Many lamps, one light

1  Corinthians 1:10-18 (NIV)

Divisions in the Church

10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos;” another, “I follow Cephas;” still another, “I follow Christ.”

13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Elsewhere Paul is more explicit about the “types of ministries” in the church. In Roman’s 12:6-8, the diversity of gifts are identified as prophesy, ministry (serving), teaching, exhortation, giving, ruling and showing mercy. I have often envisioned all 140 churches in Loudoun working in unison for the greater glory of God and operating through His will. Everyone would have a powerful desire to serve God, model Jesus’ teachings and provide an example to others so they too can serve God! Through hard work and commitment, each individual would supply an added measure of determination, skill and teamwork for glorifying God.

None of us need to study this situation in Corinth in order to comprehend that this same scenario has been repeated in every generation of the Christian Church to this very day. We understand and acknowledge that we are as guilty of our divisions today as the early followers of Jesus were in Paul’s time.

Then the message is that we should celebrate our common identity and mission while acknowledging and providing thanks for our individual ministries without pride or feeling of superiority. And this is the diverse unity we are all called to perform. This is applicable to congregations and also to the entire Body of Christ, divided into denominations and fellowships that are unique in their interpretation of mission and service. However they should be unified in purpose for worship, service and mission.

Our Lord Jesus presented Himself and His gospel message as illustrated in this passage when He said, “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you” [John 6:53]. His life cannot be found in us unless we consume His message. We cannot receive a Savior’s message without a Savior’s life. He made clear that His message was of no value without partaking of His person exactly as God sent Him. We cannot revise His message to placate our secular world. According to Jesus, many may follow Him but not all have His life in them.

Brothers and Sisters, let us continue to network and share our resources to better support this community. As Paul would say, let us greet one another with a holy kiss.