Paul.  Today we study Paul’s call to them for Christian unity.  Paul points out the ways unity has broken down and how divisions contradict the gospel.  Verse 10 sets the standard for unity and the following verses are specific as to deviations from the gospel.   Paul is not asking Christians to agree on ALL things but to be unified in fundamental areas of Christian doctrine.  In Corinth there were divided opinions of certain leaders leading to jealousy and quarrels While In unity Christians will mend relationships and build up spiritual growth – if we still act as children we can easily be deceived.

The focis on personalities in Corinth led to the exclusion of others.  And the focus on personalities was a follower problem, not a leadership problem – it sounds like an unholy devotion to those who are only men.  Loyalties and allegiance to men leads to arrogance and separation – to the sin of PRIDE.  Excluiveness and boasting comes when each group thinks of themselves as being of Christ – and the others following a different leader as NOT being of Christ.

Is salvation divided?  Is salvation the work of man or is it the work of Christ.  These groups were man centered – salvation is Christ centered  and Christ alone. Paul corrects the acrimonious discussion of non essentials and instead requires absolutely unity in essential doctrine   The divisions we study today were distractions from the gospel and were serious considerations.  Today we have strife in the church, home and work place that can only be set aside by the gospel which strikes at the heart of interpersonal conflicts.  I hear over and over: “why can’t we all get along”.  The answer to this question is illustrated in Paul’s message to the Christians at Corinth.