Is Christ divided?
Searching the Scriptures
David A. Bass, Rockford Church of Christ
In I Corinthians chapter one we read, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye
be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared
unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions
among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of
Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the
name of Paul?” (I Corinthians 1:10-13).
Obviously, there were some serious problems within the church in the city of Corinth! It appears that the church was being splintered by parties (divisions). Some were wanting to follow Paul, others Apollos or Cephas (Peter).
The apostle Paul urges unity and then strongly condemns their party spirit with biting irony and ridicule. Notice the sarcasm in his questions. “Is Christ divided?” Of course not; then why are you divided? “Was Paul crucified for you?” Certainly not. Then why look to him as your leader? “Were ye baptized in the name of Paul” Of course not! Then why call yourselves a follower of Paul (a Paulite)?
Perhaps Paul’s question is especially appropriate and challenging in light of the many hundreds of denominations (divisions) with their conflicting creeds and doctrines. “Is Christ divided?”
In Matthew 16:18 Jesus promised, “. . .upon this rock I will build my church;. . .” Notice, dear reader, Jesus spoke in the singular. He promised to build O-N-E church, not many churches!
In Acts 2:47 we read that “the Lord added to the church.” Throughout the New Testament we only
read of one church!
This idea is set forth repeatedly in the scriptures. I Corinthians 12:20 reads, “But now are they many members, yet but one body.”
We also read in Romans 12:4,5, “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” The body is the church!
Paul wrote, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:18). Notice, the body is the church; the church is the body.
Once again we read, “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all” (Ephesians 1:22,23).
Next time, Lord willing, we will continue this most important thought! Dear reader, please read these passages with an open heart and mind. May I encourage you to “search the Scriptures!”
Send your questions or comments to: Dabass1962@bellsouth.net.
