Jesus versus the Apostles?
10I 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. 11For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12What I mean is that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Cephas," or "I follow Christ." 13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 1 Corinthians 1:10-13
The Corinthian Christians were dividing the church of Christ by pitting certain leaders over and against others when there was no reason to. This kind of division was definitely uncalled for. They were puffed up saying things like, "I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Cephas" (1 Cor. 1:12). Confusion had overtaken the church’s understanding of the role of Paul, Apollos and Cephas. Someone was even saying, "I follow Christ" (1 Cor. 1:12) as if that helped the matter.
On the surface though it sounds so spiritual, but even they were wrong. Many of us would look at that and say, “Well, whoever is saying ‘I follow Christ’ is right because we are not supposed to be following men, but only Jesus. Therefore, case dismissed.” It sounds so right and pious, but if that is really the case then why is it that Paul doesn’t argue that way. Instead of affirming the one who said “I follow Christ”, why does he ask “Is Christ divided?” What does he mean by asking that? Paul had in mind that one does not separate Jesus from his Apostles. “Is Christ divided from his Apostles?”
In Matthew 10, Jesus sent out his twelve Apostles to preach and he sent them saying,
“14And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.” Matthew 10:14, 15
And
"Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me” (Matt. 10:40).
The Corinthian Christians were dividing the church of Christ by pitting certain leaders over and against others when there was no reason to. This kind of division was definitely uncalled for. They were puffed up saying things like, "I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Cephas" (1 Cor. 1:12). Confusion had overtaken the church’s understanding of the role of Paul, Apollos and Cephas. Someone was even saying, "I follow Christ" (1 Cor. 1:12) as if that helped the matter.
On the surface though it sounds so spiritual, but even they were wrong. Many of us would look at that and say, “Well, whoever is saying ‘I follow Christ’ is right because we are not supposed to be following men, but only Jesus. Therefore, case dismissed.” It sounds so right and pious, but if that is really the case then why is it that Paul doesn’t argue that way. Instead of affirming the one who said “I follow Christ”, why does he ask “Is Christ divided?” What does he mean by asking that? Paul had in mind that one does not separate Jesus from his Apostles. “Is Christ divided from his Apostles?”
In Matthew 10, Jesus sent out his twelve Apostles to preach and he sent them saying,
“14And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.” Matthew 10:14, 15
And
"Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me” (Matt. 10:40).
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