1 Corinthians 1:10-17
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.)
For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. (ESV)
In this chapter, Paul addresses the question of unity first.
1. The Plea for Unity
Paul found it necessary to exhort the Corinthians, which means that unity was lacking.
People were attached to the leaders, and the Pharisees had a special claim on Christ, saying that they do not have to learn from other teachers. We must be careful who we follow.
James says that our egoistic selfishness is the biggest source of quarrels and disunity. Selfishness has never brought people together.
In His High Priestly prayer (John 17:1) Jesus asks the Father for Christian unity.
Is it possible for us to speak the same thing? Is God commanding the impossible?
Unity exists where we all stay together, not after those who disagree have left.
Paul calls for no divisions – for our opinions to be subservient to Christ’s opinion.
2. The Principle of Unity
Paul argues from the principle that all believers are one in Christ. As believers we should do nothing that can damage that unity. Since Christ is not divided, we should not be either. Paul wanted the Corinthians to be one in Christ.
People will be put off where there is no unity. Conversely, people will be drawn to where there is a common vision.
3. The Practice of Unity
Paul’s priority was not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel. It should be ours also – that people will all know that God sent Christ to save sinners.
Our mission in church is not to make ourselves comfortable. God has given us a great task to pull us together. This is the major reason for Christian unity.
Unity is essential in proclaiming the Gospel and evangelising the world.
We must pray until this congregation is shaken, as happened in Acts 4.