2/8/17
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
The church at Corinth in the time of the apostle Paul was divided. Sadly, much of modern Christianity suffers from schisms today as well. In the beginning of chapter three we read that these divisions are a sign of immaturity. The Corinthians are acting like whining toddlers, throwing temper tantrums about who is the best.
Where do they claim their superiority? They claim it from the teacher they are following. Are you a follower of Paul? Are you a follower of Apollos? We find this today as people will exalt themselves over others. We are so very willing to claim one heritage or another. I can’t go to a pastors’ gathering without hearing it. People will make comparisons of what seminary they went to, whose teachers were superior, what books they are reading, what podcasts they follow or don’t follow.
This poison spreads to our congregations as well. Which study Bible do you use? Do some people actually listen to that program? How could you use a Bible school curriculum from this publisher, or that publisher? Some are superior because their teens go to a national youth gathering, some are superior because their teens would never lower themselves to go to the same gathering.
Does the shoe fit? It certainly fits the situation in Corinth. What is Paul’s corrective? The New Testament has one message. It teaches on Christ crucified for sinners. It teaches one Church in which the people are gathered in one accord. It teaches one Lord of all who is building his saints together into one body.
Some would try to break down the divisions by avoiding the careful teaching of biblical doctrine. This is a terrible idea. This is what brings divisions about. It is by looking together at the one truth, the truth of God in Christ, which reminds us that Apollos and Paul are simply servants of God. It is by looking together at biblical Christianity that we see that the Lord is one, working for the good of his people in this world. This is our cure. There should be no divisions among us. There may be distinctions, there may be different characteristics, but the Lord has made one Church. Only one.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
The church at Corinth in the time of the apostle Paul was divided. Sadly, much of modern Christianity suffers from schisms today as well. In the beginning of chapter three we read that these divisions are a sign of immaturity. The Corinthians are acting like whining toddlers, throwing temper tantrums about who is the best.
Where do they claim their superiority? They claim it from the teacher they are following. Are you a follower of Paul? Are you a follower of Apollos? We find this today as people will exalt themselves over others. We are so very willing to claim one heritage or another. I can’t go to a pastors’ gathering without hearing it. People will make comparisons of what seminary they went to, whose teachers were superior, what books they are reading, what podcasts they follow or don’t follow.
This poison spreads to our congregations as well. Which study Bible do you use? Do some people actually listen to that program? How could you use a Bible school curriculum from this publisher, or that publisher? Some are superior because their teens go to a national youth gathering, some are superior because their teens would never lower themselves to go to the same gathering.
Does the shoe fit? It certainly fits the situation in Corinth. What is Paul’s corrective? The New Testament has one message. It teaches on Christ crucified for sinners. It teaches one Church in which the people are gathered in one accord. It teaches one Lord of all who is building his saints together into one body.
Some would try to break down the divisions by avoiding the careful teaching of biblical doctrine. This is a terrible idea. This is what brings divisions about. It is by looking together at the one truth, the truth of God in Christ, which reminds us that Apollos and Paul are simply servants of God. It is by looking together at biblical Christianity that we see that the Lord is one, working for the good of his people in this world. This is our cure. There should be no divisions among us. There may be distinctions, there may be different characteristics, but the Lord has made one Church. Only one.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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