In the tenth verse we see a marked change of tone. Paul plunges right into the heart of the practical problems that were affecting this church: the problem of divisions within the church. This might have concerned Paul the most because he knew that divisions in the church are the most threatening to the life of the church and its mission in the world. Jesus once said, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand." Mt 12:25

"I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought." v.10

"all of you agree with one another " and "be perfectly united in mind and thought."

"united in mind and thought (judgement)"

Not synonyms for the same thing

What you think about things and the practical judgments you make as a result.

The view taken by the understanding, and the practical decision arrived at as to what is to be done.

How can people be expected to agree on things they disagree on?

One person believes two plus two equals three, while another believes two plus two equals five. How can they be expected to believe the same thing when in fact they do not?

They both cannot be right. They both may be wrong. One may be right and the other wrong.

By both of them being committed to a search for the truth, they will hold their ideas tentatively and provisionally, open to the possibility of more light. The truth needs to be more important than what I believe. I am willing to give way to the truth when it is discovered.

Make it your goal to "agree with one another" = two translations: "cultivate a spirit of harmony."

Strive for harmony, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Rom 12:18

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ro 15:5-6

"so that there may be no divisions among you"

"My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 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.” v.11-12

The four factions

They had nothing to do with these divisions. There were no dissensions between them. Without their knowledge and without their consent their names had been appropriated by these Corinthian factions.

"I follow Paul" The educated man

Those converted under his ministry and those who appreciated his serious approach to teaching.

"I follow Apollos" The eloquent man

People followed him because of his dynamic preaching, his obvious culture, polish, and style.

"I follow Cephas" The famous man

Cephas was Peter's name in Hebrew

He was the leader of the apostles. He had known the Lord Jesus personally and intimately.

This faction disliked Paul and accused him of not even being an apostle.

"I follow Christ." The better man

May have been those who came from Palestine and once were followers and disciples of Jesus himself.

They said this out of pride and arrogance attempting to put the others down.

To say this is to say that "Christ is mine and not yours."

"Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? 14 I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) v.13-16

There was a group of people who were following Paul and holding him up too high. To them he gives three reasons that they are wrong in elevating him above others and thus causing division.

"Is Christ divided?"

(can we give a little bit of him to each group?)

"Was Paul crucified for you?"

(should not look more highly of any man then the savior?)

No human leader, not even an apostle, should be given the loyalty that belongs only to the Lord. He was their father in the faith, but not their savior.

"Were you baptized into the name of Paul?"

(am I to be the rally point of your faith in God?)

He even said that he baptized very few people "so no one can say that you were baptized into my name." v.15

Baptism was important, but usually done by others.

John 4:2 Tells us that Jesus didn't baptized people but his disciples did.

In the early church, it was the role of the deacons in the church to baptize.

"It is wrong to identify any man’s name with your baptism other than the name of Jesus Christ. To do so is to create division. I have read accounts about people who had to be baptized by a certain preacher, using special water (usually from the Jordan River), on a special day, as though these are the matters that are important! Instead of honoring the Lord Jesus Christ and promoting the unity of the church, these people exalt men and create disunity." Wiersbe

"There are quarrels among you": "contentions or dissensions" v.11

Not merely differences of opinion, but those differences had degenerated into quarrels.

There was squabbling, rivalries, and lawsuits. Different cliques and factions.

"your meetings do more harm than good" 11:17

Why was this happening?

Paul latter tells us

"Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly (carnal or fleshly) -mere infants in Christ (v.1). . . "For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? For when one says, I follow Paul, and another, I follow Apollos, are you not mere men?" 1 Co 3:3-4

They were responding to the wrong promptings

What they were doing was following the instincts of the fallen nature instead of the promptings of the Spirit which is always towards Christ-like love.

Quarreling and divisiveness is always a sign of carnality

We are told to avoid such a person, "Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him." Tit 3:10

We are told to use quarrelling as an alert to oneself that something is wrong spiritually within

"The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, dissensions, factions." Ga 5:19-21

Contrasted with, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Ga 5:22-23

J There is a child's game in the arcade at Seaside where you stand in front of this big box with a spongy mallet hammer in your hand.