CHAPTER SIX

DIVISION DAMAGING
THE ONENESS OF THE BODY

Scripture Reading: 1 Cor. 1:10-13; 3:3-4; 4:6; 11:17, 29-30, 19; 12:24-25; Eph. 4:2; Rom. 16:17; Titus 3:10; Lev. 13:45-46; Num. 12:10-15.

OUTLINE

1. Divisions being among the Corinthians—1 Cor. 1:10:
1. All not speaking the same thing.
2. Not being attuned in the same mind and in the same opinion.
3. Having, rather, jealousy and strife—1 Cor. 1:11; 3:3.
4. Making parties by saying, I am of Paul, I am of Apollos, I am of Cephas, and I am of Christ—1 Cor. 1:12.
2. Such divisions being condemned by the apostle's teaching:
1. Being fleshly and walking according to man—1 Cor. 3:3-4.
2. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?—1 Cor. 1:13.
3. Being puffed up on behalf of the one, against the other—1 Cor. 4:6.
3. Such divisive ones coming together to take the Lord's table not for the better (not for profit) but for the worse (for loss)—1 Cor. 11:17:
1. Not discerning the bread as a symbol of the Lord's physical body that needs to be regarded by them.
2. Not discerning the bread as a symbol of the Lord's mystical Body that requires them to keep the oneness of the Body of Christ.
3. Eating judgment to themselves—1 Cor. 11:29.
4. Because of this, many among them being weak and sick, and a number sleeping—1 Cor. 11:30.
4. Parties of division manifesting those in the church life who are approved—1 Cor. 11:19.
5. Having the same care for all the members to avoid division in the Body—1 Cor. 12:25.
6. No base, no reason, no excuse, no justification, and no vindication for any kind of division.
7. Always remember: there is no way for the members of the Body of Christ to be legitimately divided in the Body of Christ!
8. All problems can and should be solved through proper and adequate fellowship by praying together sincerely and thoroughly:
1. By seeking the Lord's solution with an open spirit, a pure heart, a lowly mind, and a meek attitude—Eph. 4:2.
2. According to the teaching of the Scriptures properly interpreted, not understood by taking them out of context.
3. Without self-interest; the entire pursuit being for the Lord's glory and for the benefit of the Lord's recovery.
4. No parties or divisions formed for backing in partiality, threatening, and/or challenging others.
9. Dealing with divisive members:
1. Turning away from division-makers—Rom. 16:17.
2. Rejecting factious, sectarian, members—Titus 3:10.
3. Practicing the quarantining of the lepers in typology—Lev. 13:45-46; Num. 12:10-15.