OUTLINE SIX

DISCERNING THE BODY

Scripture Reading: 1 Cor. 10:14-17; 11:17-22, 27-34; James 5:14-15

1. In 1 Corinthians 11 Paul spoke a strong word to the Corinthians.
   1. In verse 17 Paul said, "You come together not for the better but for the worse."
      1. This indicates that the meeting together of the believers may be a loss instead of a gain.
      2. "For the better" is for profit.
      3. "For the worse" is for loss.
   2. In verse 20 Paul said, "When therefore you come together...it is not to eat the Lord's supper."
   3. In verse 27 Paul said, "Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord."
      1. To eat and drink in an unworthy manner is not to evaluate the significance of the bread and the cup.
      2. To be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord is for one to bring judgment to himself—vv. 29-30.
   4. In verse 29 Paul said, "He who is eating and drinking, eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the body."
2. What was Paul's reason for such strong words?
   1. The Corinthians were coming to the table in a situation of divisions—v. 18.
      1. There were also parties, sects, among them—v. 19.
      2. There is a difference between a division and a sect.
         1. A sect is stronger than a division.
         2. When a division is formed, it becomes a sect.
         3. When a sect is named, it becomes a denomination.
   2. The Corinthians were also profaning the Lord's table; that is, they were making it common, the same as any other type of eating—vv. 21-22.
3. The basic principle of the church, the Body of Christ, is oneness—Eph. 4:4-6.
   1. When the oneness is damaged, the Body is divided.
   2. Divisions damage the Body of Christ with respect to the carrying out of God's administration.
      1. Divisions among Christians not only paralyze the Body but even cause the Body to be cut into pieces.
      2. In order that God's administration may be carried out, we must care for the oneness of the Body of Christ; having such a concern will preserve us in the Body and keep us from division.
      3. In Corinth the oneness was damaged.
         1. When differing opinions come in (e.g., concerning baptism), they will develop unless they are checked.
            1. The development will lead to the formation of sects within the Body.
            2. Eventually the development will lead to denominations—e.g., immersion (Baptist), sprinkling (Presbyterian).
         2. The Corinthians were saying that they were of Paul, of Peter, of Apollos, and of Christ.
            1. They had formed sects but not denominations.
            2. Being of Paul, Peter, Apollos, or Christ in a sectarian way annulled the Lord's table.
         3. Some among the Corinthians were approved—1 Cor. 11:19.
            1. "Approved" means tested that the specifications have been met.
            2. In this verse, to be approved is not to be involved in any sect or division.
   
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